New Clients – Questions & Answers
“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” – Brene Brown
Dr. Cindy Rollins is currently scheduling new client intake appointments. She is also scheduling health regulatory requested psychological evaluations.
What Are Your Hours and How Frequently do We Meet?
My office hours are typically Monday through Thursday from noon to 7:00pm, and Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. My counseling sessions are about 55 minutes (a therapeutic hour) and I typically meet with clients anywhere from once week to once a month. We may decide to increase or decrease the frequency to every other week or once a month depending on reaching specific therapeutic goals and circumstances. Telehealth options using a video conferencing format are also available.
Is Counseling Right for My Teen?
Counseling helps youth in a variety of ways. They receive emotional support, resolve conflicts with people, understand thoughts and feelings, and try out new solutions to old problems. Goals for therapy may be specific (reduced anger outbursts, improved relations with friends or family) or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem). The length of psychotherapy depends on the complexity and severity of problems. Counseling sessions may just involve the child/adolescent and other times sessions will also include the parents, legal guardians, and other significant family members. I believe when you work with an adolescent, you work with the whole family. Thus, regular parent communication is encouraged. Before an adolescent begins therapy, ALL legal guardians (including divorced or separated parents) must give their consent to treatment.
Here are some common reasons why youth seek counseling services:
- Feelings of Depression and Anxiety
- Social Isolation or Social Phobia
- Difficult Life Transitions and Events
- Experiences of Grief and Loss
- Adjustments to New Life Circumstances
- Stressful or Confusing Family Relationships
- Feeling Inferior and Low Self-Esteem
- Difficulty Managing Intense Emotions
- School Related Stress or Difficulty
- Chronic Sleep Issues
- Suicidal Thoughts and/or Self-Harming Behaviors
- Coping with Health and Medical Issues
How is Counseling Different from Talking to a Friend or Family Member?
A common reason people give for not seeking therapy is the idea that it is basically like talking to a friend – expect you don’t have to pay your friend to listen. However, working with a therapist is very different than having a heart-to-heart with a loved one. Psychologists are professionals who hold advanced degrees and years of schooling and training in human behavior, relationship dynamics and effective interventions. Psychologists are trained to listen in order to understand their clients, encourage independent thinking and self-reflection, and highlight their blind spots. Therapy is confidential, guided by evidenced-based treatment interventions, focuses on client driven objectives and comes with clear boundaries. Therapy is a safe and supportive, yet objective place for individuals to explore aspects of themselves they may not be willing to do in the context of friendships or other personal relationships.
Who is Not a Good Fit for This Type of Counseling?
Working with a psychologist in an independent clinical practice requires a certain level of commitment, emotional stability and personal responsibility. Youth diagnosed with a severe psychiatric illness such as a thought disorder, an active substance use disorder, or who are unwilling to participate in counseling are not an appropriate fit for my therapeutic services. Additionally, individuals who are looking at primarily addressing trauma healing goals are encouraged to work with a trauma specialist. Lastly, collaboration and communication with parents is crucial in helping their child achieve counseling goals. Parents who are highly aggressive/critical towards each other, their child, and/or myself are not a good therapeutic fit for my services. It is important to note that I do not provide custody evaluations and I do not involve myself in family law court related litigation. Please review the list of referrals provided on the resources page.
What Are Your Hours and How Frequently do We Meet?
My office hours are typically Monday and Wednesday from noon to 7:00pm, as well as Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. My counseling sessions are about 50 minutes (a therapeutic hour) and I typically meet with clients once a week or once every other week. We may decide to decrease the frequency to every other week or once a month depending on reaching specific therapeutic goals and circumstances. Telehealth options using a video conferencing format are also available.
Is Medication a Substitute for Counseling?
In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. You may decide to consult with a medical doctor or psychiatrist to determine what’s best for your child. However, the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems, and the pain they cause, cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptoms, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
How Much Does Counseling Costs and Do You Take Insurance?
Beginning January 2022, I will no longer take insurance plans and will be strictly pay-for-service. The fee for a therapy session is $140, due at the time of service via cash, check, credit-card, VENMO, or HSA card.
How Do I Schedule a Free 15 Minute Phone Consultation with Dr. Rollins?
Call my office at (928) 482-6680 and I would be happy to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation. Phone consultations are typically available within one business day of your call. During our 15 minute phone appointment, you will have a chance to ask questions about counseling and we will determine if my services are the right fit for your child.