Does my child need therapy?

There are many reasons children and teens may need or could benefit from professional therapeutic care. The "Care Quiz for Children and Teens" is designed to identify youth that may be in need of professional therapy by highlighting the most common indicators of a need for treatment. Take the "Care Quiz for Children and Teens" by going to the Care Quiz page. After completing all the questions in the selected Care Quiz you will be given results and a recommendation regarding treatment.

What is play therapy?

"Play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and resolve their own problems. Play therapy builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them (Axline, 1947; Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002). Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play provides a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development." ("Play Therapy Makes a Difference!") Go to Services and Fees page to learn more about how play therapy works and benefits youth, adults and families.

How do I select a therapist for my child?

Parents need to evaluate the level of training and expertise of the therapist they are considering. An effective child therapist must be trained to work with children by graduate programs, workshops, and specific trainings. You can know that a therapist has extensive education and training through a credible certification.One such accreditation is by the Association for Play Therapy, where credentialed play therapists are licensed or certified practitioners who have earned a Master's or higher mental health degree, 150 or more hours of specialized play therapy training, substantial clinical and play therapy experience and supervision, and are required to earn at least 36 hours of continuing education during subsequent three-year renewal cycles. To find a credentialed therapist in your area, go to www.a4pt.org and search under the state you live in. Look for the letters 'RPT' (Registered Play Therapist) or 'RPT-S' (Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor) behind the therapist's name to be assured that you are getting a therapist that has beentrained specifically for children, since a lot of therapists say they do "play therapy." Ask for a free phone consultation to ask about the therapeutic approach of the therapist. Learn how he or she works with clients. You will want to ask what to expect from therapy.

Why should I choose Kimberly Bartlett LCSW, RPT-S at Caring Hearts Play Therapy?

Kimberly has the education, training, experience and caring heart needed to provide an effective therapy experience. Kimberly is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor credentialed through the nationally recognized Association for Play Therapy. She began her extensive training in play therapy in 2000 and has traveled throughout North America for specialized play therapy trainings. She has worked with children, teens, families and adults for over twelve years. Additionally, Kimberly's genuine caring for people lends to a therapeutic relationship where you can feel safe, comfortable and not judged. Read more about Kimberly by clicking the About page from the top menu bar.

What should I expect at our first session?

She may have you and your child meet with her together for a portion or all of the session. The first session will often be with just the parent. She will meet with your child alone for a portion of the assessment either on a separate visit or on the initial session. Please plan on spending up to 90 minutes on your first visit. Be prepared to talk about what has prompted you, your child or family to seek treatment. You may bring your Care Quiz results as an assistance to discuss your concerns. Assessments frequently are completed in the first session. However, there are occasional situations where additional information is needed to complete a thorough assessment. If treatment is recommended, initial goals for treatment will be discussed in order to establish a working understanding of the treatment focus.

What do I tell my child about going to therapy for the first time?

What you tell your child about seeing a therapist for the first time will differ depending on the age and maturity of your child. Be honest about the fact that your family is going to see a therapist. Do not mislead your child in thinking they are going somewhere else. Talk to your child in a positive and upbeat manner about the idea of going to therapy. Let your child know that they are not in trouble and they are not going to see a therapist because there is something "wrong" with them that needs to be "fixed." Help your child know that we all need a little extra help sometimes to deal with things that are challenging. If your child has previously expressed a challenge with something then, you may explain that they are going to see the therapist for help with that challenge.

What are the payment options?

Many private insurance plans and California Victim Compensation Funds are accepted as an out-of-network provider, meaning insurance claims can be filed and reimbursed to you if you have "out-of-network" benefits and have met your deductible in this category. Check with your insurance company to find out how much they will reimburse you for each session. Cash and check are also welcomed. Please note that as an out-of-network provider, it is your responsibility to pay for services and then submit your receipt to your insurance company. See Services and Fees page for more information.

Is my information kept private?

Your information is covered by the therapist-client privilege, which is protected by state law. California state law specifies that the individual in treatment holds privilege regarding the relesase of their information. State law permits confidentiality to be broken in rare situations such as to report a reasonble suspicion of child or elder abuse, or an intention to harm one's self or another personand and few other rare situations. Additionally, private health insurance has access to information in order to process financial claims.

Am I in need of therapy?

There are many reasons teens and adults may need or could benefit from professional therapeutic care. The "Care Quiz for Teens and Adults" is designed to identify individuals who may be in need of professional therapy by highlighting the most concerning issues that cause teens and adults to need treatment. Take the "Care Quiz for Teens and Adults" by going to the Care Quiz page. After completing all the questions in the selected Care Quiz you will be given results and a preliminary recommendation regarding treatment.

What ages of people do you see for therapy?

Caring Hearts Play Therapy provides therapy to people of all ages. Kimberly specializes in the use of play therapy, which is most commonly used for children ages 3-12. Kimberly has experience working with children as young as 10 months, teens, and adults in individual, group and family psychotherapy. In general, the older a child gets, the more talking will be incorporated into the sessions, along with age-appropriate play therapy activities. Play therapy activities used along with "talk therapy" has been shown to be effective for teens and adults. Teens and adults will be invited to experience play therapy activities designed specifically for their age and therapeutic needs and will not be required to use play therapy.

How do I ask my child about his or her therapy session?

It is important to not pressure your child to talk about their sessions. Let your child decide what they want to tell you about their sessions. The therapist will share with parents anything that arises in session relating to the child's safety or any other vital information. It is important to remember your child is granted privacy during his or her sessions in order to allow for self-expression. Allowing your child to keep their sessions private will help them benefit from the therapeutic process. Remember progress will take time and children will be allowed to work at their pace in order to build and maintain a trusting therapeutic relationship.