1. MANDATORY PARENT/CAREGIVER INTAKE SESSION:

The first session (which is typically an average of 60-75 minutes in length) will consist of your child’s therapist meeting with any involved parents or caregivers, without the child present in the session.

This session can be completed by attending in person in our office or by joining virtually.

This allows for your child’s therapist and all caregivers involved to speak freely and further discuss items such as:

• Any questions regarding information in the intake consent forms completed before the intake session

• Topics you would like to address in therapy to support your child (ex: behavioral concerns, symptoms related to anxiety, challenges you currently experience in your parenting approaches, etc.)

• Therapeutic goals you would like to see your child working towards, as well as parenting goals you would like to work towards during your parent/caregiver consultation sessions

• Exploring how play-based therapy works, how therapeutic progress will be monitored, and how you will be involved in the process as their parent/caregiver

• Discussing practice policies, confidentiality limitations, etc.

2. AFTER THE INITIAL PARENT/CAREGIVER SESSION HAS BEEN HELD:

When your child comes into the therapy room for the first time, it will be heavily play-based and focused on providing a sense of safety for your child being in the space. Therapeutic activities used in this process include toys, art interventions (i.e. making slime, sand art, or mindfulness jars), therapeutic games, ice breaker conversations/games, listening to music, etc.

Our main goal of your child’s first session is to simply introduce them to the space and to their therapist - as well as allow them to start exploring how they can genuinely show up as their fully authentic selves.

The first session is typically an average of 60-75 minutes in length.

PLEASE NOTE: Your first session will be more question-heavy than the following sessions. This is intentional to allow your therapist to better understand your experience and ways to work together to create a plan for treatment.

This session can be completed by attending in person in our office or by joining virtually.

The first session will consist of your therapist meeting with you and discussing items such as:

• any questions regarding information in the intake consent forms completed before the session

• reviewing components of the intake forms completed before the session (i.e. history of symptoms, family history, etc.)

• therapeutic goals you would like to work towards throughout your time in sessions

• exploring how therapy works, how therapeutic progress will be monitored, etc.

• discussing practice policies, confidentiality limitations, etc.

All individuals, regardless of age, move through the therapeutic process at their own pace. It is often difficult to give a direct timeline of treatment. There will, however, be check-in sessions approximately every 6-8 weeks in order to discuss progress towards therapeutic goals and assess for further support necessary for effectiveness of treatment.

At Carolina Counseling and Play Therapy, PLLC we wholeheartedly believe that YOU are the expert on your child.

As such, your role as the parent/caregiver is a vital piece of supporting your child through their therapy journey.

During the initial intake session, your child’s therapist will meet with any involved caregivers, without your child present, to gather more background information and form a plan for treatment.

Your child’s therapist will continue to hold space to check in with you approximately every 6-8 weeks throughout the therapeutic process (to discuss how your child is progressing in sessions, how things have been going for your child outside of sessions, and to discuss any parenting-related concerns that may arise).

If any immediate concerns arise between parent/caregiver consultation sessions, we ask that you make a point to not speak about these concerns in front of your child. Instead, we ask that you schedule a phone call or additional parent/caregiver session with your child’s therapist and speak with them about these matters directly.

• Please note that phone calls that last longer than 15 minutes will be charged at $30 per 15 minute increment after the first 15 minutes. If the question/concern is more extensive, we suggest that a full parent/caregiver consultation session be scheduled to allow for additional time to fully address any questions/concerns/needs more effectively.

We work frequently with divorced/separated parents, however, both parents need to comlete all intake consent forms (unless otherwise stated in an official court document) and be willing to attend parenting sessions together. We have found that it is important to the therapeutic process that parents in these circumstances are willing to co-parent, otherwise, treatment goals are often difficult to achieve.

The team at Carolina Counseling and Play Therapy, PLLC does not work with parents who are actively in court due to custody and does not provide mediation services. Additionally, Carolina Counseling and Play Therapy, PLLC has referrals for parents who are navigating higher levels of conflict through their separation/divorce.

Please contact our office if you have questions regarding whether or not your family is a right fit for services. We realize there are extenuating circumstances where one parent may not be involved in the therapeutic setting and these cases are taken on by a case-by-case basis.

