Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make an appointment?
· Contact me at (502) 681-3219 or drkatie@drkatiesmith.com. I will gather some basic information from you, determine if we are a good fit for one another, schedule an initial, parent-only appointment and a follow-up appointment for your child.
· After we schedule an initial appointment, I will give you instructions for completing paperwork online.
Do you accept insurance?
· I am considered an out-of-network provider, meaning I do not accept health insurance. Many insurance policies do offer reimbursement for out-of-network services.
· Consider contacting your health insurance company to learn about your out-of-network benefits. If you have out-of-network benefits and need to submit documentation for reimbursement, I will be happy to provide the documentation you need.
How does payment work?
· You may pay for services with cash, check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). HSA and FSA accounts may be used.
· Payment is due at the time of service.
What are your fees?
· Fees vary based on the service provided. I will discuss fees with you when we set up our initial appointment.
What should I bring to the first appointment?
· Only parents should attend the first appointment. Parents should bring the following with them to the first appointment: credit card to keep on file, relevant documents, and any previous assessments from the school or other professionals.
How long does treatment take and how often will I/my child see you?
· The duration of treatment depends on the nature of the presenting issue(s). During the parent appointment, I may predict how long treatment will take. I will work closely with your family to create a treatment plan that will inform the duration of treatment.
· I prefer to see children weekly at the beginning of treatment. Typically after 3-4 weekly sessions, we will determine the frequency of future sessions.
· When goals are met, treatment is complete. We may agree, however, that less frequent, “maintenance” appointments would be beneficial.
Will my child miss school for appointments?
· It is likely that your child will miss school for appointments. Afternoon and evening appointments are in high demand, and are often taken first by current clients. I provide doctor’s notes in the event that your child misses school.
My child is having problems at school. Do you communicate with teachers or counselors?
I frequently collaborate with teachers, counselors, and other school personnel to optimize your child’s functioning in the school environment. With your permission, I am able to speak with school personnel over the phone and to participate in meetings at the school
Do you prescribe medication?
· I do not prescribe medication. Only psychiatrists and other physicians are licensed to prescribe medication. If I believe your child may benefit from medication, I will refer you to your child’s primary care physician or a psychiatrist for consultation. If your child is prescribed medication, I can collaborate with the prescribing physician.
What is CBT?
· CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) helps clients become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking, so they can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. It can be an effective tool to help children and adults learn how to better manage stressful life situations. It is an evidence based treatment approach.
What is EMDR?
· EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach that helps people heal from trauma or negative life experiences. When traumatic or adverse events occur, memories of these events tend to get locked in the brain with the thoughts, feelings and body sensations that occurred at the time of the event. When one is reminded of the event, the original thoughts, feelings, and sensations can continue to be triggered as if the brain is storing unprocessed trauma memories. EMDR works to help the brain reprocess these traumatic memories, which alleviates the emotional distress. EMDR is an evidence based treatment approach which requires in-depth training. Dr. Smith is trained to provide EMDR.
What is Positive Discipline?
· Positive Discipline is an approach to parenting and communicating with children and adolescents developed by Dr. Jane Nelsen. It is based on the work of pioneering psychologists Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs and is designed to teach young people to become responsible, respectful and resourceful individuals. Positive Discipline teaches important social and life skills in a manner that is respectful and encouraging for both children and adults.
There are five main components of the Positive Discipline approach.
1. Interactions between children and adults should be kind and firm at the same time.
2. Children should feel a sense of connection, belonging, and significance.
3. The approach has long-term effectiveness, as opposed to punishment which is only a short-term solution.
4. There is an emphasis on teaching children social and life skills such as respect for others, problem-solving, accountability, and cooperation.
5. Children are empowered and discover that they are capable.
The tools and concepts of Positive Discipline include:
1. Mutual Respect. Adults model kindness and respect through all interactions with children.
2. Identifying the beliefs that cause children to behave and misbehave.
3. Effective communication and problem solving skills.
4. Discipline that is focused on teaching and problem solving rather than punishment or permissiveness.
5. Intentional encouragement rather than general praise.