FAQs

You can call our front desk at (407) 644-4692 and speak with one of our receptionists. You may also send an email to frontdesk@lcsfl.com to begin the process. When you call, be prepared to provide your name, a basic overview as to why you are seeking counseling, an ideal therapist preference, time of day you'd like to be seen, if you'd prefer in person or virtual sessions, and insurance information (if applicable).

Para programar una cita con un terapeuta de habla hispana, llame al (407) 644-4692 Ext 2.

Once you have your initial contact with our front desk, you will be required to complete all documents in our online Portal. When the documents are complete, you will receive a phone call to set up an appointment.

Your first session with your therapist is a time for the therapist to get to know you and for you to ask questions of the therapist. Your therapist will review your well-being form, ask what has brought you to therapy and what your goals for therapy are.

If you have scheduled an appointment for your child, the therapist will meet first with the parent(s) to gain insight into your child’s needs and issues.

As the parent or guardian of a minor, you will schedule appointments for your child. The therapist will ask to see you prior to meeting with your child, so you can share any concerns or observations freely. The therapist will typically bring your child in while you are present and then spend some time alone with your child at the end of the session.

Yes, we take insurance. Each individual therapist accepts different types of insurance, so it is important to let us know what insurance you will be using, so we can schedule you with a therapist who takes your insurance.

At this time, we do not currently offer financial assistance. If you are in need of assistance, we suggest you review the requirements for FSPT and see if you are elgible to apply.

What is FSPT Funding?
The Family Services Planning Team (FSPT) is a team whose mission is to serve children and adults with mental health needs. The Department of Children and Families allocates funds that are managed by Children's Home Society of Florida. These funds are used to purchase mental health and support services for children and adults that support the treatment goals. Family Services Planning Team may assist in locating and funding mental health services. If multiple services are needed Targeted Case Management services can be provided for the youth, with the consent of the guardian.

Who is Eligible?
*Client resides in Orange, Seminole or Osceola County.
*Client is not in Foster Care or in Dependency.
*Client is experiencing difficulty at home, in the community, or has a mental health diagnosis.
*The family does not have Medicaid, commercial insurance, or resources to pay for services (Families who make more than 150% of the poverty guidelines may have a share of cost for services). If a child has Medicaid or commercial insurance, exceptions can be made for any services that Medicaid or commercial insurance do not cover. These services can be authorized to support the goals of a treatment plan.

What are specific services FSPT may provide?
*Assessment(Bio/Treatment Plan)
*Individual Therapy – Telehealth, Office, or In-Home/School
*Group Therapy
*Certified Behavior Analyst
*Psychiatric Evaluation
*Medication
*Tutoring
*Therapeutic Mentoring/PSR
*Respite

Please reach out to Valerie Westgerdes for application and if you need more information:
Valerie Westgerdes
FSPT Coordinator
Children’s Home Society
5768 S. Semoran Blvd. Orlando, FL 32822
Cell: 407-404-2321| Fax: 1-866-834-7547
Valerie.westgerdes@chsfl.org

We have 12 therapists and registered mental health interns working in our office. Each of our therapists has a unique background and areas of focus. Depending on your preference for a male or female therapist, the reasons you are seeking support and the insurance coverage you have, our office staff will be happy to help you find a therapist that is the best fit for you.

Sliding scale refers to a fee structure that is based on a client’s ability to pay and annual income. If a client is unable to pay the full hourly rate, we will work with them to find a rate that is affordable for them.

Yes, all of your information is kept confidential to the extent that the law allows. We will not speak to anyone about you unless request us to do so and sign a release that allows us to speak to a specific person about you nor will we acknowledge that you are a client at LCS.

We do not have any psychiatrists on our staff, so we do not write any prescriptions for medications.

A session lasts 50 minutes unless you have scheduled a longer period of time with your therapist or your insurance limits your session time. Some insurance plans only cover 45-minute sessions.

A Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern has completed a Master’s Degree and is completing his/her 1,500-hour “residency” in mental health. The State of Florida requires that a counselor intern complete a Master’s degree and 1,500 hours of therapy under the supervision of a certified mental health supervisor before being. Our interns are highly skilled and have hundreds of hours of counseling experience.

You can email your therapist if you have an emergency in between sessions or call our office and leave a message. We will forward your message to your therapist immediately.