Frequently Asked Questions

: Please call to ask about availability. There are times when we must pause taking new patients, but we will be happy to place you on a waiting list. Because we treat children and adolescents, most of our after-school appointments are frequently booked well in advance. If you want to limit the amount of time that your child is out of school, consider scheduling an appointment on days your child has an early dismissal, a late start, or a day off school. Patients also schedule appointments during lunch, recess, study hall, or a class that is not part of the core curriculum (i.e., music, art, PE). Many of our patients rotate days and times of appointments so they do not miss the same class every week.

: We see children from approximately 2 years of age through college. We have expertise in treating ADHD, anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders, in addition to a wide range of other developmental, emotional, and social issues. We also provide family therapy when indicated and parent training in behavior management.

: 50-60 minutes. There are times when we might not need the entire session, and we have rates for shorter sessions, as well.

: The number of sessions you will need depends on the severity of the issue and the implementation of “therapy homework” in between sessions. We understand how busy families are, and we understand that there will be times when we may not be able to meet as frequently as might be helpful. Typically, more frequent visits, such as weekly visits, may be needed for children who have behavioral or emotional issues that are having a significant effect on their lives.

: The first session is spent gathering information about your child, family, and concerns you have about your child. We give parents the option of whether they want their child in the room at the same time as the parent interview. Sometimes, an initial private session with the parents is preferred depending on the information being discussed or if you are concerned that your child might feel sensitive to your comments. We have a playroom so children can play and then join us halfway through the interview. Some parents say, though, that their child is aware of the issues and does not get upset when talking about it, so they don’t mind if their child is present in the initial session.

: We understand that unexpected circumstances sometimes arise. We ask that families give us at least 24 hours’ notice if they need to cancel their appointment. This time is devoted specifically to your child.

: No, psychologists do not have prescription privileges. Please consult with your child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist for medication.

: Yes. Patients and parents can always opt to have a telehealth session. Telehealth can be a convenient option when the weather is bad, someone is ill, there are transportation issues, time is limited, or when a child is in college. We must be notified in advance if this is your preference. There may also be times, such as when the weather is bad, that we will pivot to telehealth as well.

We are participating members of a Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), an interstate compact between states, which allows us to practice psychology via telehealth even when our patients are out-of-state for college, travel, or short-term residency. To date, we can see our patients via telehealth in 41 states, with 5 additional states in current legislation to allow our patients to receive psychological treatment by video call. If you are interested in this option for your child, please let us know, and we will verify whether your state is licensed within the compact.

: We handle all scheduling through a HIPAA-compliant online patient portal. To register as a new patient and schedule your first visit, please click below:

• Dr. Catherine Judkins
  Client Portal
• Dr. Dawn Koontz
  Client Portal

: We are considered out-of-network with all insurance plans. We do not file claims with insurance companies. We have many families who opt to file their own claims with insurance. If you file a claim, and depending on your benefits, the visits can either be applied to your deductible, or you might receive some reimbursement. Superbills are posted in the patient portal after sessions, and these forms are the documentation needed to file a claim with your insurance company. We cannot guarantee that you will receive payment from your insurance companies or whether they will approve the claim. Payment is due at the time of the visit. We accept all forms of payment, including flexible spending and health savings accounts.

: If you wish to file a claim with your insurance company, we strongly encourage you to call your insurance to ask questions so you can inquire about your mental health benefits and ask about the process of filing a claim. When calling, ask:

• If you have out-of-network benefits for mental health;
• If you have a deductible that must be satisfied before insurance begins to pay for visits if so, the amount of the deductible;
• The percentage of the visit that you will be responsible for once the deductible is satisfied.

: The initial session is a 90791. Follow-up sessions are billed as 90837 (individual therapy), although sometimes we bill 90847 (patient plus a parent). Occasionally, we see parents without the child present and will use the CPT code 90846.

: No.

: When parents are no longer together, we require written consent from both parents prior to seeing the child. Active involvement of both parents is key (if both are local), and parents must be capable of working together to meet their child’s needs. The exception to this is if one of the parents has sole legal custody and/or court-ordered authority for health care (including psychological). We do not do custody/visitation evaluations or see children whose parents are currently court-involved.