Question 1

How do I set up an initial counseling appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please email janelle@teentranslation.com or call the private practice confidential phone number at 415.237.1720.

Question 2

How do I contact you for speaking, teaching, or clinical supervision services?

Accepted Answer

Please email janelle@teentranslation.com or call the private practice confidential phone number at 415.237.1720.

Question 3

How do I contact you for script consultation, production consultation, or on set counseling services?

Accepted Answer

For script consultation, production consultation, or on set counseling services, please email janelleaultcourses@gmail.com.

Question 4

How long is a counseling session?

Accepted Answer

A counseling session lasts 50 minutes.  However, longer sessions may always be arranged.

Question 5

How often do we meet?

Accepted Answer

Many times, a client will start with weekly sessions.   Later, the client may graduate to biweekly sessions.  Please keep in mind, the frequency of sessions is client-led and dependent on the client’s expression of their need for support.  
Therapists call this “moving through stages of treatment.” At later stages of treatment, a client may graduate to a “maintenance stage.” However, therapists care unable to leave sessions open-ended indefinitely.  At that time, a client may officially graduate from care.

Question 6

How much does a counseling session cost?

Accepted Answer

The fee for a 50-minute session is $200.00.  However, I hold a few sliding scale opportunities.  Please email janelle@teentranslation.com for more information.

Question 7

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

I do not take insurance directly.  However, I can provide a superbill (summary of all charges paid) to be submitted to insurance for possible reimbursement.  If that sounds confusing, don’t worry.  I'll walk you through the entire process.

Question 8

What are helpful questions to ask insurance to find out if I’m eligible for out-of-network reimbursement?

Accepted Answer

It is always a good idea to find out before beginning sessions what insurance will and will not cover.  Here are a few helpful questions to ask your insurance company:

Do you reimburse for out-of-network care?
If so, what percentage do you reimburse?
Is there a deductible we must meet prior to receiving reimbursement?
Do you offer coverage for a limited or unlimited number of sessions?

Question 9

Do you provide counseling for adults?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.  I meet with people of all ages and walks of life who are going through life stuff and need a safe holding space to talk about it all.  We are in desperate need of unconditional support in a world that too often feels conditional.

Although adolescent and family counseling is a specialty that I hold, I meet with many adult clients as well.

Question 10

Do you provide parent coaching?

Accepted Answer

Parent coaching is a crucial part of the process.  At times, I will provide parallel counseling services, meeting with your teen individually as well as supplementing care with family or parent coaching sessions.

However, it may be beneficial at times to refer parents to a trusted colleague for parent coaching.  I am happy to connect parents with support.

If your teen is currently meeting with another therapist, I am also happy to provide supplemental services of parent coaching (to be discussed with your teen's current therapist).

Question 11

What if we meet and I don’t think it’s a good fit?

Accepted Answer

First, please know that this is a very normal part of the process.  It is important to connect with a therapist that you feel like you can really talk to.  If you don’t feel like it’s a great fit, I completely understand.  I will provide referrals to a list of my rock star colleagues and help you get connected.

Question 12

How do I know if it’s a good fit?

Accepted Answer

It's probably a good fit if ...

1. You feel like you can talk about everything and anything.
2. The therapist’s style and modality clicks with you.
3. The therapist is highly equipped to get you where you want to go.
4. The therapist’s specialty is aligned with your goals.

Question 13

Can I see a therapist who practices in a different state?

Accepted Answer

A therapist can only work with a client who physically lives in the state in which the therapist is licensed.

Question 14

What’s the difference between counseling and coaching?

Accepted Answer

Great question.  Here are a few major distinctions:

LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

1. Focus on specialized training in family systems and therapy.
2. Address family dynamics and mental health issues.
3. CAMFT definition: The application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories, principles, and methods in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, or groups in order to assess, evaluate, and treat relational issues, emotional disorders, behavioral problems, mental illness, alcohol and substance use, and to modify intrapersonal and interpersonal behaviors.

LIFE COACHES

1. Focus on setting goals, creating outcomes, and managing personal change. For these reasons, coaching often relates to career development, achievement, and advancement.
2. May not lawfully diagnose or treat their clients’ mental health issues.
3. May not delve into the past, provide a cure to a mental illness, or relieve mental and/or emotional suffering.
4. May not seek to resolve the deeper underlying issues that cause serious mental and/or emotional problems.
6. ICF Definition: Coaching is the future-focused practice of partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.

Question 15

Where did you receive your degree and training?

Accepted Answer

I completed a dual Masters in 2010, obtaining a Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology and a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and Broadcast Journalism from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA.

Question 16

There are many different types of therapists.  What kind of therapist are you?

Accepted Answer

I am a LMFT, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. 
 LMFTs:
1. Focus on specialized training in family systems and therapy.

2. Address family dynamics and mental health issues.
3. CAMFT definition: The application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories, principles, and methods in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, or groups in order to assess, evaluate, and treat relational issues, emotional disorders, behavioral problems, mental illness, alcohol and substance use, and to modify intrapersonal and interpersonal behaviors.

Question 17

What are your specialties?

Accepted Answer

I meet with people of all ages and walks of life who are going through life stuff and need a safe holding space to talk about it all.  We are in desperate need of unconditional support in a world that too often feels conditional.
Additionally, please see below for clinical specialties and populations.  
Top Specialties: family counseling; adolescence and navigating the teen years; young adulthood and navigating the college years; parent coaching; entertainment industry professionals and navigating the entertainment industry; script and on set production consultation and services.
Expertise: ADHD, anxiety, behavioral issues, child, codependency, coping skills, depression, faith-based counseling, grief, life coaching, life transitions, managing entertainment industry careers and performance, mood disorders, narcissistic relationships and systems, parenting, peer relationships, relationship issues, school issues, self-esteem, self-harming, stress, and trauma. 
Types of Therapy: art therapy, clinical supervision and licensed supervisors, cognitive behavioral, emotionally focused, family systems, motivational interviewing, narrative, strength-based, trauma focused.

Question 18

You say that you like meeting with teens, but do you really mean it?  Everyone says they work with teens.

Accepted Answer

Yes and absolutely!  When I say that I am passionate about working with teens, I really mean it.  The teen years are a season unlike any other.  We have an opportunity to meet teens where they are and prevent budding issues from becoming larger challenges later in adulthood.

Question 19

The film production says they are not able to hire an on set therapist but I feel as though I would benefit from working with a therapist for this role or production.  Can I still work with you?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.  Depending on the logistics of the film project, you may benefit more from traditional therapy or coaching services.  Please email janelle@teentranslation.com for more information.

Question 20

Are you available to attend 504 or IEP school meetings?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes it can be very helpful for your teen’s therapist to attend an IEP or 504 meeting.  Assuming your school grants permission and the appropriate paperwork is completed, I am happy to join a school-based meeting and advocate for your teen during the treatment process.

Question 21

Can you provide a neuropsychological assessment or report that qualifies for school-based accommodations?

Accepted Answer

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am not able to conduct a neuropsychological assessment.  Some schools will accept a letter from a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that outlines the benefit of academic accommodations.  However, some schools require a formal neuropsychological report conducted by a licensed psychologist.  If that is the case, I am happy to connect you with a trusted colleague who specializes in crafting these reports.

Question 22

Do you prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists do not prescribe medication.  I am happy to refer you to a psychiatrist or M.D. for a medication consultation.

A's to your Q's