Maximizing your 20 Minute Video Consultation with a Child Therapist
/You have spent time searching online for a child therapist in Littleton, CO and have a few that you think might be a good fit for your child and family. Most child therapists offer a brief (15-20 minute) complimentary consultation via phone or video. These consultations do not obligate you to working with that provider. It is your opportunity to share and obtain essential information you will need to make an informed decision about selecting a child therapist.
Questions to ask a child therapist in Littleton, CO during a consultation
Only you know your schedule, budget, and time frame for therapy. Before you begin to share the challenges you and your child have been facing, obtain the following information from a potential child therapist:
Are you accepting new clients?
You can often find this information on the providers website or a directory listing (psychology today, therapyden etc). IF you are unsure if the provider you are reaching out is accepting new clients ask this first! Many child therapists have limited capacity to take on new clients and may have a wait list. Only you know if you can hold on a little bit longer to get started or if you will need a referral to a provider who may have immediate availability for new clients.
Do you have availability for appointments on (day) and (time)?
Families are busy and you need to be upfront about your availability so that the therapist can determine if your availability and theirs line up. Here is where you might consider being little flexible! IF your child is younger (not in school yet) and you have some flexibility in your schedule, it is helpful to consider scheduling sessions during the day. As a child therapist who supports primarily school aged kids, I get it, you want an after school appointment! The reality is every child therapist in Littleton CO has a limited number of sessions available between the hours of 3:00pm-6:00pm. Families often do not want to schedule appointments during school hours however if your child is really having a difficult time and after talking with a prospective therapist the fit feels right- you might have to take a day and time that is less than ideal to start. You also have to take into consideration which days you do not have other after school activities (sports, music lessons, drama class, or other activities) planned. IF you are a family that simply has no wiggle room in day or time then you need to let the therapist know that early in this conversation, no need using up time or trying to bend yourself into a pretzel if the availability simply does not work.
Do you accept insurance, are you an out of network provider, or private pay only?
If you are going to use your insurance to cover some of the cost of therapy then you need to find a therapist that accepts your insurance. You might be able to pay for therapy out of pocket and then you can submit to your insurance company to be reimbursed if you are eligible for out of network benefits. Again get this out of the way upfront.
What is your fee for counseling or play therapy?
I get it (hardly) anyone likes to talk about money but imagine getting to the end of the conversation knowing this is the therapist you want to work with and have your child work with only to realize the fee is more than you can afford. A follow up question to this fee question is to get clear about frequency (how often) and duration (how long) will my child be in therapy to get an idea of your total investment. Typically, sessions are scheduled weekly. Plan for 16-20 sessions up front.
Do you offer in person or telehealth sessions?
Many child therapists now offer both in person and telehealth sessions. Telehealth can be an effective option for child sessions, and parent sessions.
I need a child therapist that will be helpful to my child and family!
PHEW- all the logistical stuff is now out in the open and you can ask questions that get to the heart of why you picked up the phone in the first place! Your follow up questions are likely to be very specific to your child, what you/they have been struggling with, and your family situation. Here are a few you might consider.
How do you involve parents in the therapy process? You may have more specific questions about this depending on your family situation (married, separated, divorced, custody, decision making all factor in here)
What do I tell my kid about going to therapy?
How often do we have an appointment?
What are the next steps?
As you ask these questions I encourage you to trust your instinct. Do you feel settled and calm as the therapist answers your questions (feeling a little anxious about this process is normal so keep that in mind). If you are ready to move forward with an intake let the therapist know that. Intake appointments are one step closer to establishing a therapeutic relationship and alliance. During that intake appointment you will have time to explain more about what has led up to you reaching out for help, share developmental history for your child, family history, and ask any additional questions. Intake is also when the therapist is likely to share more about the therapy process and together you begin to identify some of the goals, interventions and outcomes.
Now you are ready to make that phone call to a potential family or child therapist!
I hope this helps you find the right family or child therapist in Littleton, CO. If you are still feeling stuck, schedule a free 20 minute consultation with a child therapist who would be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with understanding your child’s behaviors and create more ease in your family life, you can read more about how I can help here.