FAQs
Psychotherapy
What is Talk Therapy?
Talk therapy is a collaborative mental health treatment, based on the relationship between an individual and a trained Mental Health Professional/Therapist. A Therapist provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly while they remain objective, neutral, and nonjudgmental.
One of the most beneficial aspects of therapy is confidentiality. According to California law, and the federal patient privacy law known as HIPAA, your will need to give your consent for your therapist to disclose any information about your treatment. This allows for a foundation of trust and openness within the therapeutic relationship.
There are some important exceptions to confidentiality. As a mandated reporter the therapist is legally obligated to report child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, intent to harm, and suicidality.
How long is a session? How often are my appointments?
Individual Therapy sessions for teens and adults are 50 minutes. Play Therapy sessions for minors usually last for 30-50 minutes, based on the child’s age, attention span, and other personal factors tailored for that child. Couples and Family Therapy vary from 50-90 minutes depending on the Therapist they are working with.
Appointments are weekly, especially for new clients. After some progress has been made, the therapist and client will agree to reduce sessions slowly until therapy is no longer needed.
How do I pick a therapist?
If you have insurance coverage, you may want to request a list of therapists in your area that are covered by your insurance. From there, you can pick one from a list and call to see if they have availability.
There is always the option of working with a therapist who isn’t in your insurance network. This would mean that you would pay out-of-pocket. Check with the therapist to see if they offer a Superbill - an itemized receipt that your insurance may be willing to accept and pay a portion of the session back to you.
Working with a therapist is personal choice.
How much does it cost?
All therapists have different fees. Some offer a sliding scale - a reduced fee per session based on the client’s need.
Some therapists are contracted with various insurance carriers to provide therapy. You can find these in-network therapist by asking your insurance for a referral list or asking a therapist you’re interested in, what insurances they take. In addition, your insurance may cover all or a portion of therapy. Check with your insurance carrier to see what your benefits for mental health therapy is.
Associate Program
What is an Associate?
An Associate is a Master’s level Registered Therapist working on completing their 3,000 experiential hours to sit for licensure. All licensed therapists take 3-6 years on average to gain diverse experience within different agencies, private practices, and non-profits in order to take two state tests that grant them the ability to work as a licensed therapist in California.
All Registered Associates within Silver Fern Inc. have been carefully screened and interviewed, work closely with a licensed therapist supervisor weekly, participate in group supervision, and refine thier focus on their areas of expertise.
We believe these Associates are well-rounded, ethically informed, and posses a special drive within themselves to be successful and supportive therapist.
Due to the inability for Registered Associates to be contracted with insurance carriers, all our Associates offer a sliding scale.
Therapy for Minors
Consent for Therapy for Minors
Most therapists prefer consent from both parents prior to treating minors whose parents are separated or divorced. If there is a question in cases of shared custody about the authority of one parent to give consent for treatment, the therapist may ask for a copy of legal documentation, such as the custody order prior to treatment. In some cases a third party signature, such as a social worker, may be required before treatment can begin.
Confidentiality for Minors
According to California law, and the federal patient privacy law known as HIPAA, your child will need to give their consent for the therapist to disclose:
All Mental Health records for children age 12 and older.
All information concerning pregnancy, sexual activity, STD’s, abortion, and drug/alcohol use or abuse, regardless of the child’s age.
Any information that your child’s therapist believes, if released, could cause harm to your child or to someone else, or that would significantly harm the treatment relationship with your child.
There are some important exceptions to confidentiality. As a mandated reporter the therapist is legally obligated to report the following situations.
Child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, intent to harm, and suicidality.
Adolescents and Teens (13yrs - 17yrs)
It seems like life becomes more complicated for this stage of development as social media intensifies and societal issues apply more pressure. Talking about emotional and mental health difficulties with a professional can help to create tools for self-regulation, adjustment, and healthy relationships that can last a lifetime.
Adolescents and Teens may need professional therapy for emotional problems, substance abuse problems, stress, bullying, relationship difficulties, eating disorders, and/or traumatic experiences. Common issues include anxiety, depression, mood, attention seeking behavior, and self-doubt.
Therapy for Adolescents and Teens include talk therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and other unique and expressive approaches that support this life stage.
Play Therapy for Children (2yrs - 12yrs)
Play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children. Through play, children learn more adaptive behaviors when emotional or social skills are deficient.
Play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and resolve their own problems. Play therapy builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them. Play provides a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development.
By confronting problems in the clinical play therapy setting, children find healthier solutions. Play therapy allows children to change the way they think about, feel toward, and resolve their concerns. Even the most troubling problems can be confronted in play therapy and lasting resolutions can be discovered, rehearsed, mastered and adapted into lifelong strategies.
Silver Fern Inc. is equipped with a fully stocked Therapeutic Playroom with diverse figurines, sandtrays, arts and crafts, puppets, and role playing costumes and toys.
Please be prepared to wait while your child is in their therapy session. It is important to have a parent or guardian available should they be needed during that time. Encourage your child to use the restroom prior to therapy. Should your child require help in the restroom, the therapist will ask you to attend to that task.