Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where are you located? How can I access your services? What type of problems does your staff normally handle? What age groups does your agency serve? How is confidentiality handled? What insurance companies do you accept? How can I pay for therapy? How long does therapy take? How long does a session normally last? How do I know if my child needs counseling? What do I do if my child is talking about drugs, sex/sexual identity, suicide or other serious problems, such as problems at school? What is play therapy?
Where are you located?
	Robert A. Pascal Youth and Family Services, Inc. is located in Park Plaza in Severna Park at 570H Ritchie Highway.
How can I access your services?
	Please call the agency at 410-975-0067 to speak with a staff member and provide some background information. A therapist will then contact you to schedule an initial intake appointment.
What type of problems does your staff normally handle?
	Family conflict/blended-family issues: families in transition, communication issues, parenting skills, parent/child conflict, marital/partner conflict School problems: poor academic performance, truancy, peer conflict Substance abuse prevention and treatment: individual and family education and counseling, addiction assessment and intervention, urinalysis screenings Physical and sexual abuse intervention: service coordination and referral to Child Protective Services, individual and family therapy, teenage survivors of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, relationship violence Suicide prevention and intervention Crisis intervention Other problem areas addressed Difficulties with moods: unipolar and bipolar depression, anxiety and stress Self-esteem issues: life transition, career issues Sexuality: sexual orientation, gender identity Developmental issues: Autism, Aspergers, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Grief and bereavement Codependency Eating disorders Anger and control problems Compulsions and obsessions Juvenile delinquency and conduct issues
What age groups does your agency serve?
	We serve children five and older, adolescents and adults.
How is confidentiality handled?
	Every effort is made to ensure confidentiality for all clients of Robert A. Pascal Youth and Family Services, Inc. In order to release information, written permission from the client must be obtained, which includes the reason or reasons for the release. There are several circumstances that will mandate the disclosure of certain information to certain agencies, such as if a client threatens to harm themselves or others. In the event that the referral source, such as the Department of Juvenile Justice, mandates disclosure of certain information, a release will be signed before the commencement of treatment. Confidentiality is one of the basic tenants of effective therapy and Robert A. Pascal Youth and Family Services, Inc. strives to safeguard this principle at all times.
What insurance companies do you accept?
	Maryland Health Partners/Managed Care Network, United Health Care, Americaid, Free State Health Plan, JH Priority Partners, Med Star Physician Partners (formerly Helix), JAI, Maryland Physician Care, Prime Health, CareFirst, Blue Cross/Blue Shield
How can I pay for therapy?
	The standard fee for the initial therapy session or intake session is $120 and $80 for each additional session. We also accept many Blue Cross/Blue Shield policies which may cover full or partial payment of the therapy session. The insured may be required to pay a co-pay based on the individual insurance policy. RAPYFS also accepts Medical Assistance, which generally covers the entire cost of a therapy session.
How long does therapy take?
	Well, that depends on how deeply you want to experience health. In four to six weeks, after assessing your specific issues with you, we can provide you with skills and tools you can use to manage situations of conflict and stress. These ideas may help you simply solve your immediate problems. However, some individuals and families choose to go a little deeper in their understanding of how mental health is created and maintained. They choose to take time to grasp the fundamentals of how their thoughts create their individual perceptions of life experiences. These are clients who choose to spend three to 12 months grasping the understanding at the heart of mental health. The clinicians at Robert A. Pascal Youth and Family Services, Inc. will accommodate whatever time-frame the family chooses. Even after individuals and families complete their work with us, there are some who return for various time intervals for a "booster shot" of encouragement and support, or on occasion, to work through difficult crises.
How long does a session normally last?
	The length of a session varies depending on the type of session. The initial intake session usually takes 90 minutes. A regular individual session is 50 minutes long. A group session lasts anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes.
How do I know if my child needs counseling?
	Indications that a child may benefit from counseling include excessive anger, worry, sadness, fear, excessive shyness, low self-esteem, behavior that interferes with making friends, problems with eating or sleeping, problems at school, difficulty adjusting to family changes, divorce or separation of parents, death of a close family member or friends, or a traumatic experience.
What do I do if my child is talking about drugs, sex/sexual identity, suicide or other serious problems, such as problems at school?
	First and foremost, listen, listen and then listen some more. It is often difficult and may feel impossible not to want to "help" one's child by immediately saying or doing the right thing. Sometimes the right thing is to listen more and talk and do less. Often times a parent or guardian does not know the "right" thing to do or say. Certainly, if it is a topic that is uncomfortable, it is safe to redirect the child to an appropriate adult, professional or peer. Try not to judge, criticize, lecture or "fix" the problem. Provide the child with feedback about the feelings heard, not necessarily the content of the message heard. Assure the child that they are not alone in what they are feeling and that there is someone they can talk to who will be able to provide more expert guidance. Being the parent or guardian automatically precludes that person from being an expert. Always seek professional help, even if the child is resistant to doing so. Lastly, remember, too, that you are not alone. You also cannot possibly have all the answers; you deserve the support and guidance of professionals, as well. In the event that a child is talking about harming themselves or someone else, do not wait, seek help right away. Call 911 if necessary and/or take the child to the nearest emergency room for evaluation.
What is play therapy?
	Children do not have the cognitive maturity to benefit from talking through their problems like adults can. Play is the child's natural way of developing, learning and expressing feelings. Play therapy offers the child a chance to use the power of his or her creativity and imagination to heal and grow. Play therapy takes place in a special playroom equipped with the toys, art supplies and games that empower children to create a world they can master through play.