Questions and Answers
Answers to common questions about getting started, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and ADHD treatment.
General Questions
Do you accept insurance?
Many of our clients access their health insurance to pay for our services. We are an “out of network provider” meaning fees are due at the time of service. We will provide you a receipt to submit to your insurance detailing the diagnostic and treatment codes required for reimbursement. The amount reimbursed varies between insurance providers. You may want to contact your insurance and ask about your “out of network” coverage.
Can I pay for services using my FSA or HSA?
Yes you can pay for our services using your FSA or HSA funds. If you have an FSA or HSA credit card we can charge that card directly. Alternatively we can provide you a receipt to submit for reimbursement from your account.
What is your cancellation policy?
Canceling or rescheduling appointments requires a (48) hour notice to avoid having to pay the fee for the session. You cancel directly from the confirmation email or you can notify your treating clinician.
Do you prescribe medication?
We do not currently prescribe medication. We regularly perform assessments for psychiatrists and medical doctors who then perform a medication evaluation based on our results. We can send your assessment results to your general practitioner or your psychiatrist to aid in their medication evaluation. If you do not currently have a psychiatrist we can provide referrals.
PCIT Questions
How do I explain PCIT to my child?
Keep it simple and reassuring, and explain that PCIT is something you will do together. You might say, “We’re going to meet a helper who works with parents and kids. We’ll play together, and our helper will teach me new ways to listen to you and help you follow directions. We’ll practice together to make hard moments easier. You’re not in trouble. I’ll be there with you.”
My child doesn’t do well meeting with people on a computer. Will the clinician be meeting with my child directly through the computer?
No. PCIT is a family therapy. In PCIT the clinician is emphasizing the parent-child relationship and is trying to fade into the background for the child. They typically will have brief contact with your family at the start and end of your session. The rest of the time your child will not see the clinician but you will be able to hear the clinician through your earbud.
I’ve tried therapy, read books on parenting, followed parenting blogs, had advice from teachers, family, and friends and nothing is working. Can your program really help?
Yes it can! It is very common that parents are in this position when they connect with our program.
Is PCIT completed through telehealth as effective as doing it in person?
Yes studies show that I-PCIT is as effective as PCIT and offers some additional benefits that can support treatment.
How do I set up for PCIT in my home?
Ideally pick a room that has a door you can shut to help your child stay in the space. You will want to set up your laptop ( ipad or tablet) with the screen and camera pointed at a play area. Have your earbuds charged, paired to your phone, and have your phone able to receive calls from a blocked number. Your clinician will connect with you both through your laptop and your cell phone. Keep the microphone and speaker open on your laptop.
What toys are appropriate for PCIT?
Please select toys that can encourage collaborative play. Toys commonly used are Magnatiles, Legos, Marble Runs, Bristle Blocks, Mega Bloks, play food etc. We want to avoid toys that may encourage aggressive play like knives, swords, superhero figures etc. Boardgames and card games are great family activities but they are not a great fit for PCIT.
What if you don’t see my child’s concerning behavior directly during the observation assessment?
This is okay and not uncommon. We still gain a lot of information from the exercises you will complete in the observation, and we draw on your reports of the behaviors at other times.
How long is the program?
The typical course of treatment is an intake appointment without your child, an observation session with your child, two training sessions at the start of each of the two phases of treatment which are double sessions, then an average of 14-16 live coaching sessions. Treatment duration can vary based on severity of diagnosis and amount of engagement in treatment. Families often start seeing positive changes within a few live coaching sessions.
ADHD Treatment Questions
How much does it cost to have an ADD/ADHD Assessment?
Please review the descriptions of the different levels of ADHD assessment on our website. For pricing, visit the Request Appointment page.
What happens in a therapy session?
Therapy sessions target your specific ADHD symptoms helping you develop concrete strategies to manage them more effectively.
How often are visits with a therapist?
Frequency of therapy sessions can vary. Typically we recommend starting with weekly sessions to make sure you are getting traction on the interventions. As the symptoms are becoming better managed some clients chose to reduce the frequency of their visits and ultimately manage their symptoms without regularly occurring appointments.
I don’t live nearby how can I access services?
Clinicians at Bay Area Adult ADHD offer treatment over the phone or through secure video conferencing when appropriate within the state of California. Some clients chose to do a combination of in-person treatment and phone/video conferencing to help make services more accessible.