Frequently Asked Questions

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General Questions

We work with children of all ages, and we also work with adults, couples and families.

We typically see clients once per week. If you need to change that to every other week later on, that’s okay, but initially once per week is best for at least the first couple of months. Any less often than every other week is not recommended, it’s just not enough support, especially initially. It’s impossible to say for sure how many sessions one will need. Plan for a minimum of 6 months to a year.

Sessions are typically 1 hour. Some EMDR processing sessions can be beneficial at 90 minutes, but you will work with your therapist to figure out what’s best.

Our highly skilled therapists utilize evidence-based modalities guide you on your journey towards healing and growth.

These proven strategies have been extensively studied and demonstrated to help women like you overcome their personal challenges and thrive. 

Some of the treatment modalities that we specialize in include:

  • EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is used to relieve the distress of specific traumatic events or memories. The client revisits the typically negative emotion evoking material in small doses. This practice alleviates physiological arousal and previous dispositions are reformed in a more positive framework.
  • Structural Dissociation:  Is more common than people think. It is the state of being psychologically withdrawn due to trauma which causes someone to feel like a completely different person multiple times a day.
  • Polyvagal Theory: A state of psychological withdrawal due to brain chemistry and certain elements of the nervous system.
  • Mindsight: Grounding techniques such as deep breathing and focusing on specific features of one’s environment.
  • Positive Psychology: Moving away from the common thought of what the client believes to be wrong with a client and focusing more on the good or positive about the client and their life.
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Similar to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but focuses on mindfulness and acceptance that allows the client to cope with stress, regulate emotions, improve relationships, and improve socially.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The client’s negative dispositions about themselves and/or the world are distinguished in order to change the behavior and thought patterns to a more positive outlook.
  • Neurofeedback
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Whichever you prefer, we offer flexible scheduling to meet your needs.

For kids and teens it’s highly recommended that you come into the office, but we will work with you on what you need to do. Some clients do both, or switch to virtual if something comes up and they aren’t able to get here for their appointment. We are as flexible as possible.

Our office is located in Chandler, on Chandler Blvd. just east of Dobson Rd. We also conduct telehealth sessions through our HIPPA compliant, secure, online platform.

We will send you a link to a client portal with all relevant practice paperwork for you to complete before your session. If this is for a teen, it’s helpful if the teen completes the intake questionnaire themselves so they have the opportunity to share their experience and symptoms from their perspective. You can schedule or reschedule appointments from the portal and set up reminders.

Our intake sessions are $200 and all following regular sessions are $175. We do not accept insurance, but we can provide instructions for filing a claim to use your out-of-network benefits if available. We will provide the documentation you need for possible reimbursement.

We do offer discounted services with one of our interns on a limited basis.

We accept FSA/HSA, Care Credit, or your credit/debit card, or if your child has AZ Empowerment Scholarship, you can pay through Class Wallet.

We offer a comprehensive therapeutic process that is tailored to your unique needs and goals.

The duration of therapy varies depending on individual circumstances and the severity of your symptoms. Many clients start experiencing positive changes and growth within a few sessions. 

Together, we will work collaboratively to help you find relief, develop coping skills, and create lasting positive changes in your life.

We have extensive experience working with a wide range of issues and diagnoses.

Our compassionate and skilled therapists are equipped to support individuals facing challenges such as trauma and PTSD, dissociative disorders, depression, mood and anxiety disorders, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, adjustment disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorder, as well as general work and life stress.

We believe in treating the person as a whole, focusing on your unique needs and circumstances to provide effective and personalized care. 

Answers For Parents

We work with children of all ages, and we also work with adults, couples and families. Some common issues we see with kids are oppositional behaviors (ODD), anxiety (especially social anxiety), ADHD, sensory processing disorder, depression, trauma, and dissociative identity disorder

Yes, For siblings, we usually schedule two 45 minute sessions back-to-back to make it easier for everyone to be here. They will each have individual sessions, but you will only need to bring them once rather than finding separate days/times for them.

