FAQ

When you arrive you will park in the small lot at the back of the cul-du-sac or along the side of the road. Please text me when you arrive and I will come outside to meet you and guide you in. If you are early, there is a small park in the back or outdoor seating by the parking lot.

I work with parents with children 4 months to 10 years old.

Yes, I do work with children with separated parents. Both parents must consent to play therapy for their child unless one parent has full medical decision-making custody.  

The parents must decide between themselves who will be the parent designated as the sole financially responsible party to pay in full using their credit card on file. I will only hold a single cc on file.

Both parents will have access to information related to the child’s sessions.

Parents can choose to have joint parent phone calls or individual calls. Individual sessions will be kept confidential as each parent is considered an individual client.

For current availability and fees please schedule a 20-minute introduction call.

For current clients, the best way to reach me is through text message at the following number: 303-579-3841

New prospective clients can make an introduction phone appointment online. For existing clients, you can make an appointment online or you can email info@shuteyecounseling.com.

Towards the end of your 20-minute introduction call, I can assist you in making your first appointment or you can schedule online with this link.

If you are an existing client and want a single consultation, you can schedule one here.

If your child is not feeling well within the 24 hours leading up to our session, please let me know as soon as you are able. If your child is feeling well enough, there is the possibility of doing a virtual session, otherwise, I encourage you to use the time for a parent session. 

Currently, all children are being seen in person, however, parents will be contacted over the phone.  The children and I will be washing our hands before and after each session.

A child’s play therapy session is 45 minutes.

A parenting or sleep consult phone session is 50 minutes, and follow-up sessions are 20 minutes.

Click on this link to schedule a complimentary 20-minute phone call with me.

For current availability and fees please schedule a 20-minute introduction call.

For sleep consultations or parent check-ins, you will pay at the time of scheduling.

For play therapy clients you will be invoiced through our client portal.

I do not accept insurance. We will supply you with the appropriate paperwork to submit to your insurance if needed.

Yes, I do. Please contact me for more information.

I will supply you with the appropriate paperwork to submit to your insurance.

My office is located on the garden level of my home with a separate entrance to the waiting room. I will be the only practitioner working in this space.

You may always cancel if needed. I ask that you follow the same guidelines for sick children as the school system. If you are not bringing your child in because he/she is ill, please let me know as soon as possible.

I ask that if you can and are available, use the time allotted for a phone parent session. I trust that you will not abuse my cancellation policy. 

The first missed appointment will not result in any fee, however, all following missed appointments will result in a $30 charge unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled appointment. The time is reserved for you and cannot be used for other purposes unless sufficient notice is provided. If you do not reschedule for a session later in the week you will be charged $30. If you are late for an appointment, I will do my best to accommodate for a full session; however, I may need to end the session at the scheduled time, and you will still be charged for the full session.

Your first free initial phone conversation is 20 minutes long. This phone call will provide an overview of our services that reflect the needs of you and your family.

I consider my practice to be LGBTQIA-inclusive, welcoming, and affirming. I ask that you hold me accountable for my intentions and let me know how I could do better through feedback.

I think there is a time and place for the Extinction Method of sleep training. However, I strongly recommend that parents stay in contact with their children when sleep training.

I do not have a No Tears method. I believe tears are a part of emotional expression along the spectrum of emotion. I encourage parents to discover the ways in which we can still be in relationship and bond even when one or both of us are crying. 

Love and attachment are deep and profound experiences that cannot be shattered or developed in one moment. It is a series of moments and connections that build attachment. 

I do not provide written sleep plans. I found that parents are more successful when they take their own notes during our conversations, highlighting what is helpful for them.

Every family has a different definition of success. It is my intention to support the family until they have achieved their goals, or they at least have built the confidence to make decisions moving forward that support their goals.

Yes.

Yes.

Working with multiples is tricky. Usually, I would usually recommend finding someone in your area that specializes in working with multiples. If you are unaware of someone in your area I highly recommend Keirsten Hanson whose practice can be found here.

Yes, believe it or not, I love working with toddlers. If you live in the area, I’d be happy to see you and your child in my playroom. If you live far away, even overseas, I can support you as you navigate the terrible twos and terrorizing threes into terrific twos and threes.  

Play Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play as a way for children (or adults) to communicate their feelings. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/contemporary-psychoanalysis-in-action/201601/child-s-play-how-play-therapy-works

I encourage parents to come in for an initial session without their child to familiarize themselves with the space. This will allow us some time to connect without being distracted, learn more about one another and your needs, and go into more detail about the process of play therapy.

If your child wants you in the room, you are welcome to come back. I will ask you to fully participate in the process until they tell you it’s ok to leave. Don’t worry, I will coach you along the way.

Play therapy is your child’s opportunity to fully express themselves in whatever way they need to in order to feel at their best.

You can offer something like, “You are going to have your own playtime to do whatever you want to do to feel great.” Most children don’t need much more introduction than this.

If there is still trepidation, it is important that you validate their feelings in a calm manner. I get that you are nervous to go to a new spot and meet someone new. It’s important for you to have your own special time, so we are going to go and check it out.

Your child’s participation is a gift, not a punishment. If your child perceives this experience as punishment for their behavior or if they feel that they are responsible for your “fixing” any current issues, they will most likely be resistant to the process; and it will take longer for them to develop trust with me.

They can call me Jessica, Miss Jessica, or Mrs. Schaffer, whichever. The way that you encourage your child to address adults is how they can address me, too. In therapy, a child may call me anything they like.

If you are out of town, I prefer phone sessions with my clients. My rate is the same if you were to come and see me in person or talk over the phone. I have more availability for phone conversations than in-person sessions.

I currently do not have group services.

Yes. 

I began my practice when pregnant with my second child.

Yes, I’ve seen therapists since my mother’s early passing in 2004. They were and continue to be very supportive people in my life.

I also had my own children in Play Therapy and Occupational Therapy, and continue to utilize professional advice along the rocky road of parenting.

You can schedule a 20-minute introduction call on my website or click the button below. If you need to reach me sooner, you can text me directly.

Book 20-Minute Call

I do not; however, I will refer you to Pediatric Psychiatrist Amanda Ferrel at admin@wellnesspsychiatryco.com.

I am a registered psychotherapist, a certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and a certified sleep consultant. I am not licensed in any state except Colorado.

You can always ask. 

Pinterest, Amazon Prime, Chess with Friends, and Audible are my favorite apps.

Cats! Here is a fun fact. Before I became a counselor, I was actually a dog trainer.