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Is your child prepared??

Posted on by mykidsmentalhealth

As part of our “Life Prep” program, we encourage parents and young teens and adults alike to start preparing for launching as a successful adult at a young age.

Take a look at our “Life Pre” program; on sale during the holiday season through new years for $180 for all 8 sessions! Contact Dr. Kaplan at admin@washingtonanxietycenter.com if you are interested.

Here’s a great list to see if your child is prepared:

  1. Do they know how to make a phone call?
  2. Do they know how to book a doctor’s appointment for themselves?
  3. Do they know how to make a meal independently?
  4. Do they know how to shake hands properly?
  5. Do they know how to interview for a job?
  6. Do they know how to open a bank account? Write a check? Balance a checkbook?
  7. Do they know how to do dishes? Complete household chores independently?
  8. Do they know when to seek out help from others when needed? How to seek out professional services?
  9. Do they know how to address their emotions?
  10. Do they know how to problem solve?
  11. Do they know when to admit a mistake and how to communicate it?

This isn’t even a full list! Take the time during the holiday season to think this over! We are here to help!

Happy Holidays to all!

Dr. Kaplan

Life-Prep! An 8-session course taught by Dr. Kaplan herself! Available now!

Posted on by mykidsmentalhealth

Fifteen-years ago Dr. Kaplan began her clinical work with young adults who had “failed to launch” successfully into independent life. In working with these individuals, she noticed despite the best and most current evidence-based treatment available, progress was taking a significant amount of time and effort. These individuals struggled to gain traction in financial, housing, employment, health, and social independence. 

According to the Pew Research Center (2021), 52% of young adults (ages 18-24) are living with their childhood caretakers, a number which is now higher than during the Great Depression. Around 16% cannot gain any employment (Part-time or otherwise). This number has been steadily increasing over the years (e.g., in 2016 was approximately 45%). While the numbers increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not over and above what the trends had projected. The pandemic merely highlighted young adults failing to leave the home and gain independence as an issue of increasing alarm and concern.

The problem of “failure to launch” is well-covered by both mainstream media as well as the mental health community with Scientific American, Georgetown University, and Psychology Today.

The Life Prep Program is Based on Actual Patient Feedback 

During our many weekly staff meetings, the clinicians at our practice would repeatedly say “failure to launch” issues could have been prevented if at a younger age (13-21) these individuals could have developed a psychological, skills-based tool kit that would help to lessen the concerns later on or even prevent them entirely. Dr. Kaplan listened and incorporated her clinical experience, and those on her staff, to develop the “Life-Prep Program.” She combined the opinions and needs of individuals experiencing “failure to launch” and their parental support systems in this prevention and foundations program.

How the Life Prep Program Works

The Life-Prep program is an 8-week, interactive, course that covers the following topics in depth. 

Week 1: Learning our own strengths, weaknesses, and limitations

Week 2: Learning adult responsibilities

Week 3: Distress Tolerance

Week 4: Managing your social connections and expectations

Week 5: Problem solving and opportunities for “successful failures”

Week 6: Decision-making and organizational skills

Week 7: Using “skills” rather than “passion” to determine life satisfaction

Week 8: Goal setting: Making specific but flexible plans

Click here to purchase! Just click here: https://lifeprep.teachable.com/p/life-prep-foundations-program1

For the Cost of 1 session, you receive 8 sessions worth of skills!

We hope you enjoy and value the class like we do!

Dr. K

Introducing the Life-Prep Program!

Posted on by mykidsmentalhealth

After 3 years of pulling insane hours and running a full-time practice, the Life-Prep program is finally available!

After treating “failure to launch” clinically work for over 15 years, I was personally able to spend time and reverse engineer the skills and principles for a proactive approach for everyone (not just a clinical population).

The program is intended for 13-25 year olds to learn the psychological skills to be proactive in becoming a successful and independent young adult after college (or post-grad program). 13/14 is the ideal age to do the program.

What I learned in this process is that schools thought parents were teaching these skills and parents thought schools were when, in fact, no one was! Ball was dropped!

It comes in an individual format (8 weekly sessions), taught by myself, and also a version available for schools to purchase as part of their health-based curriculum.

It’s actually really reasonable (cheap) for the cost of 8 sessions. We wanted to make this accessible to everyone. I hope you take a look!

https://www.washingtonanxietycenter.com/life-prep-program.html

Thank you for the support and even reading this!

Dr. Kaplan

Director and Founder of the Washington Anxiety Center of Capitol Hill

New offer from WACCH! Neuropsychology testing appointments (ADHD and Autism included) immediately available

Posted on by mykidsmentalhealth

What is Neuropsychological Testing?

A series of cognitive tests (some administered on paper and some computer) that examine cognitive functioning (memory, executive functioning, processing speed, intellectual functioning, and behavioral/emotional functioning).

All testing in our practice is completed exclusively by our doctoral-level, licensed psychologists. Neuropsychologists require an extra, 2-year post-doctoral training beyond their 1-year residency and 4-6 years of doctoral work.

Clinical Concerns addressed with Neuropsychological Testing:

  • ADHD (Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Inattentive Type, or Combined Type) 
  • Learning disability testing (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, visual processing difficulties, auditory/phonological processing difficulties).
  • Autistic spectrum testing (ASD)
  • ADHD testing
  • Evaluation of gifted individuals with learning difficulties (twice exceptional or ‘2e’)
  • Intellectual Disability Testing (Including therapy available as well)
  • Medical conditions (e.g., genetic/chromosomal disorders, pediatric stroke, birthing injuries, etc.)
  • Testing for anxiety and depression or mood regulation disorders
  • Post-concussion and post Traumatic Brain Injury

What does the Neuropsychological Testing Process Involve?

