Okay, I’m Ready. How Do I Get Started?
First, reach out via email, where you’ll be connected with a therapist. If our therapists have availability, you and that therapist will then schedule a brief phone call. During this time, you can share a little about what’s going on and what you’re looking for. You’ll hear a little more about us and the therapy process. You’ll even get into some of the important details, like fees and paperwork. If we feel like the right fit, we will schedule the first appointment. You (the wonderful caregiver) will have a chance to share in more detail about your concerns at the first appointment.
You might enjoy this quick read called “What Therapy Really Is” by Robyn Gobbel. At Wired to Bloom, this aligns with how we see kids!
Before Your First Visit
After we chat on the phone, you’ll receive an email prompting you to fill out some paperwork prior to meeting. This saves us time when we are together and gives you a chance to ask your therapist any questions about the paperwork. Paperwork must be signed by the child’s legal guardian.
Paperwork will be filled out electronically, through the Client Portal. You’ll receive an email asking you to log in and fill it out. The Client Portal is a secure way for us to send messages, fill out paperwork, and check on appointments.
We accept Caresource and self-pay (cash, check, or credit card). If you are wanting to use your insurance, we are more than happy to provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement. It is ultimately your responsibility to know your benefits, so we encourage you to call the number on the back of your card to check on your coverage for out of network services.
We highly encourage to check out Mentaya. Mentaya is a service that helps clients who are seeing an out of network provider to be reimbursed!
The First Appointment (Intake Session)
For this first visit, it’ll be just the caregivers - no tiny humans needed. This is so we have a chance to talk freely and openly about what’s going on without having to worry about little ears. Your therapist will share more about the process and how therapy works, your involvement, and goals for treatment. You can ask all the questions and really get a feel for the therapist. The relationship is vital, so if we don’t feel right to you, please let us know! We are happy to help connect you with another qualified therapist who might be a better fit.
You will then schedule the first appointment with your therapist and your child. We can give you some ideas about how to explain counseling to your child if you’re feeling unsure. Here’s a free resource you can use for some ideas if you’re feeling stuck!
Your Child’s First Appointment
It’s normal for children to be nervous and it’s okay if your child feels shy or unsure. All feelings are welcome in the playroom! Again, we will be able to help you prepare your child for their first visit when we meet. It’s okay if your child may want you in the room for the first session or at least for part of it.
If your child feels ready to play on their own, you’ll be asked to hang out in the waiting room for the duration of the session.
Research tells us that relationships are the agents of change, so we start by building a therapeutic relationship where your child feels safe and secure to open up about their inner wishes, wants, and needs. They are the expert of their world! Every child is motivated differently, so our first effort is put toward recognizing how they interact in the world and their perceptions of what’s happening.
Once we’ve established a secure therapeutic relationship, you and your therapist will meet as adults to talk about initial observations and share ideas that support the goals both at home and in session. We've found that the most meaningful growth happens when we can support the whole family!
With children under 5, caregivers are involved in almost every session and there are regular caregiver only sessions. For our littlest ones, therapy is built around enhancing the parent-child relationship and supporting caregivers to navigate the stressors and challenges of toddlerhood.