What to Expect During a Consultation Call and the First Session from a Child and Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA
Finding a Counselor: Child Therapy or Teen Therapy in Harrisonburg, VA
Your child and teen's mental health is important to you.
I understand that your child or teen is one of your most important relationships. They are your heartbeat. You are deeply concerned about them and know that they need professional counseling for the issues they are facing. You want to ensure they receive the help that they need. After looking around and asking friends you think you have found the right child or teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA that you believe will be a good fit. Now you have a few questions as to what is next and what that first session will look like
Call a bilingual child and teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA
Call Melissa Deaton Cook LPC,NCC,ACS,EXAT a Harrisonburg therapist at 540-416-1628 for Child and Teen Counseling
Spiral Roots LLC is a safe place to learn and grow. It is a place where together we can invite curiosity and creativity to help us with the questions and the struggles we have in life. All are welcome in my office.
You know your child or teen needs to talk to someone. Someone besides yourself.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC
Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist
Let me help. My name is Melissa Deaton Cook. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I provide child and teen therapy in Harrisonburg, VA.
You are concerned. Maybe your child or teen is angry, have self harmed, are isolating, having school issues, having concerning behaviors, or there are significant family issues they are facing. You have never looked for a child or teen counselor before. What do you do? What do you say? What do you ask? Who do you turn to? Let me walk you through what to expect during a consultation call and the first session.
The Consultation Call
What to expect from your consultation with a child or teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA.
Most therapists offer free 15 minute consultation calls. If someone does not answer the phone do not hesitate to leave a message. Therapists are busy people. They may have designated office hours to return calls. They may also delay calling back immediately to make sure they have uninterrupted time to consult with you and answer your questions. The important thing is not to give up. Your child and teen are important.
A consultation call with a child or teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA is an important step to see if the therapist and your child or teen are a good fit.
Information the therapist will ask of you.
Spiral Roots LLC. Bilingual Counseling in Harrisonburg VA
The therapist will ask some demographic questions such as age and gender. They will want to know briefly what the presenting problem is and what your specific concerns and fears are. The therapist may want to know if there is social service or court involvement. Let them know if there has been a separation, crisis, or loss in the family. This information will help the counselor decide if their skill set is best for your child or teen or if another type of therapist would be better.
Questions you will want to ask the therapist.
There are many things that you will want to ask during the consultation. Things to inquire about are their fees, the time structure of the sessions, how they work both with the client and the caregiver, and what their specialties are. If there is court involvement in your child or teen’s life make sure the counselor is aware of this. Find out if there are additional fees if a court presence or court letter may be requested.
Child and teen therapy is confidential, however open dialogue with the caregiver is important. You will want to know what this looks like with each therapist. Some therapists may be open to speaking with your child or teen during a consultation call. I have had a parent set up a time for their teen to call and consult with me once the parent was satisfied with their own conversation. For some teens, this type of agency and empowerment can be helpful for others, it does not matter.
The First Session
What to expect in the first session with a child or teen therapist who provides counseling in Harrisonburg, Va
Although therapists work differently, all child and teen counselors have an intake process that is completed with the client during the first session. This may be a list of questions, a conversation, or an activity. The first session is where paperwork is reviewed and signed. Basic paperwork includes limits to confidentiality, fees and billing, consent to treatment, and authorization for the release of information. The first session is also where a specific time slot for weekly sessions will be created. Therapy works best when it is predictable and consistent. Many therapists now request that you fill out forms ahead of time through an Electronic Health Records (EHR) platform.
The first session is like a meet and greet where the intake process occurs and where you start to get to know each other. Relationships are the key ingredient to successful therapy. The first session is not about the detailed trauma or troubles the child or teen is facing. Information gathering and relationship building begins in the first session, but it takes time for stories to be told and relationships to be built. This is especially important to understand when asking your child or teen to engage in therapy. The relationship between your child or teen and their therapist is important. It takes time. It requires trust and a sense of saftey.
The relationship between your child or teen and their therapist is important. It takes time. It requires trust and a sense of saftey.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC provides bilingual counseling in Harrisonburg, Va.
At Spiral Roots LLC the first session starts with reviewing a little bit of what therapy is and is not, and the completion of the intake paperwork. I invite both the client and their legal caregiver to be present. We talk a little about concerns of all parties and what is needed from the perspective of all involved. Once all documentation is complete and initial information shared, if there is time, I will ask the client if they would like their caregiver to remain for the duration of the session or to step out and wait for them. The remainder of the session will be a mix of information gathering and relationship building. At Spiral Roots don’t be surprised if the first session involves playing a little UNO! Be prepared, if your child or teen decides they would like you to remain in the session all parties present will be asked to participate in whatever activity the young person is interested in.