  1. A Clinical Interview with our patient (and caregiver) (1-2 hours)
  2. Testing with our patient (2-5 hours)
  3. Analysis of Data from testing and Report Writing by the Neuropsychologist (7-10 hours on their own)
  4. Review of written report and recommendations/accommodations with the patient and caregiver (1-2 hours)

Most importantly, psychological testing data are used to create an evidence-based action plan and recommendations. We will work with you and your school to best ensure our recommendations can be accommodated (sometimes in the form of a 504, IEP, or equivalent formal documentation). 

Call us/email today to book an appointment! We have no waitlist!

(202) 768-6494 or email at admin@washingtonanxietycenter.com

WACCH is adding 1x yearly mental health wellness exams! Book your appointment today!

Posted on by mykidsmentalhealth

WACCH is offering yearly, one time appointment, wellness checks!!!!!

The Washington Anxiety Center of Capitol Hill and of Old Town, Alexandria will now be offering wellness checks. These appointments are 90-minutes in length and will be with a licensed clinical psychologist of at LEAST 10 years clinical experience. It takes a long time and years worth of clinical work to be considered an anxiety and depression expert, which ALL of our psychologists meet. It is important to remember as a consumer and client, that NOT all mental health providers are at this expert level. 

What is a WELLNESS EXAM?

Very similar to an adult or a child/teens’ yearly physical! When you go in for your physical, your medical doctor will examine your bloodwork, your heart rate, your blood pressure….but how many of them even check the status of your mental health? Unfortunately, the research says that only around 5% of Primary Care Clinicians and Pediatricians also examine your mental health during your yearly physical exams.

Our brains are the only part of our body that cannot be replaced, so why are we NOT spending more time focusing on our mental health??

During your wellness exam at WACCH, we will examine your past and current history of your mental health AND provide you with recommendations (whether to begin treatment OR ways to maintain your current good mental health status).

How often do adults or children/teens need a mental health wellness check?

We recommended one wellness check-up every 2-5 years.

However, if you have experienced a recent loss, uptick in your anxiety, or you are noticing something feels generally “off,” it is good to get a yearly wellness check.

Also, if you have had a history of anxiety and depression, it is highly recommend to get a yearly wellness and maintenance appointment.

What will I get from my appointment?

You will have a better and thorough understanding of your mental health needs and status. You can also request a copy of the psychological written evaluation at the termination of the appointment.

What happens if I need to be seen regularly by a psychologist?

We will do our best to have the psychologist who evaluated you for the wellness exam be your continuing treatment provider. However, if they are unable due to scheduling reasons, you will be assigned a psychologist at our center as soon as possible. 

Email us at admin@washingtonanxietycenter.com or call at (202) 768-6494 if you are interested!

Tips and tricks to getting an appointment with a psychologist in a timely manner!

Posted on by mykidsmentalhealth

As the holidays come closer, we have been receiving feedback from new patients who are concerned about being on our waitlist for a period of time (or any waitlist for that matter).

We found ourselves repeating the same recommendations and realized this information would be helpful for anyone looking to get an appointment for therapeutic treatment.

Here are some tips and tricks from our Director, Dr. Johanna Kaplan. 

  1. Do not wait to call a practice until the concern you are looking to get treated becomes immediate or too serious. The moment you notice something may be off, call and get on a waitlist. Outpatient treatment cannot serve as an emergency room and as much as we would like to help, psychologist’s schedules cannot usually accommodate last minute requests. 
  2. It is not uncommon for specialty practices (like the Washington Anxiety Center) to have a Waitlist. By the time people seek out our services, they have likely been receiving more generalist treatment that has not been effective.
  3. Do your research! We really like abct.org or adaa.org. The sites are less complicated to understand than PubMed, but are more reliable and accurate in their information and recommendations than your typical online googled resource.
  4. Be flexible! If you need an appointment for you (adult) or a child and can only make a certain time and day during the week, expect the wait to be longer. Psychologists see patients on an ongoing basis, some from 3 months to a few years. You will be waiting for someone to give up a coveted spot before you are offered one. However, if you are flexible, you likely can get in with our practice (or likely any) within 2-3 weeks. 
  5. If you receive a preferred weekly appointment (time and day of your choice), consider that it is worth its weight in diamonds! Some of our patients opt to continue paying for a weekly slot when they are gone on extended vacations. In my opinion, this is worth it if it is a preferred slot (e.g., after school). Unfortunately, psychologists cannot keep your appointment waiting for you for longer than 2-3 weeks. There are a lot of individuals in our community really needing services and we do our best to address them as well.
  6. The problem of missing school! As parent looking for services for their child you need to think what is more important…their anxiety and depression or piano lessons. It may sound like a simple decision, but it is not and we completely understand that it is difficult. Remember that temporarily stopping even loved activities, also including mandatory classes during the school day, is worth being able to feel better and get the skills to maintain feeling better. We recommend anyone under the age of 14 (usually 8th grade and lower) is ok academically to miss a class every week to attend treatment. Treatment can also be flexible so your child isn’t missing the same class every week. We highly recommend this approach!!!! 

**Also….. when children attend a session during the day and return to school, it not only alleviates stress related to having to attend another activity after school, but it also gives them opportunities to practice the skills they just learned and not have to wait till the following school day.

7. Consider teletherapy as well as in person. The research and our own experience has shown that both methods of delivery are equally effective. We can personally attest…..THEY ARE!

Have a wonderful holiday season and remember to reach out to us as soon as you can once you notice an issue!

Dr. Kaplan and Staff at Washington Anxiety Center of Capitol Hill