in step logo home of stepping stones

A comprehensive, mental health practice in Northern Virginia specializing in Social Skills Group Therapy, as well as Individual, Couples, Family Counseling, and Psycho-Educational testing services.

FAQs

How do I know if my child really needs social skills training, or is just going through a phase?

It is true that children do go through a variety of phases! Take a look at the questions below, and see if these apply to your child:

Has your child's school contacted you regarding his or her behavior in the classroom? Are these behaviors interfering with your child's learning?

Does your child have any friends, and if so, is s/he able to maintain friendships?

Does your child always find excuses to avoid social activities or school?

Is your child seemingly unaware of social cues from others, or reacts inappropriately to these cues?

Has you child been diagnosed (or do you suspect) with ADD/ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, or high functioning autism?

Is your child the frequent subject of others' bullying behavior? Or is your child overtly aggressive with others?

If you answered "yes" to even one of the above questions, we ask you to consider coming in for an initial evaluation.

Why doesn't In Step take insurance?

When In Step was founded more than ten years ago, we made a promise to ourselves. We not only wanted to offer comprehensive mental health services, but we also wanted to ensure our clients receive personal attention. We have a team of mental health clinicians that work with you every step of the process.

If we were to become an insurance provider, we would have to compromise our level of care in order to financially sustain ourselves. We know therapy is a significant commitment - both emotionally and financially - but we have seen families transformed through our programs. And that is priceless.

We have found that most insurance companies have a mental health benefit. Check with your insurance carriers to see what services are covered. Our services are provided by licensed clinicians and meet the criteria established by insurance companies. Most of our clients are reimbursed for part of their costs under their out-of-network mental health benefits. If your insurance company does not cover mental health benefits, we would be happy to discuss payment alternatives with you.

Why is your Stepping Stones program so long? Other therapy centers offer social skills training for just 6 weeks.

Again, we realize this is a commitment. Through the years we have found that in order to create genuine, systemic change, it takes months to learn and sustain these skills. We believe anything less is a "band-aid effect," meaning the problems are temporarily treated, but the source of pain and struggle still exists underneath. Through our programs, children and parents learn cognitive behavioral methods, proven through years of research, to create long lasting, positive, behavioral changes.

How do I get started?

Call our office at 703.876.8480, ext 31, and speak with our Community Outreach Liaison, Caren Appel. She will take a brief history over the phone and then place you with a therapist whom specializes in the issue you or your child is struggling with at present.

Directions to our Fairfax and Sterling, Virginia offices....

Our Fairfax office is conveniently located just outside the Capital Beltway (I-495) near Fairfax Hospital. From the Beltway take exit 50 ("Route 50/Arlington Boulevard West) for about a quarter mile to the first light. At the light, go right onto Williams Drive. Take the first right onto Professional Hill Drive. Our townhouse office is located on the right. There is plenty of free parking, and we are handicap accessible.

Our Sterling office is conveniently located off of Route 7 across from Dulles Town Center. From Route 7, turn onto Countryside Boulevard and immediately make the first right turn onto Pidgeon Hill Drive, then at the second opportunity make another right (also Pidgeon Hill Drive). We are the building straight ahead of you, number 6, suite 200.