How Long Does Someone Work With a Child or Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA?
The length of therapy depends on many things. It depends on the purpose of counseling, the presenting problem, and the personality and work of the client. For children and teens, especially where trauma is concerned, a healthy relationship needs to be built. For child or teen therapy to be successful, the young person must feel safe and trust the therapist. This can take time. In child and teen therapy, relationships are often built through play, expressive arts, sand trays, and games.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist uses games, sand tray, music, expressive arts, nature, and cognitive therapy when providing counseling in Harrisonburg.
Play is the first language of childhood. The cognitive part of the brain (cortex) is the last to develop in human growth. This does not occur until the late 20’s to early 30’s! This is why your teen genuinely does not have an answer at times! Also, when a child or teen has trauma the portion of the cortex that is working shuts off under stress. All of this affects the progress of child and teen therapy.
The length of therapy depends on many factors. What we do know is that therapy is more effective when attended weekly, especially in the beginning. This is especially important for child and teen therapy. As improvements and goals are achieved sessions may become bi-weekly and then begin to gradually slow down toward completion of services. Therapy is a choice. The family and client are always empowered to talk with the therapist about the duration of therapy and any questions they may have. The client or the therapist may end the therapeutic contract at any time.
At Spiral Roots LLC, Melissa Deaton Cook LPC specializes in child and teen therapy in Harrisonburg, VA. If you are looking for a child or teen counselor, call 540-416-1628 or email melissa@spiralroots.org Openings are currently available. Learn more and follow Melissa. @spiral roots counseling
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC works with ages 5-18 in Harrisonburg VA and the Shenandoah Valley
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist
When hiring a therapist to provide counseling in Harrisonburg, Va for your child or teen you want someone who is knowledgeable. Someone who understands kids. Your Kid!
You want someone your family can relate to, feel safe with, and learn to communicate with.
You deserve support from someone who can help you and understand your child and teens development and mental health issues. Your child and teen deserve someone who “speaks their language” not just another mark in the schedule book.
Therapy isn’t just for chatting weekly, it is about reaching your goals, easing your worry, and getting real support for both you and your young person. I hope this helps you find the right child or teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA. Someone who can help you and your loved one.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC ~
child and teen psychotherapist
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC, NCC, ACS
Melissa is a bilingual licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Melissa helps kids feel safe, supported, & empowered to be their best unique selves! She helps struggling children and teens to know that they are seen, they are heard, and that they matter with the help of trauma informed expressive art, sand tray, play therapy, nature based, and cognitive therapy.
“Melissa is like a child and teen first responder” Jennie -First Responder.
Melissa helps dis-regulated children and teens struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, mental health issues, behavior issues, family separations and more to regulate and learn to function in their community. All are welcome! Melissa’s focus is to help kids learn to regulate, communicate, and strengthen their relationships in the home and community so they can develop the capacity to grow and become their best selves. Melissa may be contracted for child, teen, and family therapy, dynamic trauma trainings, expressive arts workshops, and team building events.Melissa also provides expressive arts workshops and drum circles through The Growing Space, in Dayton VA.Learn more about Melissa’s background, approach, and services here at spiralroots.org
Other Blogs In This Series: Searching for Counseling For Children and Teens in Harrisonburg, VA and the Shenandoah Valley?https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/searching-for-counseling-for-children-and-teens-in-harrisonburg-va-and-the-shenandoha-valley
Looking for a Counselor in the Shenandoah Valley? How to find a Child or Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA Today.https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/looking-for-a-counselor-in-the-shenandoah-valley-how-to-find-a-child-or-teen-therapist-in-harrisonburg-va-today
Questions to Ask a Child or Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/searching-for-counseling-for-children-and-teens-in-harrisonburg-va-and-the-shenandoha-valley
FAQs About Counseling and Finding Child and Teen Therapy in Harrisonburg, VA https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/faqs-about-counseling-and-finding-child-and-teen-therapy-in-harrisonburg-va
What to Expect During a Consultation Call and the First Session from a Child and Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/what-to-expect-during-a-consultation-call-and-the-first-session-from-a-child-and-teen-therapist-in-harrisonburg-va