Happy New Year!
I am writing this Blog Post in the beginning of 2025 to provide an update on my business and the services I am currently providing. I am hoping this information helps you in the New Year as you have taken the step to find some help for yourself, your child or your loved one.
I know the process of finding help can be hugely overwhelming. How do you know who the right therapist is for you? How do you pick someone? What if no one ever calls you back? And what do you do about all of these never-ending waitlists? It can be exhausting. In fact, one of the first Blog Posts I ever posted on here was about choosing the right therapist for you.
I tend to use my Blog as a way to share new information to those of you who stumble across my website in your search for a therapist. I hope that you read this and it helps you a bit in your process. So what I want to address is two things: one, how to navigate a Waitlist and two, what services you can access while you wait.
#1 Waitlists
If you are very far into your search, you have likely already realized that many or most providers have Waitlists. If you are just starting out your search, I apologize for being the bearer of bad news – not only are Waitlists the norm, but for specialists, they can be quite long. At the time that I am writing this my waitlist is currently running around 12-14 months out. So let me give you some tips about Waitlists.
1. Get on all the waitlists! It may seem like a ridiculous amount of time to wait on a list, but many people who opt out of the waitlist end up circling back six months later and then have to start their year long wait.
2. Communicate. I will often check in with people on my waitlist to see if they are still interested. This helps me to plan, give out accurate estimates on wait times, and also helps me to keep in mind that you are still in need. It goes a long ways.
3. Hedge your bets. It is perfectly ok and acceptable to get on a waitlist for a therapist who specializes in treating a specific diagnosis, but then begin more “general counseling” with another practitioner while you wait. Many of my clients have a primary therapist who provides them with supportive counseling. Once a spot becomes available on my waitlist, you can choose to pause therapy with your current counselor, transfer care fully to me, or simply add in sessions with me to focus on your specialty care. We are a treatment team!
#2 Alternate Services
If you are stuck on a waitlist or you are not able to access specialty care, I do offer alternatives to individual therapy that can either supplement general counseling services or get you started on your treatment journey while you wait. I will outline those services below, as it can be a bit confusing understanding your options.
1. Parenting Classes for Anxious Children. These parenting classes are based upon the SPACE Treatment model which has been research proven to reduce anxiety symptoms in children via parent behavior change and also reduce stress and conflict within the family. While the research supports these positive outcomes, I have also noticed that when parents take the parent class, their child often doesn’t need to be in therapy as long once they become my client. I offer these classes on an ongoing basis and so can always get you in for the next round within a month or so. Click here for more info about parenting classes.
2. OCD Group Therapy for Kids and Teens. I also run Group Therapy for youth with OCD. While these groups are not a replacement for individual therapy, group members learn about OCD, learn how to fight back against it, and begin working on exposure therapy goals. Kids also report feeling very validated to meet other group members with similar experiences. Click here for more info about OCD Groups.
3. OCD Group Therapy for Adults. This is my next project in the New Year. If you are interested in attending an OCD Group for adults, please reach out to express interest. If I have enough participants, I will work to get a group off the ground and running. This is a great way to get some support while you are waiting and also to learn. From others who are experiencing similar stressors.
Although groups may not be a full replacement for individual therapy, they definitely can help you to begin your treatment journey much faster and start you on the path of understanding anxiety and the ways to manage anxiety in yourself or your child. Additionally, groups can be an excellent supplement to more general counseling, especially if your therapist is not an OCD or anxiety specialist. Finally, groups offer parents and children the opportunity to connect with others and feel validated and less alone.
And that’s it. That outlines for you all of the services I offer at this time. Please do not hesitate to inquire with questions about either my waitlist, individual therapy, or group options.
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