frequently asked questions

What does the free 20-minute consultation look like?

This time is for you to be able to discuss what you are seeking therapy for and for us to ask each other questions to determine if it feels like a good fit for moving forward. I understand that therapy out of pocket is a financial commitment and I want to insure before you begin to invest in this process that you feel confident that I understand what you are looking for and that based off my expertise and experience will be a good fit for you to reach your goals.

Yes, I offer teletherapy in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland. I also offer teletherapy in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, Wyoming.

Before your first session I send you paperwork to fill out that asks you more questions about your needs and outlines practice policies of mine. In the first session I go over those practice polices and see if you have any questions. After that, we dive into information gathering where I will ask you detailed questions about your life, history, important people in your life, what your needs for therapy are and how what’s brining you in is impacting your daily life. All these questions are pertinent to help me get to know you better, your support system, and what is impacting you daily to best be able to support you moving forward.

 

When working with children and adolescents I operate the same and use this first session to gather as much information as I can. I also like to focus on what the teen likes to do for fun and what’s important to them to begin to build good rapport with them for moving forward.

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, it will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.

As much as I would love to be able to say that therapy only takes a designated number of sessions that just wouldn’t be true. Every person and what they are wanting to work on in therapy is different/unique. Due to that, the amount of time it takes to move through therapy is different and that time varies from person to person based off of each unique situation and how much effort each person puts into the therapy process.

Snead Psychological Services is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance companies directlyChoosing private pay allows us to provide you with personalized and evidence-based care without restrictions that insurance companies may place on treatment. 

We provide therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual’s age, developmental stage, and unique mental health concerns. Our goal is to create a safe space to help individuals express their feelings and receive the appropriate care. 

Our office is located in Arlington and offers complimentary on-site parking for clients attending in-person appointments. If on-site visiting seems inconvenient, we also provide virtual therapy in Arlington, VA, allowing you to access personalized care through secure online sessions.

Our specialist, Dr. Alex Snead, prepares the treatment schedule as per your medical concerns. Most clients begin with weekly sessions to build consistency and make steady progress. As treatment continues, the frequency may change based on your goals, progress, and individual needs. 

Yes, at Snead Psychological Services, we give high priority to maintaining the patient’s privacy during and after the therapeutic process. You can rest assured that whatever you share during therapy is kept confidential in accordance with professional ethics and applicable laws. 

Yes, our clinical expert, Dr. Alex Snead, specializes in treating concerns like anxiety, OCD, ADHD, depression, insomnia, tic disorders, hair pulling, and skin picking disorders. We offer personalized individual counseling in Arlington, VA, backed by evidence-based approaches.

You can contact Snead Psychological Services by phone or through the website to request an initial consultation. During this first conversation, we’ll discuss your concerns and answer your queries. Based on the assessment, we will schedule your first therapy session. 

At Snead Psychological Services, the ongoing therapy is a collaborative process focused on helping you achieve your mental health goals. As treatment progresses, you’ll work with our psychologist to build practical coping skills, gain insight into your behaviors, and address challenges in a supportive environment. 

No, you do not need a formal mental health diagnosis to begin therapy. You can seek support if you are feeling overwhelmed or experiencing emotional or behavioral changes. Dr. Snead will understand your concerns, goals, and personal experiences and offer the right treatment approach. 

Yes, some treatments require parent involvement for overall wellness. For younger children, parents often play an active role in the therapeutic process. For teenagers, therapy may include more individual time while still maintaining appropriate communication with parents. We also provide parenting therapy in Arlington, VA, to help parents strengthen communication and better understand their child’s emotional needs.