Question 1

Where can I find your office?

Accepted Answer

You can find my office in the Carriage Hill Office Building, located at 2290 E 4500 S, Suite 180, in Holladay, Utah. If the building is locked during your appointment time, please send me a message, and I'll assist you.

Question 2

Should I do in-person or online therapy?

Accepted Answer

I believe in-person sessions are most effective, especially for play therapy. However, I am able to accommodate telehealth session requests easily.

Question 3

What can I expect during my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

For Adults:
The intake session will focus on understanding your background and life experiences. We will explore your foundational upbringing and discuss the key events and challenges that have shaped your journey. This is an opportunity for you to share your personal history in a safe and supportive environment, allowing us to establish a comprehensive understanding of your unique needs.

For Children:
The initial intake session for parents or guardians is focused on gathering important information regarding your child’s history and current concerns. This time allows you to share insights about your child’s behavior and experiences openly, without concerns about needing to censor any details.

For the child’s first session, the focus will be on building rapport and establishing a trusting relationship between the therapist and child. We will also introduce the therapy room and provide an orientation to play therapy, helping the child feel comfortable and engaged in the process.

Question 4

What is the typical duration of therapy for me or my child?

Accepted Answer

The length of therapy varies based on individual needs and goals. For children, it often depends on their developmental stage and the challenges being addressed. Typically, therapy can range from a few months to over a year, with regular check-ins to assess progress. During our first consultation, we’ll discuss your unique situation and outline a personalized plan. Some individuals also choose ongoing therapy for consistent support, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Question 5

Can you explain what play therapy is?

Accepted Answer

Play therapy is a specialized approach designed to help children express their emotions, improve communication, and work through challenges—all through the power of play. At Playful Minds, I create a safe, nurturing space where children can explore their feelings using techniques like role-playing, storytelling, and expressive arts. This method is especially effective for addressing issues like anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and trauma, helping children build coping skills, self-esteem, and social connections.

Question 6

What is sand tray therapy?

Accepted Answer

Sand Tray Therapy (or Sand Play Therapy) is a powerful and therapeutic approach often used in play therapy to help individuals express themselves, explore emotions, and work through challenges in a non-verbal, hands-on way.
In this type of therapy, clients—typically children but also adults—are given a tray filled with sand and a variety of miniature figures, objects, and toys. These objects might represent people, animals, nature, or abstract concepts, and clients are encouraged to create scenes, stories, or scenarios within the sand.

Here’s how it works:
Creative Expression: The sand and objects provide a medium for the client to externalize and symbolize their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. For children, this can be especially helpful because it allows them to express complex emotions or situations they may not have the words for.
Safe Exploration: The process of creating a scene in the sand can serve as a safe space for clients to explore difficult topics, such as trauma, conflict, or interpersonal issues, without the pressure of direct verbal communication. It’s also a way for the therapist to understand the client's inner world, conflicts, and thought processes.
Non-Verbal Communication: For children, in particular, sand tray therapy provides an alternative to traditional talk therapy. Many children find it easier to communicate and process feelings through play rather than through conversation.
Therapeutic Insight: The therapist observes the scenes or narratives created in the sand tray to gain insight into the client's emotional state, worldview, and unresolved issues. They can then use this information to guide the therapeutic process, gently exploring themes and offering support.
Empowerment: Sand tray therapy allows clients to have control over their creation in a way that can feel empowering, helping them feel more capable and resilient as they confront and navigate their emotional landscapes.
While sand tray therapy is most commonly used with children, it can also be a highly effective tool for adults, particularly in trauma recovery, stress management, or when exploring deeper emotional issues.

Question 7

How much do therapy sessions cost?

Accepted Answer

The initial intake session is $250, and each session after that is $165 for a 45 minute session or $195 for a 53 minute session. You can pay using a credit card, HSA card, or Care Credit card. If I don't accept your insurance, you may be able to use out-of-network benefits for reimbursement with a superbill. Let me know if you’d like guidance on this process.

Question 8

What are the benefits of not utilizing insurance?

Accepted Answer

I currently accept select insurance plans through the third-party billing company, Headway. However, I am in the process of independently credentialing with insurance companies to offer services directly, which will eliminate the need for a middleman. As a result, the list of insurance plans I accept may change in the future.

However, there are benefits of not utilizing therapy.

It allows me to: 
-maintain your privacy and confidentiality. Insurance companies frequently audit files and deny claims and services as they deem fit. By not using insurance, you get full control over who gets access to your records.
-not be required to diagnose. In order to have insurance reimburse for services, there needs to be a qualifying medical diagnosis. Many clients seek out therapy for self-growth and normal life stressors, which do not meet requirements for a mental health diagnosis. Some people also choose not to have a diagnosis on file, because they do not want it impacting things like life insurance or job opportunities. This is your right and something you get to decide by not using insurance. 
- work with you on deciding how often and when to meet. Insurance companies like to decide how long sessions are, how frequently they are, and even how long treatment should be. This does not work in real life and is not tailored to your specific needs. You and I can decide on length and frequency of sessions.

Question 9

How does a superbill help with insurance reimbursement for therapy?

Accepted Answer

A superbill is a detailed receipt you can request after receiving therapy services if your insurance isn’t directly accepted. It includes key details like service dates, therapy type, diagnosis codes, and fees. You can submit this document to your insurance provider to seek reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. While I don’t bill insurance companies directly, a superbill gives you the tools to potentially recover some or all of your therapy costs, making quality mental health care more accessible.

Question 10

What is your accessibility statement?

Accepted Answer

This is an accessibility statement from Playful Minds PLLC.

Conformance status
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. Playful Minds PLLC is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.

Feedback
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Playful Minds PLLC. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on Playful Minds PLLC:

E-mail: kristenthomascmhc@gmail.com

We try to respond to feedback within 2 business days.

This statement was created on 10 February 2025 using the W3C Accessibility Statement Generator Tool.

Kristen Thomas
Salt Lake City, UT Therapist
Idaho Telehealth Therapist
Pennsylvania Telehealth Therapist

FAQ

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