FAQ's
Where do you provide services?
We are licensed to work throughout all of California. Assessments and social skills groups happen in our Walnut Creek office. Psychotherapy is happening virtually. We provide ABA services via paraprofessionals throughout California, assuming that it is appropriate for paraprofessionals to be supported virtually. If supervision of paraprofessionals, or psychotherapy needs to be in person, then we provide services from Walnut Creek through San Leandro, and north through Richmond. Occasionally, we can provide in person services in Marin or San Francisco. (Please note that due to Covid, we are not currently providing psychotherapy or supervision of paraprofessionals in person. This may change before we are able to update our website, so please contact us to check in.)
How much do Whole Child services cost?
Click here to see our current Master Fee Schedule.
Why do a Psychological Assessment?
Psychological Assessment is appropriate if your child is struggling and you do not have a full picture of the cause of the struggle. If your child is experiencing delays in language and play skills, is not meeting specific developmental milestones identified by your pediatrician, or is having challenges with behavior or communication, an assessment can help determine specific areas of need and which part of the brain is at the root of the challenge. In addition, assessment helps get clear if your child has a diagnosable psychological disorder and, if so, which one (ex. ADHD, OCD, Autism, Tourette’s). Assessments typically look at different components of IQ, like processing speed and working memory and at executive function skills like attention, task initiation, organization, shifting set and task completion. Additionally, we evaluate language, fine motor skills, social cognitive skills, play and social skills, areas of daily living and many other areas of development and achievement. This information can be used to help parents better understand their child, and clinicians to better target appropriate treatment. The assessment process may help the school identify which supports and accommodations are necessary for your child to most effectively access the school curriculum and support your child’s specific learning style and needs.
How do I know if my child would benefit from your Social Skills Groups?
Our Social Skills Groups are designed to support children to develop social skills with age and developmentally matched peers. We provide a safe and structured environment for children to learn and practice new skills. We have a high ratio of staff to clients to provide an optimally supported learning environment. We build our social skills groups specifically for the children participating in them. We tailor our interventions to the needs of the specific group and its members. As clinicians, we have seen many of our clients attend social skills groups and then have the new skills not translate to other settings. We utilize project based groups to target skills in a more natural context. Because this simulates how social skills are used outside of the office, your child will be better equipped to use their new skills in the real world.
How often will my child need services?
Each child is different and requires a different level of service and intervention. For interventions to be effective, it is necessary that they are provided in a consistent manner. Generally, professional services are provided on a weekly basis and paraprofessional services occur several times per week.
When will I see results?
The time frame for seeing results will vary based on a number of factors, such as the complexity of the problem, interventions utilized, and ability to be consistent and make the recommended changes. Often there are noticeable results within the first 2-3 months and sustaining results after six months. Working with Whole Child may continue for as long as you feel like you are benefiting from the services.
Will my insurance cover Whole Child services?
Whole Child is not an in-network provider for any insurance company and we do not bill insurance companies directly. Clients pay their bill once or twice per month and then submit the invoice (which doubles as a super bill) to their insurance for reimbursement. PPO’s may cover some portion of the following services: Psychotherapy Services, ABA services for autism, Psychological Assessment, Social Skills Groups. We are happy to discuss your particular situation and insurance questions.
How is Whole Child different from other programs?
Whole Child supports all areas of development and looks at the family system in which the child lives. Whole Child is not confined to a particular therapeutic model. Unlike other programs that are strictly behavioral or only work from a relational perspective, we use an eclectic approach. Our staff is trained in a variety of intervention methods. We work with you to understand and find the treatment that feels most comfortable to you. Whole Child works with the entire family to learn how to support, connect, and grow with their child.
My child has autism. Why work with Whole Child instead of an agency that only works with kids on the spectrum?
Our team has people who have been working in the autism field for decades, long before it was a legally mandated treatment. We are well seasoned, familiar with the most up-to-date research and have trained in the most current techniques; however, in addition to offering ABA we take a broader view of your child as a whole unique individual. We incorporate aspects of many other models and our treatment is more comprehensive and more effective. Because we are not in-network with any insurance companies, we take the time and care to personalize your program to make sure you are getting what will optimally satisfy your needs.We make ourselves available to answer your concerns directly.
What are your Covid policies?*
We are doing our best to maintain everyone’s safety while also providing quality services. When services are in person, we require all employees to wear KN95 masks or N95 masks when with clients at all times (unless otherwise directed by a physician). In addition, if services are provided in a home, all members of the household who are in the vicinity of the session (on the same floor not behind a closed door) are also required to wear masks. Prior to each in person session, staff and clients are expected to fill out a Covid risk survey which includes taking a temperature. We also require staff to wash hands at the start and end of each session. We do not require vaccines, though many of our staff have chosen to get vaccinated. We do our best to limit the number of clients each staff member sees in person. In our office, we require anyone entering the office to wear a KN95 or N95 mask. Please contact us if you have any further questions.
* As of May 2021, subject to change.