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School-Based Therapy
School-based therapy is an outpatient service provided by an employee of Integrated Family Services for mental health and substance use cases within schools.
What is School-Based Therapy?
School-based therapy is a mental health/substance use outpatient service that is provided within the school. We recognize that many students could benefit from services provided in an outpatient setting but face barriers such as parents’ work schedules, lack of transportation, economic constraints, or concerns about the impact on the student’s academic standing.
School-based therapists are not school counselors and provide a different kind of support to students. All of our school-based therapists are licensed mental health professionals who have experience diagnosing and treating mental illness in children and adolescents. Most of our referrals come from school counselors who recognize that a student may benefit from mental health services or additional support. Students who would benefit from school-based therapy are those who are experiencing emotional and behavioral problems that are hindering and interfering with their learning environment, as well as students who have a mental health or substance use diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the SBT is an employee of Integrated Family Services. Integrated Family Services offers this service to your local school district at no charge to the school.
Honestly, there is no difference, except that our School-Based Therapists can serve multiple locations because your school system has opened office spaces for them in the schools providing School-Based Therapy.
Yes, unless you have given the SBT permission, in writing, to do otherwise. We do recommend consent with primary doctors and the school to provide comprehensive and accurate care. It is helpful when the school can inform us of behavioral or emotional problems they observe in the student. Also, we have to report any suicidal threats, homicidal threats, abuse, and neglect.
Sessions are approximately 40-60 minutes and usually occur bi-weekly, but the frequency is determined on an individual basis. We cannot guarantee specific times, but if there is a class your child can not miss, please let us know, and we will do our best to avoid it.
Yes. Psychiatric appointments will be available; our SBT will work closely with the psychiatrist to provide continuity of care.
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Talk to your school counselor. The school counselor will assist you with the referral process.
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Make sure we accept your insurance: NC Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Medicaid, and students with no insurance.
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The SBT will call and ask a few questions to ensure that School-Based Therapy is a good fit for your child.
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Make an appointment for an assessment. The SBT will be happy to meet you and your child at your home.