Yes! We also ask that parents are available to schedule check in meetings every 6 weeks or so in order to track progress and ensure treatment goals are being met. The therapist will share tools, and important information with parents in order to make sure the child is getting the best possible care. The whole system is part of the child’s life, so it’s best if everyone is open to learning new ways to interact with each other and improve the overall stability of the environment.

We like to leave it up to the family and child to decide if they want parents to be present in therapy. Sometimes kids start with their parents in session and then as they get more comfortable, they start seeing the therapist on their own. It’s always up to you, and can be flexible.

The counselor will keep the content of therapy confidential in order to maintain trust with the child/teen. However, if the child discloses anything that indicates they’re in danger (self harm or suicidal ideation) we will communicate that with parents right away. We’re also mandated reporters which means we’ll report any abuse, neglect, etc. There is specific information about this in the informed consent documents.

The first step is to schedule a consultation or an intake session. We always schedule a parent meeting before meeting with the child. This helps us get a better understanding of what’s going on at home, as well as a parent history to learn more about the environment and give some context before we meet with the child.

During the parent meeting you will be able to share goals, concerns, and get your questions answered before the child begins treatment.

Every child is unique and has individual needs. Groups are great for kids who are lacking some skills, maybe they’re acting out at home, or they’re experiencing social anxiety.

These classes are not a good fit for kids or teens struggling with addiction, disordered eating, self harm, or suicidal thoughts, as these challenges call for a higher level of care.

A group class isn’t a replacement for therapy. It’s a great place to start if you’re not sure what your child might need. Classes offer them the chance to build themselves up in a social environment and learn that they’re not alone!

If you have a diagnosis from a doctor, we can make recommendations for you based on that current diagnosis. If you don’t already have an official diagnosis, we can help you work with our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner partner to begin the assessment and diagnosis process and then collaborate to build the best recommendation based on your needs.

Life Coaching

Therapy focuses on healing emotional wounds, addressing mental health concerns, and exploring deeper psychological processes. Life coaching is geared towards personal and professional development. Life coaching is a way to help you reach your goals and improve your life. It involves finding your strengths, setting goals you can achieve, and making positive changes. It focuses on the future and achieving what you want.

It is important to look for an appropriately trained and certified life coach.

That said, it is just as important to find a coach you feel connected to. You may want to consider how their personality aligns with yours and whether their career history and life experience are relevant to your goals.

The specifics of working with a life coach are highly personalized.  There is no cookie-cutter approach prescribed to all clients. What one person finds helpful may be very different from someone else’s strategy.

Allyson will work with you first to establish your personal goals. Then you’ll create a customized experience together using various plans and exercises to address your specific challenges.

Typically, you’ll start with weekly sessions for six weeks then create a session strategy depending on your personal goals and needs.

Every person is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long it should take.

Your coaching plan will be designed around your specific needs with your input. Many clients extend their coaching beyond the initial six week timeline to continue working toward their goals.

EMDR

Bilateral stimulation activates both sides of the brain which helps to facilitate the processing of distressing memories and promote healing.

If you’ve experienced a traumatic event and find yourself dealing with intrusive memories, nightmares, heightened anxiety, or avoidance behavior, we recommend you consult a licensed mental health professional for a thorough assessment. Click here to reach out for a free consultation with one of our therapists.  If you are experiencing a crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.  

EMDR has shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms such as disturbing memories, flashbacks, excessive fear, anxiety, and negative beliefs.

EMDR can effectively address a range of triggers and experiences, including single traumatic incidents, childhood traumas, phobias, and distressing life events. It helps reprocess these experiences, reducing their emotional impact and associated symptoms.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback therapy is not a replacement for other forms of therapy, but it works together with other treatments to give you a holistic approach. It can be effective for reducing your need for medication and provide results more quickly.

Neurofeedback training is a non-invasive therapy that rarely produces any side-effects. A small percentage of people may experience fatigue, minor headaches, or dizziness, but these effects generally last only about 24 hours. 

Neurofeedback therapy is incredibly effective in helping those with PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear, sleep issues, ADHD, and more.