The Process

Counseling Intake Process

If you are interested in pursuing counseling for yourself or your child, then the next step would be for me to obtain information about your situation and determine if I would be an appropriate interventionist.  Please send an email to me so we can schedule a time to talk by phone (email:  mary@learningandbrain.net ).  I may also send you intake and/or release of information forms if I need to speak with teachers, tutors, or other counselors involved.  If it does not seem that I am the right practitioner, I would do my best to provide you with specific referrals, or recommendations about finding the right provider.  Should we decide to work together, we will set up an initial appointment in order to develop specific goals for our time together, to create our baselines in order to track progress, and for me to assess the appropriateness of the intervention. Ongoing appointments would be scheduled at that time.

Assessment/Consultation Intake Process

If you are pursuing assessment for yourself or your child, then the first step would  be for us to discuss the nature of your concerns and what questions I can answer for you. Please email me to explain your interest (email:  mary@learningandbrain.net).  It is very helpful for me to have copies of any previous evaluations (at any age, and of any type) and current documents, such as IEP’s, in order to develop an assessment plan. You should also make preparations to make paper copies of all school report cards, including teacher comments, so that a copy can be given to me at one of our first assessment appointments.

Once I understand your question(s), I will provide you with a detailed evaluation or consultation plan, a specific cost quote, and propose available dates for the assessment services. At that point you can decide whether or not this seems like the right direction and if you want to book appointments for the evaluation or consultation.

Prior to the first in-person appointment, you will receive a packet of forms that will give you an opportunity to provide more detailed input into the history and current situation.   If your thoughts are not fully reflected in the forms I provide, you are welcome to add notes or examples as you see fit. On scheduled assessment dates, both parents are not required to bring the student for evaluation as these appointment times are spent primarily with the student.

After the assessment is completed and the report is ready, we will have a scheduled session to thoroghly discuss the results of the evaluation, and for you to ask any questions you may have.  This appointment is for parents (not students) and is typically 1 to 1.5 hours in length. At that time you should leave with a clear understanding of the issues at hand, as well as a plan to address any concerns.

After assessment or treatment has ended, you are always welcome to keep me updated through voicemail or email and to return for tune-ups as needed!