FAQ's

Therapy consists of evidence-based treatment provided by a mental healthcare provider. It is supported by empirical scientific research and is clinically proven to help reduce the impact of daily life stressors and relieve mental health disorders.

Therapy is like having a conversation with someone who's really good at understanding feelings and thoughts. It's a safe and private space where you or your child can talk about things that bother you, make you happy, or confuse you. The therapist helps you figure things out, learn new ways to handle tough situations, and feel better about yourself. It's a bit like having a guide who walks alongside you on the journey of understanding yourself and finding ways to make life easier and more enjoyable. 

Therapy is a bit like talking to a friendly and trained person who is there to help you and your child understand feelings, thoughts, and any challenges you might be facing. Here's what you and your child can expect:

• Talking and Listening: In therapy, you and your child will talk with the therapist. They're really good listeners and they'll pay attention to what you say. They might ask questions to understand things better.
• Sharing Feelings: It's a safe place to share your feelings and thoughts. Your child can talk about things that make them happy, sad, or even confused. You can too.
• Play and Activities: If your child is younger, therapy might involve playing with toys or doing fun activities. This helps the therapist understand how your child thinks and feels.
• Learning Skills: Therapists teach you and your child helpful skills to deal with tough situations. These skills can be used in daily life to feel better and manage challenges.
• Problem Solving: You and your child can work together with the therapist to solve problems. They might give you ideas on how to make things better.
• Time to Improve: Therapy isn't a quick fix. It takes time, just like learning new things or practicing a sport. You and your child can track progress and celebrate small victories along the way.
• Confidentiality: What you talk about in therapy usually stays between you, your child, and the therapist. They will explain the limits of this confidentiality at the beginning.
• Comfortable Environment: Therapists create a comfy and welcoming space, so your child can feel at ease talking about anything.
• Parent Involvement: Depending on your child's age and needs, the therapist might involve you in the sessions to learn how to support your child outside of therapy.

Remember, therapists are there to help, not to judge. It's okay to ask questions and share your thoughts openly. Over time, therapy can help your child feel better and more confident, and you can learn ways to support them too.

Getting your child established with a therapist or doctor may seem overwhelming. We are here to help! First, you'll reach out to a care coordinator to schedule an intake appointment. At the intake appointment, the therapist will meet with you and your child to collect important history regarding your child's presenting emotional or behavioral concerns. The therapist will then work with you to determine if therapy is a right fit for your child. 

Considering therapy for your child is a thoughtful and caring step. It's important to remember that therapy isn't just for extreme situations – it's a valuable resource for supporting emotional well-being and personal growth. Many children benefit from therapy in various ways. Therapy can be helpful if your child is experiencing:

• Emotional Challenges
• Behavioral Challenges
• School or Social Issues
• Life Transitions
• Low Self-Esteem
• Anxiety or Fears
• Trauma
• Grief

Remember, therapy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Our experienced therapists assess your child's unique needs, strengths, and challenges to create a tailored approach. It's a collaborative journey where we work together to support your child's emotional well-being, build resilience, and provide valuable life skills. If you're unsure, an initial consultation with one of our therapists can help determine if therapy is the right fit for your child's current situation.

Enrolling your child in therapy can be really helpful for their well-being and development. Here's why and how it can benefit your child:

• Understanding Feelings: Therapy gives a safe and judgment-free space to talk about what's going on inside their head.
• Coping Skills: Therapists teach your child cool tricks and skills to handle tough situations. These are like tools they can use when they're sad, angry, or confused.
• Boosting Confidence: Through therapy, your child can learn to believe in themselves more. They'll feel more confident to try new things and face challenges.
• Managing Stress: Kids have stress too, and therapy can teach them how to deal with it. They'll learn ways to relax and not let stress take over.
• Better Relationships: Therapy can help your child get along with friends, family, and classmates. They'll learn how to talk and listen better, which makes friendships stronger.
• Expressing Themselves: Sometimes, kids find it hard to say what's on their mind. Therapy can help them express themselves better, whether it's through talking, drawing, or playing.
• Overcoming Worries: If your child has worries that won't go away, therapy can help. They'll learn how to face their fears and not let worries control them.
• Growing Stronger: Just like practicing a sport makes you better, therapy helps your child grow emotionally and mentally. They'll become more resilient and able to handle life's ups and downs.
• Safe Place: Therapy is a secret-sharing zone. Your child can talk about anything without getting in trouble. It's a place where they won't be judged.
• Support for You Too: Sometimes, therapy includes tips for parents. You can learn how to help your child even better and create a happier home.

