The first thing to consider when starting therapy is whether the therapist has the training and experience to treat the specific issue(s) you’re facing. Each therapist has what’s called a Scope of Practice, which is essentially a list of things they do and do not treat. My family therapy practice has a specific scope with regard to the issues and situations I treat. Please start by reviewing the following list of issues that are beyond the scope of my practice and require specialized counseling.
Issues I do not treat:
- Families where the child of focus is over 12 years old.
- Families with high marital conflict.
- Divorced or separated families.
- Families with parental substance/alcohol abuse.
- Families under court order.
- Families with untreated mental health issues in either parent.
- Families needing attendance at school IEP meetings or on-site observations.
- Families needing crisis support i.e. situations where the child or any family member is engaging in dangerous behaviors.
* Please also note that family therapy requires both parents attendance. Occasional absences due to work, travel etc. are okay, but both parents need to be committed and involved in the therapy process.
If any of these issues pertain to your situation, you may email me and request an appropriate referral to a specialist, as these issues are beyond my scope of training and practice.
If none of these issues pertain to your situation, please start by sending me a brief email that includes confirmation that there are no issues beyond my scope and a few sentences about your current situation. I will email back about current availability and the possibility of setting up a brief phone call. If you don’t hear back from me within a week, feel free to call the phone number below.
Thanks,
Noah
415-717-3915