FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Psychologist, Social Worker, and a Psychiatrist?
Professionals who provide clinical services at Bridges Therapy and Wellness Center include Psychologists, Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Psychiatrists.
Psychologists attend graduate school to earn a doctorate degree in psychology. The American Psychological Association recognizes the doctoral degree as the minimum educational requirement for psychologists; these degrees include the Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology). Graduate training focuses on all aspects of human behavior, including clinical psychology, counseling, neuropsychology, or school psychology, with an emphasis on research and scientific methods. Training typically includes four to six years of academic preparation, followed by one to two years of full-time supervised work with patients and licensing examinations. Psychologists are the only trained professionals able to conduct psychological evaluations and testing.
A Pre-licensed psychologist refers to a clinician who has completed a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree, and met all of the supervised experience requirements needed to be a full licensed psychologist, awaiting the final step of passing the Licensing Exam.
Social workers attend graduate school in social work, earning a Master in Social Work (MSW) degree and earn clinical experience that qualify them to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Training typically includes two years of coursework and supervised, practical experience working at agencies in the community. Social workers are trained to perform psychotherapy.
Licensed Professional Counselors attend graduate school for two years to earn a Master’s degree in Counseling or related field, such as Mental Health Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy, among others. Counselors also have post-graduate supervised experience to ensure that they are skilled in helping clients and maintain proper ethics, and they often use an individualized, collaborative approach to counseling clients, empowering them to make changes in their lives.
Psychiatrists attend medical school and earn an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. They have also completed an additional four-year residency with specialized mental health training to treat the full range of emotional and mental health disorders. Training for psychiatrists focuses primarily on biological aspects of mental illness, and the interplay between medical and psychiatric conditions. Because of their medical training, psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe medication. Psychiatric care at Bridges Therapy and Wellness Center typically focuses on evaluation, diagnosis and medication management, but may also include brief talk therapy.
What should I expect in my first appointment? (if adult, if child/teen)
We look forward to meeting you at Bridges Therapy and Wellness Center. When you arrive in our waiting room, you will be greeted by one of our administrative staff who check you in and ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork. At the time of your appointment, your clinician or psychiatrist will meet you in the waiting room and walk you back to the office.
The first therapy or psychiatry session is typically one hour, but could be scheduled for as long as 90 minutes for family therapy and certain other situations. Every therapist has a unique approach to how they undertake the first session. In general, information regarding your concerns will be gathered, and you will be asked about your reason for seeking services, and how these difficulties impact daily functioning. Your clinician will also want to know a little background information (your/your child’s current living situation, educational or occupational background, relationship history and childhood history). Additional information will be gathered as needed as we seek to have therapy progress at a pace that is comfortable to you/your child.
One topic that is critical to discuss in the first session is confidentiality, or the right for clients to have privacy with regard to the fact that they are seeking therapy, the content of their therapy sessions, medical records, and other Protected Health Information. We are ethically bound to protect your privacy, yet there are a few exceptions when confidential information must be released that will also be released, as required by law. These exceptions will be reviewed and any questions will be answered.
Should I bring my child to the first intake appointment with a Therapist?
When the Therapy Client is a Child: If you are seeking therapy for your child, first appointments are often undertaken with parents/guardians alone, to allow you the opportunity to share your concerns, and the developmental and family history in a candid manner in a private environment.
When the Therapy Client is a Teenager: Teens often have a stronger need for privacy and transparency in order to trust their therapist, and so they are often included in the first session with parents/guardians. However, parents and teens may also have time separately with the therapist, if appropriate, so that they can speak more privately.
When the Therapy Client is an Adult: Adults generally attend intake appointments by themselves, although they are welcome to bring along a family member or support person if that would help them to be more comfortable or to provide background information that could aid in treatment.
Regardless of the client’s age, at the end of the first session, your therapist will discuss their initial thoughts and clinical impressions, share their suggestions for treatment goals and interventions that would be most effective, and plan for further sessions, as appropriate.
Should I bring my child to the first intake appointment with a Psychiatrist?
Psychiatry Clients that are Children or Teens: Child psychiatry intakes will consist of a first 60-minute appointment, and at times a second 30-minute appointment to allow the doctor to collect sufficient information to form accurate diagnostic impressions and discuss treatment alternatives. Child and adolescent patients should attend the first appointment with both parents (where possible). We require both custodial parents to authorize treatment with psychiatric medications to prevent any conflicts that may interfere with treatment.
Psychiatry Clients that are Adults: Adult clients generally present to their first appointments alone, although you are welcome to bring along a family member or supportive person to help you feel comfortable and/or provide helpful background information that may assist the doctor in making treatment decisions.
At the end of the first session, your psychiatrist will discuss their initial thoughts and clinical impressions, share suggestions for treatment goals and interventions that would be most effective, and plan for further sessions, as appropriate.
How long are sessions?
After the initial intake session, subsequent therapy sessions range from 45 minutes to 60 minutes for individual therapy. Some family therapy sessions may be scheduled for up to 90 minutes to ensure that enough time is available to address the clinical needs of the whole family.
Psychiatry follow-up appointments are generally 20-25 minutes. Learn more about medication management here.
How do I choose which therapist to see?
The relationship and fit between you and your clinician is an essential element of a successful outcome in therapy. It is an important decision to choose a therapist, and understanding their approach and style can help you in making this choice.
All of the clinicians at Bridges Therapy and Wellness Center have their own biography page on our website that describes their therapeutic expertise, style and approach. We recommend reading through the bios to see who would be the best fit for you or your child’s needs. It is possible to also have a free 15-20 minute phone consultation with a clinician to ask questions and assess fit, and/or you can contact us at 703-865-4900 for guidance in choosing the best fit therapist for your unique needs.
How often will we attend therapy appointments?
How often will we attend therapy appointments?
Generally, participating in therapy weekly is the most common and effective treatment frequency. However, during times of high distress or concerns about safety, meeting twice weekly may be initiated. If more than twice weekly is needed, a temporary higher level of care may be warranted until symptoms and safety are stabilized. Once progress has been made and clients are feeling and functioning better, biweekly therapy may be indicated to continue work toward therapy goals, and provide support to maintain progress. Changes in treatment frequency take place through discussion between therapist and client, and are based on client needs at the time.
The frequency of Psychiatry appointments will depend on whether there are medications that are new or changing, the type of medication, and other factors. Please discuss with your provider their recommendations for the frequency of medication management appointments.
If my child is in therapy, will I be included in their treatment/or be able to communicate with their therapist?
What if I need medication? Can my therapist prescribe it?
Do you accept my insurance?
We do not work directly with any insurance companies.
Our office prioritizes expert, individualized care and believes that treatment decisions should be made by professionals, not influenced by insurance companies. To maintain this flexibility and uphold the highest standards of care, we do not participate in any insurance plans. We will provide you with Superbills that document treatment services, upon request, as a courtesy only. This documentation will generally cover the information needed by your insurance company should you submit for out-of-network reimbursement. Please be aware that some policies, such as Medicaid, Kaiser and sometimes Tricare, do not provide any coverage of out-of-network services.
To learn more about how to submit a Superbill to file an Out-of-Network Claim >
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