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Questions and Answers
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about our services.
Yes, we offer telehealth and in person appointments.
We do not accept insurance though are able to provide clients with a receipt to submit to their insurance carrier for possible out of network benefits.
Yes, we offer a brief phone consultation at no charge for families interested in learning more about our services before scheduling an initial appointment. This is a great first step to ensure we’re the right fit for your child. Schedule a phone consultation here.
Every child is unique. However, when emotions, thoughts, physical symptoms or behaviors become bothersome or get in the way of what your child needs or wants to do, consultation with a psychologist to discuss treatment options may be helpful.
Some examples may include:
- Increased stress, sadness, moodiness, or worry
- Difficulty going to school or increased push back with going to school
- Decreased desire to spend time with friends or participate in activities they typically enjoy
- Increased family conflict
- Disrupted routines/daily activities
- Difficulty following through with doctor/health care recommendations (such as taking medicine)
Children and adolescents may also benefit from therapy services during times of transition or change. Even normative transitions can often still be challenging for children to navigate. Some examples may include:
- Transitioning to middle school, high school, or college
- Change in social groups and friendships
- Moving
- Change in family dynamics (e.g., new sibling, parent job change, parent separation)
- Coping with a health condition or needing to attend frequent medical appointments
Most therapy sessions last 50 minutes. However, shorter sessions (e.g., 30 minutes) are available for younger children, children with attention difficulties, or parent-only sessions. Therapy services can be adjusted to meet the unique needs of each family.
Some children and families benefit from weekly appointments. Other children meet with a psychologist less frequently, such as every other week or monthly depending on treatment goals. Weekly appointments can be especially helpful at the beginning of therapy because it helps build rapport and trust. At Comprehensive Pediatric Psychology, we work collaboratively with families to find an appointment frequency that aligns with children’s needs and schedule.
Parents play an active role in supporting their children’s health and well-being. Parents are always included in the first appointment (for at least a portion of the time) to review consent and confidentiality and provide background information. The degree of parent involvement in future appointments depends on several factors such as child age and treatment goals.
The first appointment will be somewhat different from subsequent appointments. During the first appointment, we will spend time reviewing consent, privacy, confidentiality, and important practice policies. Dr. Fussner will spend time getting to know your family’s experiences and current concerns. We will collaboratively develop initial treatment goals and discuss possible next steps.
Some children benefit from establishing a long-term therapeutic relationship with a therapist or psychologist. Other children benefit from shorter-term therapy services such as 6-8 sessions.
We will discuss the possible duration of therapy for your child at the first or second appointment when treatment goals and a treatment plan are developed.
A Pediatric Psychologist is a psychologist with a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) that specializes in helping children manage social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges often in the context of a health condition, illness, or injury. Pediatric psychologists have advanced training in pediatric medical conditions which allows them to better support children in understanding and managing their condition as well as the emotional challenges that often arise from health challenges. Pediatric psychologists work with children to promote coping, improve quality of life, and manage their physical health.
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Contact us to learn more about services or request a phone consultation here.