How much will my insurance cover? 

We strongly recommend that you contact the customer service via the phone number typically found on the back of your insurance card. They will be able to tell you what your out-of-pocket expenses will be. Specific billing codes we typically use: 90791 (intake assessment); 90837 (60-minute therapy session); 90834 (45-minute therapy session); 90853 (group). The out-of-pocket costs of our services can be found on our website under the tab “Getting Started”. 

What does the onboarding process look like? 

After the introductory phone call (optional), you will be sent an email to set up a patient portal; all of the intake paperwork is done electronically through the portal. Once the paperwork is complete, the individual therapist will reach out to schedule the intake assessment (2 hours). Following the intake assessment, you and your child will enter ‘pretreatment’, also referred to as ‘orientation & commitment’. Following the completion of pretreatment, your child will begin meeting with their individual therapist for weekly therapy sessions. The skills group component typically begins 1-2 months after the intake assessment.  

What is the purpose of the ‘pretreatment’ (aka ‘orientation & commitment’) sessions? 

These sessions are an opportunity for the therapist, teen, and parent to get to know one another before fully committing to the treatment. The therapist will thoroughly explain Dialectical Behavior Therapy, including the philosophies and the specific treatment strategies used. The therapist will provide a 21-page packet that will be reviewed together over the course of the 2-3 pretreatment sessions. 

What appointments do I need to attend with my child? When applicable, which parent/caregiver should attend? 

We request that you attend the following appointments: the intake assessment: one, 2-hour appointment; pretreatment sessions: two-three, 1-hour appointments; multifamily skills group: once a week for six months, 2-hour sessions; family sessions: 1-hour, as needed. 

We encourage the parent/caregiver who attends the groups with the adolescent to do so as consistently as possible. In our experience, treatment is significantly less effective when parents attempt to alternate who attends the appointments. If two parents are able and willing to commit to attending each week, they are welcome to do so. 

When are the multifamily skills groups (MFSG)? 

At this time, The Oak Center runs two MFSG sessions per week: Mondays from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. The Monday group typically hosts our younger adolescents (ages 12-14) and the Wednesday group hosts the older adolescents (15-18). We make exceptions to these age guidelines on a case by case basis. 

My child is very resistant to starting therapy. Can we still do the program? 

Teens are oftentimes nervous and/or willful about starting treatment. Our therapists are very skilled at increasing a teen’s comfort and willingness to do the program. However, if your child remains resistant throughout the pretreatment stage, we might recommend re-evaluating whether this is a good fit. The treatment only works if the client (the adolescent) does the work. 

Can my child continue with their current therapist? 

We do not recommend that an adolescent continue with their current therapist, as having two therapists is often contraindicated. We ask that your child either pause treatment with their current therapist or discharge completely. The decision about whether to pause or discharge from the current treatment regimen should be discussed with those currently providing treatment. 

Can my child enroll in part of the treatment (ie. doing only the individual therapy OR only the MFSG)?

No. The research indicates that the most effective approach is to enroll in “full mode” DBT, meaning weekly individual therapy, weekly MFSG, and utilization of phone coaching as needed.