24 Bronze Pointe N. | Swansea, IL 62226
24 Bronze Pointe N. | Swansea, IL 62226
FAQs
Who should go to therapy?
Therapy can be useful for everyone, as we all experience challenges during life. If your child is experiencing a change in emotion or behaviors, which impact one or more areas of life (such as school, home/family time, friendships, work, etc.) an assessment for support can be beneficial. If an individual expresses hopeless feelings, a decrease in self-esteem or confidence, begins withdrawing from others, has noticeable changes in sleep routines, appetite, or weight, displays negative, destructive, abusive, or violent behaviors, talks about or displays self-harming behaviors, or expresses passive or active suicidal intent, therapeutic interventions may be necessary.
What happens in a therapy session?
Therapy sessions can be very different, depending on the age, need, comfort level, or goals of the client/family. An initial therapy session will begin with assessment and information gathering, to determine the goals for treatment and the therapeutic interventions that may work best for the individual. Gathering information and working in therapy on an ongoing basis, you may experience a variety of techniques, such as talk-therapy, play therapy, role-playing, sand-tray work, art, therapeutic hands-on activities, music, mindfulness training, coping skills development, social skills building exercises, etc. There are no limits on the types of therapeutic approaches that may be utilized, and each session will be tailored to meet the individual needs of the client.
How long does therapy take?
Therapy does not have a pre-determined time frame. Most work is ongoing, until the client/family and the therapist decide that appointments can be less frequent. When beginning therapy, you may meet with the therapist for one hour each week. Once positive change has been identified, the therapist and family may agree to meet every other week, or once per month, depending on the client/family needs. The time frame for therapy is best determined on an individual basis.
Will you tell me what you discuss with my child in therapy?
Depending on the age and developmental level of the client, the subject of the therapy session, and what is in the best-interest of the child, most of what is shared in individual therapy sessions will be kept between the child and the therapist. If there is ever a safety concern for the child, confidentiality rules will be followed, and information will be shared with the proper authority. Often, subjects brought up in session will be therapeutically encouraged to share with family, when appropriate, and family members may be invited into session, if a need is identified.
Will you release my child’s information?
When working with children, there are often many additional resources for support that are a big part of your child’s development, such as school representatives, pediatricians, additional therapeutic/behavioral health providers, extended family members/caretakers, etc. Depending on the needs and emotional/behavioral concerns of the child, it may be beneficial to include additional supports into the therapeutic care of your child. However, information cannot and will not be shared with anyone outside of the legal guardians of the client, without signed written consent on file. Consent forms can be found on the client portal and can be added to your child’s file at any point, when determined therapeutically beneficial.
Legally, if an individual discloses information regarding any type of abuse or neglect of a minor or an older adult, we are mandated by law to report these allegations to the Department of Child and Family Services or Adult Protective Services. In addition, if an individual reports a plan and intent to harm themselves or someone else, we are required to break confidentiality to alert the proper authorities for screening, evaluation, and immediate safety of the client and/or others involved in the disclosure.
Do you prescribe medication?
Currently, CACTS Counseling does not have medical providers on-site who are able to manage and/or prescribe medications for clients. If you are interested in learning more about medication evaluation or management, in addition to therapy services, a list of recommended providers/resources can be discussed during your session.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. CACTS Counseling is in-network with most major insurance plans, including Medicaid of Illinois. Check the "get started" page for more detailed information on the insurance panels we are in-network with.
Legal Issues – Custody
Often, children experience emotional/behavioral changes due to changes in the family dynamic. Although we understand that many parents are trying to advocate for what they think is best for their child, CACTS providers do not participate in the legal/custody decisions that parents/guardians may be going through. We will happily be a support to your child and family during these difficult times, providing therapeutic support and interventions that may be necessary during this process, but we do not “choose sides” between parents. Our goal is to be a support for your child and family, utilizing a non-judgmental, neutral approach.