I know that taking the first step toward therapy can be hard. That’s why I’ve put together a list of questions I hear from clients, as well as other resources to support you and your family.
When you’re ready to begin, I’m here to help.
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First, we’ll schedule your free, no obligation 15-20 minute consultation via Zoom or phone call to learn more about each other and your needs and hopes for therapy. I’ll ask you a little bit about your family and the challenges you are navigating, and you can ask me any questions you have about my approach and process. If we decide we’re a good fit, I will share my client portal with you, where you can access documents, e-sign consent forms, and schedule and cancel appointments.
Next, we’ll start with start with a 50-minute intake appointment, where I will meet with adult individuals or parents, in the case of clients seeking child or family therapy. This session is an opportunity to learn more about your unique background, experiences, and challenges and is priced at $185.00.
Lastly, we’ll decide on a timeline that fits best for your needs and schedule. Typically, we’ll plan to schedule weekly appointments for you or your children, with additional parent-only sessions every four to six weeks.
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If you’re new to therapy, that’s okay! I know it can be intimidating to reach out for help, especially as a parent. We’re often afraid of others judging our parenting strategies or the challenges our children are facing.
I’m here to offer a safe space for you and your family – without judgment or shame. My approach is unique and personalized to meet your strengths, lived experience, and needs. In sessions, we’ll play and talk, go at your own pace, and identify and work toward your individualized goals and hopes.
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At the beginning, I prefer that you or your child come every week. This will allow us to get to know each other better and faster. Relationship building at the beginning of therapy is incredibly important for treatment. As our relationship grows and your goals begin to materialize, we can discuss what frequency is more appropriate.
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There is really no straight answer to this question. It will all depend on the client's symptoms, behaviors, and their goals, which we will navgiate together.
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You are paramount to your child’s well being, so absolutely yes. The form this takes will depend on your child, the family, and what brought your child or teen to therapy. This will range from having you in the room with us, to meeting every month or so to discuss progress. You are always welcome to reach out to me and let me know of your concerns or successes along the way. Your child, no matter the age does have a right to confidentiality during treatment. I will honor this confidentiality as long as they are not in danger or a danger to self. You have a right to collaborate in their treatment by being informed of progress, making suggestions, and consulting in regards to parenting or the issues presented.
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Aside from children not yet being able to always identify and verbalize what they are feeling and thinking, children can get overwhelmed when things come too directly at them. Play is a way to expose, express, and understand their struggles in a safe and manageable way. Rest assured that your child is not wasting time and money by playing in therapy. They are doing hard work in the safest way possible.
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This is a complicated question because it depends on their age, why you or your child are seeking help, and why they are reluctant. If there is a serious issue at hand, such as suicidality, drug use, abuse issues, etc., then I suggest you do everything under the sky to help your child, even if that means going against their will. Having said that, I am not the therapist for you if this is the case. There are wonderful therapists, and programs out there that are experts on reluctant youth. I am not one of them. If they don’t want to come because they are not familiar with the process and they need to feel safe and comfortable, I suggest you bring them once or twice, letting them know that they have a choice afterwards of continuing or not.
As parents we may see the need and the possible benefit therapy can have for our children, but if they don’t see the need themselves, what is most likely to happen is that they will waste your time, their time, my time, and your money in the process. The desire to change or heal has to come from within — nobody can force that upon us as adults or children. My suggestion in the case they refuse to continue is that you come for consultation about how to support your child during this difficult period. You have a lot of power and impact on your child regardless of their age. Sometimes minor adjustments at home might be all that’s needed.
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Unfortunately, we do not accept health insurance directly, although we are happy to supply families with documentation necessary for reimbursement by PPO health insurance or medical flexible spending or health savings accounts. Families with HMO or EPO insurance plans should be aware that their plans will not offer reimbursement for services rendered by an out-of-network provider.
Here is some helpful information to know when calling your insurance provider to discuss your options:
Codes 90834, 90837
My name (Cindy Hedlin) and license number (LMFT #147149).
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This is a great question! Yes, I do provide a Good Faith Estimate on my therapy rates, and my practice is HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant to keep you and your information safe. If you’d like, please feel free to explore both policies linked in my website footer.
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Yes! Creating a safe space for you and your child – physically, mentally, and emotionally – is my priority.
Helpful support and crisis resources:
Aha! Parenting
Visit their website for parenting education, resources, and more.
Playful Parenting: An Exciting New Approach to Raising Children That Will Help You Nurture Close Connections, Solve Behavior Problems, and Encourage Confidence by Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D.
“Parents have heard that play is a child's work—but play is not for kids only. As psychologist Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D., demonstrates in this delightful new book, play can be the basis for an innovative and rewarding approach to parenting. From eliciting a giggle during baby's first game of peek-a-boo to cracking jokes with a teenager while hanging out at the mall, Playful Parenting is a complete guide to using play to raise strong, confident children.”