Frequently Asked Questions

Finding services for your child can be overwhelming. If you cannot find the answers you are looking for, our team is happy to answer any questions you have during their complementary consultation call with you.

General FAQs

  • Brightside Psychology operates as a self-pay practice and does not accept insurance. We do accept HSA/FSA payments and can create a superbill. Because our services are customized for each child, we do not have a standard pricing model. Our consultation calls are completely free. During this call, we will discuss your child’s needs and provide a clear outline of the estimated costs for our recommended services. If our services do not fit your budget, we will help you find a suitable referral.

  • Yes. I am a licensed psychologist authorized to complete and sign the Comptroller’s Disability Certification Form when I have personally conducted a comprehensive evaluation. The form requires current, defensible documentation, which is why a full evaluation is necessary. More info here.

  • Before the initial consultation call, think about the specific concerns or challenges you have regarding you or your child’s emotional wellbeing. It’s helpful to have any relevant background information ready to share during the call.

  • During the intake appointment, we gather detailed information about you/your child’s needs and your concerns. It can be helpful to bring any previous evaluations or school paperwork related to your concerns to the appointment. Our clinicians will work with you to develop a personalized plan that may include further evaluations or ongoing therapy. This session sets the foundation for our work together and helps us create a tailored approach to address your/ your child's unique challenges.

  • Yes, we provide resources and support for parents to help you understand and support your child’s emotional wellbeing. We may offer educational materials or recommend additional support services as needed. Dr. Kelly updates this post regularly as well: https://www.brightsidetx.com/blog1/2024/02/26/evidence-based-parenting-resources

  • We understand that schedules can change, and we do our best to be flexible. To help us serve all families effectively, we ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

    • Counseling Appointments: Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed without notice, will incur a $195 cancellation fee.

    • Testing Appointments: Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed without notice, will be charged at 50% of the scheduled testing fee.

    If an appointment is missed, please contact our office to reschedule if you would like to continue services. If we do not hear from you within 10 days of a missed appointment, we will assume that you have chosen to discontinue services.

    After two missed appointments without prior notice, we may recommend transitioning to another provider who can better accommodate your scheduling needs.

    Thank you for understanding! This policy helps us protect dedicated time for all of the children and families we serve.

Evaluation FAQs

  • Dr. Kelly is trained to conduct many different types of evaluations, including (but not limited to):

    Neurodevelopmental Disorders: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disorders (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia), Intellectual Disability

    Mood Disorders: Anxiety disorders, Depression, DMDD, Bipolar Disorder, OCD

    ...and any other concerns with mood, emotions, behavior, learning, or social interaction.

    Dr. Kelly can also conduct IQ testing for entry into private schools.

  • The duration of the evaluation process can vary depending on your child’s individual needs. Based on the personalized evaluation plan created with Dr. Kelly and the parent at the intake, the child will participate in 1-3 testing sessions during the school day. These sessions are typically scheduled within one month of the intake appointment. A feedback session with be scheduled after the final testing session, typically between 3-4 weeks after. This process is essential for a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation.

  • Once the evaluation is complete, a feedback session with parents will be scheduled to discuss the results and recommendations. This session will provide you with insights into your child’s needs and a plan for moving forward, whether it’s scheduling a therapy session or other support services.

  • While Dr. Kelly is an expert at building rapport, it helps if the child/teen has an idea of why they are coming to this appointment. The basics are usually along the lines of "We want to better understand how you learn, so we can set you up for success at home and school!"

    This is an amazing, thorough resource for talking to your child about testing: https://drlizangoff.com/assessments/talking-to-your-child-about-testing/

    It can also help to introduce Dr. Kelly & the office prior to attending that first appointment. Click here for an intro from Dr. Kelly to your child: https://www.brightsidetx.com/for-your-child

Therapy FAQs

  • There are many reasons therapy might not have been effective in the past. Sometimes, it may simply be that the child psychologist wasn’t the right fit for your family. A common issue is a lack of accurate understanding of the child from the start. At Brightside Psychology, our initial discovery calls and intake sessions are designed to build a comprehensive understanding of your child’s needs. We continuously monitor progress to ensure positive growth. If we don’t see the improvements we hope for, we’ll help you find another pediatric therapist who might be a better fit. Book your free consultation call today to see how Brightside Psychology can work with your family.

  • Therapy sessions are typically scheduled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on your child’s needs and availability. The frequency of sessions will be discussed and tailored during the intake appointment. This ensures that we provide consistent support and address your child's emotional and behavioral challenges effectively.

  • Our therapy services are personalized to each child. We may use various therapeutic approaches based on your child’s specific needs, including cognitive-behavioral techniques, solution-focused therapy, parent coaching, or other evidence-based methods. This personalized approach helps address issues like anxiety, behavioral problems, and emotional wellbeing.

  • Yes, we encourage parental involvement. Each therapy session includes a brief check-in with you before and after the session to discuss progress and any concerns. You are the most important member of your child's treatment team, and your involvement helps us make and maintain progress.

  • We track your child’s progress through regular assessments and feedback during therapy sessions. Our goal is to see positive growth and improvements. If progress is not meeting expectations, we will adjust the approach or refer you to another practitioner if needed, ensuring we find the best support for your child's needs.

  • It’s important that your child feels comfortable with the therapy process. If your child has any concerns or discomfort, we will address these issues and adjust our approach to ensure a positive and supportive experience.