During the initial intake session, your child’s therapist will discuss the topic of confidentiality and parameters of confidentiality. In order to maintain and protect the therapeutic relationship, and ensure therapy feels like a safe space for your child, your child’s therapist will refrain from discussing specific details that may arise throughout the sessions.

Instead, your child’s therapist will be able to discuss main themes that emerge in your child’s therapy sessions. Your child’s therapist will certainly inform you immediately if there is ever a concern of safety, abuse/neglect, etc.

Additionally, Carolina Counseling and Play Therapy, PLLC would need to break confidentiality if it was determined that your child was a danger to themselves or to others, if the abuse of a child/elder/person with a disability were to be disclosed, or if it were ordered by a court.

The way you talk about therapy to your child can contribute to your child’s attitude toward the therapeutic process. It is important to communicate the process of play therapy in a strengths-based approach (ex: presenting it as a special space where they can have extra support for big feelings they might be having).

Example of a script to start the conversation with your child about therapy:

“So I recently met some named (their therapist name). (Their therapist name) is someone who plays with kids because everyone needs a special place to play sometimes. In play therapy, kids get to go to a special room with lots of toys that they can play with in many of the ways they would like. Many kids will be nervous before their first session, and that’s okay! (their therapist name) is there to care about you and play with you, and you can ask (their therapist name) any questions you might have.”

For preteens and teens, you can say many of the same things, except instead of playing we will be doing activities (such as listening to music, playing games, making slime, or talking). Whether your child is a younger child, preteen, or teen, you can tell them that therapy is a safe place that is just for them.

Sometimes parents might also tell their child if there is a certain activity, stuffed animal, or toy in the playroom that their child might like. Additionally, there are pictures of our office space and therapists on the website in order to support children who might feel more anxious about starting therapy have more of an idea of what to expect and to “make the unknown known” to the best of our ability.

Sessions with Hannah:

• The first session (intake session) is $170. After the intake, the following sessions include a rate of $150 per session. Please note that fees are reviewed annually and are subject to revision. (Your therapist will communicate these changes to you in writing should they occur)

• Carolina Counseling and Play Therapy, PLLC accepts all forms of payment and will place your card on file for convenient payment at later appointments.

Hannah’s Counseling Rates:

Initial Intake Session: $170/session

Follow-Up Sessions
50 minute session: $150/session
30 minute session: $75/session

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Sessions with Kristina:

• The first session (intake session) is $150. After the intake, the following sessions include a rate of $130 per session. Please note that fees are reviewed annually and are subject to revision. (Your therapist will communicate these changes to you in writing should they occur)

• Carolina Counseling and Play Therapy, PLLC accepts all forms of payment and will place your card on file for convenient payment at later appointments.

Kristina’s Counseling Rates:

Initial Intake Session: $150/session

Follow-Up Sessions
50 minute session: $130/session
30 minute session: $65/session

Carolina Counseling and Play Therapy, PLLC is in-network with most BCBS and Aetna plans.

(NOT including BCBS Blue Value, Blue Home, or Blue Local plans)

For any insurance plans that are not select BCBS plans or Aetna, Carolina Counseling and Play Therapy, PLLC is considered an out of network counseling practice. This means that we accept payment upfront for services and would provide you with a superbill (which acts like a receipt) that you may use to file with your insurance carrier.

Please reach out to our office directly to confirm if your insurance plan is in network.

Of course, we understand if there is an emergency or illness that prohibits you from attending your scheduled appointment, and we will consider late cancellations on a case-by-case basis. However, in general, we ask that you give at least 48-hours notice if you know that you will need to cancel or reschedule a session.

In general, the full price of a session ($150) will be charged for a no-show, and a $75 fee will be assessed for a cancellation with less than 48-hours notice. Please keep in mind that these fees are not billed through insurance and will be considered an out-of-pocket expense.

Effective 1/1/2022, the No Surprise Act requires all healthcare providers (including mental health therapists) to provide a Good Faith Estimate if you are un-insured or choose not to use your insurance to cover your services.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-877-696-6775.