Therapy procedures typically prioritize your and your child's privacy and confidentiality. Here's what you can generally expect:

• Confidentiality: Therapists are legally and ethically bound to keep the information you and your child share during sessions private. This means they won't share your conversations with anyone unless you give them permission or if there's a serious concern for safety, like if someone's safety is at risk.
• Limits of Confidentiality: Therapists will usually explain the limits of confidentiality at the beginning. They might mention specific situations where they are required by law to share information, such as if your child is in danger or if there's a court order.
• Involvement: If you're involved in your child's therapy, the therapist will work with you to determine how much information to share. This is often based on what's best for your child's progress.
• Professional Collaboration: In some cases, therapists might consult with other professionals within their practice to ensure the best care. However, this is usually done in a way that doesn't reveal personal details.
• Record-Keeping: Therapists keep records of your child's sessions, but these records are kept secure and private. They're used to track progress and make sure your child is getting the right help.
• Insurance or Payment: If you're using insurance to cover therapy costs, some basic information might be shared with your insurance company. However, therapists still prioritize keeping personal and sensitive details confidential.
• Consent: Before sharing any information with others, therapists will typically ask for your consent. This could be when collaborating with other professionals or discussing your child's case in a training or supervision setting (while keeping identities anonymous).

It's important to have an open and honest conversation with your therapist at the beginning about privacy concerns and any questions you might have. This way, you can feel comfortable and confident in sharing during the therapy process.

Absolutely! In fact, you don't need internet or an electronic device at all! Youth meet with their therapists and/or psychiatrist via confidential video sessions, which will either occur at their school or at the courthouse in West Union. All locations have safe and confidential rooms for therapy and medication appointments to take place. 

Our care coordinators are truly excited to work with your family and will be happy to answer any questions or address concerns you may have! They will have you complete an intake packet, which will continue information about the program, consent to treat, confidentiality rights, and information to help the therapist or psychiatrist better understand your needs. You can also submit a request for a care coordinator to call you. 

If you have medical insurance, we will bill your insurance for the therapy sessions. However, if your insurance does not cover the full cost of the therapy or medication visits, our program will cover the rest. Also, if you don't have insurance, our program will cover the costs of services.

Therapy sessions usually last around 50 minutes. However, we understand that every child is unique, and sometimes, we might adjust the session length to keep your child engaged and active.

We typically recommend starting with weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions for young people, especially at the beginning. As progress is made and goals are met, the frequency of sessions can be adjusted, eventually leading to discharge from the program.

The duration of your child's involvement in our program varies widely. Some may find support for just a few months, while others might benefit from our services for several years. The timeline depends entirely on what you and your child require to achieve the best outcomes.

Rest assured, we work closely with you and your child to ensure the therapy plan aligns with your family's needs, preferences, and the progress being made.

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.

Think of psychiatric medication like medicine for the mind. Just like when we're sick, we might take medicine to help our body feel better, psychiatric medication can help our thoughts and feelings feel better.

Sometimes, kids can have strong emotions or thoughts that make them feel sad, worried, or upset. These feelings might be because of something happening in their brain. Psychiatrists are like experts who understand how the brain works.

When a child takes psychiatric medication, it can help balance out the chemicals in their brain. These chemicals play a big role in how we feel and behave. So, the medication can make the tough feelings a bit lighter and help the child think more clearly.

It's important to know that not all kids need medication, and it's not a magic fix. It's usually used along with talking to a therapist or counselor. The goal is to help the child manage their feelings and thoughts so they can enjoy life, feel happier, and do well in school and with friends.

Just like when we take medicine for a cold, the doctor and parents work together to decide what's best. They'll watch how the child is doing and make sure the medication is helping and not causing any problems. It's all about helping kids have a happier and healthier mind.

Here at Adams County, our approach to therapy and medication is evidence-based, meaning it is backed by scientific research. We also recognize that each individual is unique and influenced by their surroundings and life experiences. Therefore, we take into account the various environments and events that impact the client's well-being and personal growth during therapy. Our providers will explore and address you and your child's concerns regarding their mental well-being. We take pride in respecting and supporting people from different cultural backgrounds and advocating for fairness and equity in society.