Frequently Asked Questions

First and foremost, we are so excited that you have taken this first step! We understand that this process may be new to some. We hope that these details answer the questions you have and dispel any confusion. It is our goal that you come to the first appointment filled with excitement and optimism!

Step 1. The first step will be to fill out the referral intake form. This form will gather some basics about you/your child’s demographic information, insurance information, and a brief description of why you are seeking services. The referral intake form can be found here. 

Step 2. Once completed, Dr. Gallant will receive the form via email. While filling out the form, you will be asked your preferred means of communication for scheduling purposes. Dr. Gallant will personally call, email, or text you to schedule. During this call, Dr. Gallant will be happy to answer any questions about the process and schedule the appointment. You will have access to Dr. Gallant’s email, phone, and text line should you have questions or need to reschedule leading up to the appointment.

Step 3. If you are using insurance, Dr. Gallant will verify insurance benefits and contact you should he have any concerns about the insurance.

Step 4. Once scheduled, you will receive a link to the introductory intake forms and client questionnaire. It is important to have the digital client forms packet completed prior to the appointment. Any questions about the forms should be directed to Dr. Gallant.

Step 5. The appointment!  The first appointment typically lasts around 45-50 minutes. This session consists of information gathering. Dr. Gallant will seek information about you/your child’s history. Questions about social history, family history, educational/work history, past use of therapeutic interventions, medical history will be gathered. Dr. Gallant will then seek to gather more information about what brings you into treatment. Remember, you will never be pressured to talk about topics you do not wish to. We are solely here to be a “waiter at your service” and to help with topics you feel comfortable discussing.

Step 6. At the conclusion of our initial session, Dr. Gallant will discuss possible session frequency and schedule additional appointments. Each client is unique in their concerns and need for treatment. Some clients and families prefer to be seen once a month while other clients appreciate weekly sessions. It is our objective to tailor your experience based off of clinical need and your comfort level.

This is always such a difficult question as we do not want to exclude anyone who may be a good candidate for our services! Dr. Gallant has worked with families with youth as young as 2 years old having difficulty with tantrums to young adults in their mid 20s trying to navigate life after college. Ms. Wright has extensive experience working with youth as young at 4 and adult populations. Dr. Gallant works with youth 12 and under while Ms. Wright focuses on the adolescents and young adult populations. If you have questions about the suitability of our services please contact Dr. Gallant directly at [email protected]

This is one of the most common questions asked prior to the first session. We take great value in spending time with the parent(s) and caregiver(s) to understand their perspective on the presenting challenges. Typically, it is important to have a parent only session for the first appointment. During that first session, parents can get familiar with Dr. Gallant, learn about possible treatment approaches, express concerns without the child present, and develop a plan to address presenting concerns. In most situations, the second session will include the child. However, many parents do find it important to have more individual time with Dr. Gallant before child sessions. Dr. Gallant truly does believe in providing a flexible, individually tailored service. Any questions or concerns about who should be present at the initial session can be addressed during the scheduling communication.

Sessions are tailored unique to each family. In some circumstances working directly with the child is critical while other situations may include the parent and child. Commonly, parents may choose to be the sole recipient of treatment. Historically, child psychology focused on the child being the primary recipient of treatment and responsible for change. Children would come meet with a counselor for 45 minutes to discuss problems that the parents had about the child. Many times the child would simply tell the counselor what they wanted to hear and “pull the wool over their eyes”. The science has evolved over the years and now an overwhelming body of research suggests that parent involvement is critical for facilitating change in the familial context. Our practice believes that parents are the orchestrators of the environment. Parents have frequent contact with children and adolescents, have transportation power, financial power, and power over developing rules and policies in the home. Some of the greatest emotional and behavioral change stems from having parents and caregivers leverage that power to increase a child’s social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive skill development. Even in instances where the focus of treatment is on the child’s anxiety, the parent can still foster anxiety management strategies in the home and create opportunities for emotional skill development. Of course, we use treatment strategies tailored to specific family need and adhere to a model of flexibility when working with children, adolescents, and families. While individual time with the child is critical, parental involvement is just as important! Dr. Gallant will be happy to discuss ways that the parent can foster treatment principles in the home!

Unfortunately, at this time we do not provide such services. We will always make it a point to help you find providers in the area who do such testing! If you have questions about academic, learning, neuropsychological, or psychological assessments, please discuss with Dr. Gallant. Dr. Gallant has an extensive history of conducting such assessments and can inform you about the process, what to expect, and help you find a provider who will give you an evaluation that meets your needs.

The Florida Center for Behavioral Health does not administer any type of medication. Medication is typically prescribed by a psychiatrist, pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, or primary care physician. We would be happy to direct you towards the appropriate medication dispensing provider.
We remain unbiased in whether an individual or family seeks medicinal options. It is not up to us to say if someone should or should not be on medication. We will always welcome your questions related to medication utilization and would be happy to provide current science on the topic and appropriate referrals.