my approach
My counseling style aims to create a trusting and safe space for healing from within and support connection with our authentic selves.
working with me
I work collaboratively alongside families and enjoy providing parents and caregivers with resources and tools to support their own regulation during challenging moments.
With the understanding that each child is unique, I utilize the therapeutic powers of play with a relationship-based, neuroscience-informed approach to help children feel capable and know they matter.
Please see below for some commonly asked questions. Reach out if you would like to schedule a free 15-minute consultation or contact me for more information.
Debra Delois Carabantes
MA, LCMHCA, NCC & Certified Synergetic Play Therapist
FAQs
What services do you provide?
WNC Play Connections, PLLC provides the following services:
- Child and play therapy for ages 3-11
- Synergetic play therapy, which is a research-informed modality that combines play therapy with neuroscience and relational attunement to support nervous system healing in all stages of life and development.
- Individual and family counseling
- Parent/caregiver consultations
What do you treat?
I have experience addressing a variety of concerns children, teens or caregivers may experience, including grief/loss, adoption, attachment disruptions, anxiety, separation or school anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, externalizing behaviors, anger, relationship concerns, and developmental considerations.
What are the therapeutic benefits of play therapy?
Some benefits of play include increased communication, self-expression, emotional wholeness and well-being, stress prevention and management, improved understanding, enhanced social skills and empathy, development of personal strengths such as problem-solving, creativity, resiliency, self-regulation and empowerment.
— Schaefer, C. E., & Drewes, A. A. (Eds.), (2014)
Do you take insurance?
Yes. I am in network with Aetna, Aetna SHP and BCBS. If your insurance is out of network, I accept self-pay and offer a sliding scale on a pre-arranged basis.
What’s the process for getting started?
The first step to working together would be to schedule an initial consultation. This is a 15-20 minute time where I am available to answer any questions you may have to help you decide if you would like to move forward.
What is your good-faith estimate for out-of-network care?
Effective January 1, 2022, a ruling went into effect called the “No Surprises Act” which requires practitioners to provide a “Good Faith Estimate” of the costs you may incur as a result of utilizing out-of-network medical care.
The Good Faith Estimate works to show the cost of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service, a diagnosis, and a reason for therapy.
The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created. The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur and will be provided a new “Good Faith Estimate” should this occur.
If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill if you and your therapist have not previously talked about the change and you have not been given an updated good faith estimate.
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request, or at the time of scheduling health care items and services to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
Timeline requirements:
Practitioners are required to provide a good faith estimate of expected charges for a scheduled or requested service, including items or services that are reasonably expected to be provided in conjunction with such scheduled or requested item or service.
That estimate must be provided within specified timeframes:
- If the service is scheduled at least three business days before the appointment date, no later than one business day after the date of scheduling
- If the service is scheduled at least 10 business days before the appointment date, no later than three business days after the date of scheduling
- If the uninsured or self-pay patient requests a good faith estimate (without scheduling the service), no later than three business days after the date of the request.
- A new good faith estimate must be provided, within the specified timeframes if the patient reschedules the requested item or service.
Common Services at WNC Play Connections, PLLC, with our “full fee” per session:
- 90791: Initial therapy intake session = $160
- 90837: Ongoing therapy appointments (53-60 minutes) = $160
- 90834: Ongoing therapy appointments (37-53 minutes) = $125
- 90847: Family appointments (approximately 30-55 minutes) = $160
- 90846: Family appointments without client present: (approximately 30-55 minutes) = $140
You and your therapist will continually assess the appropriate frequency of therapy and will work together to determine when you have met your goals and/or a new “Good Faith Estimate” can be requested at any time.
Please speak to your therapist with any questions or concerns you have related to your diagnosis and we can provide you with additional information and/or documentation upon request.