Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Who do you work with? I work with children (generally ages 4+), teens, and adults with a special focus on neurodivergent individuals and the families raising them. I see kids with ADHD, sensory differences, autism, and PDA profiles, as well as women who are burned out, overwhelmed, or navigating their own neurodivergence. I also offer parent coaching and family sessions.

➤ Where are you located? Kaleidoscope Mental Health is located in Salt Lake City, Utah at The Offices at Fifth, Suite 300. I offer in-person sessions at this location. Please contact me if you have questions about directions or parking.

➤ Are you LGBTQ+ affirming? Yes. My practice is fully affirming and inclusive. I welcome clients of all genders, sexual orientations, and family structures. LGBTQ+ youth and parents are always welcome here.

➤ Do you offer telehealth or online therapy? Please contact me to ask about current telehealth availability. Some services may be offered remotely depending on your needs and location within Utah.

Services & Specialties

➤ What is play therapy? Play therapy is a research-backed, developmentally appropriate approach to helping children process emotions, build self-awareness, and develop coping skills using toys, art, stories, and movement instead of traditional talk therapy. Children naturally communicate through play, so this approach meets them exactly where they are. I use evidence-based models including Adlerian Play Therapy and Child-Centered Play therapy, tailored to each child's unique strengths.

➤ What issues do you specialize in? My areas of focus include:

  • ADHD in children, teens, and adults

  • Sensory processing differences and regulation challenges

  • Autism and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profiles

  • Anxiety and emotional overwhelm

  • Parenting stress and family conflict

  • Women's mental health including burnout, perfectionism, and masking

  • Support for neurodivergent families

  • Childhood behavioral challenges and big emotions

  • Trauma

➤ What is the difference between therapy and parent coaching? Therapy is a clinical service where the child or adult is the identified client, and we work on emotional processing, skill-building, and healing over time. Parent coaching is focused on you as the caregiver, building practical strategies, routines, and responses that work for your neurodivergent child's nervous system and your family's real life. Some families benefit from both. We can talk through what makes the most sense during your free consultation.

➤ How do I know if my child needs therapy vs. it just being a phase? This is one of the most common questions parents ask. And honestly, one of the hardest to answer from the outside. A few things worth considering:

Duration and intensity matter. Most kids go through hard stretches that pass on their own. But if the behavior or emotion has been going on for more than a few weeks, is getting more intense instead of leveling off, or is significantly affecting your child's school, friendships, sleep, or daily life that's a signal worth taking seriously.

It's also worth paying attention to how you are doing. If you're walking on eggshells, dreading certain times of day, or feeling like nothing you try is working that's real. Parent coaching can help even when a child's struggles fall in the "gray zone."

When in doubt, reach out. A free consultation costs nothing and gives you the chance to talk it through with someone who understands neurodivergent kids. You don't need to be certain there's a problem to ask for support.

➤ Do you work with kids who have a PDA profile? Yes. I have specialized experience supporting children with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile, which is often misunderstood or missed. Low-demand parenting and collaborative approaches are a core part of how I work with these families.

➤ Do you offer ADHD evaluations or testing? I do not provide formal psychological testing or ADHD diagnoses, that requires a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. However, I do offer therapy and coaching for individuals and families already navigating an ADHD diagnosis, and I can help connect you with evaluation resources if you're seeking one.

➤ Do you offer workshops or trainings for schools or community groups? Yes! I offer trainings for parents, teachers, therapists, faith communities, and other groups who want to better understand and support neurodivergent children and adults. Topics include ADHD through a nervous system lens, how ADHD shows up in girls and women, low-demand parenting, and building more inclusive environments. Reach out to discuss a customized training for your group.

Getting Started

➤ What happens in the first session? The first session is about getting to know each other and starting to build a plan together. There's no pressure to share everything right away, we'll move at your pace. For child clients, the first session often involves time with parents only to understand your concerns and goals.

➤ How do I get started? The easiest first step is to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. This gives us a chance to talk through your needs and make sure we're a good fit before you commit to anything. From there, we'll schedule an intake session and move forward together. You can book through the scheduling page or reach out via the contact form.

➤ How long does therapy typically take? This varies a lot depending on what you're working on and how things go. Some clients come for a focused period of a few months; others work with me longer-term. Play therapy for children often takes several months to show meaningful change, since kids need time to build trust and do the work through play. I'll give you honest feedback along the way and we'll make decisions about length of treatment together.

➤ How often will we meet? Most clients start with weekly sessions, especially early on. As things stabilize, we may shift to every other week. We'll figure out a schedule that fits your needs and your life.

Fees & Insurance

➤ How much do sessions cost?

  • Individual and parent sessions: $150 per 50-minute session

  • Family sessions $175 per 50-minute session

  • Play therapy (children): $150 per 50-minute session

  • Extended or family sessions: $220 per 80-minute session

  • Free 15-minute consultation: No charge

➤ Do you take insurance? Yes! I am in-network with the following insurance plans:

  • Select Health

  • United Healthcare

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • EMI Health

  • PEHP (Public Employees Health Program)

If you have one of these plans, your sessions may be covered in full or in part depending on your benefits. I recommend calling the member services number on the back of your insurance card to ask about your mental health benefits and any copay or deductible that may apply.

If you have a plan not listed here, I can provide a superbill you may submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. HSA and FSA cards are also accepted.

I am working toward accepting insurance directly and will update this page as soon as that process is complete.

➤ What is a superbill? A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes the diagnostic and service codes your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network reimbursement claim. I'm happy to provide one upon request. I recommend calling your insurance company ahead of time to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.

➤ Do you offer a sliding scale? I reserve a limited number of sliding-scale spots for families experiencing financial hardship. Please don't let cost stop you from reaching out. Ask about availability and we'll see what we can work out.

➤ What forms of payment do you accept? I accept all major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards. Payment is due at the time of service.

What to Expect

➤ What does a typical play therapy session look like for my child? Your child will spend most of the session in the playroom with me, which is stocked with toys, art supplies, and sensory tools. I follow your child's lead, there's no agenda to "talk about feelings" or perform. Over time, the play naturally reflects and processes what your child is working through emotionally. I'll check in with you briefly before or after sessions so you're always in the loop.

➤ Will I be involved in my child's therapy? Absolutely. Parent involvement is a key part of how I work. Depending on the approach we use, I may meet with you separately for parent coaching sessions, include you in check-ins, or work toward bringing you into sessions over time (as in Child-Parent Relationship Therapy). You're not dropped off at the curb, you're part of the process.

➤ What if my child refuses to come or says they don't want therapy? This is really common! Most kids warm up quickly once they see the playroom, there are no worksheets, no pressure to talk, just a really cool space to play. I'll never force a child to do anything they're not ready for. For reluctant teens, we'd talk through what approach might feel most comfortable. Reach out and we can figure out together how to make the first visit feel as low-pressure as possible.

Have a question that's not answered here? Contact us we'd love to hear from you.