About My Consultations

Please read thoroughly before scheduling an appointment.

Consultations are for parents/caregivers only and are exclusively via my secure telehealth platform. (Currently, I am only accepting families with children 10 years and younger.) I do not provide direct therapy for children. I exclusively work with parents. In order to understand the child and provide meaningful guidance, I do observations of children—at home and school ( in-person or remotely). I also talk with all the important adults in the child’s life, including teachers and other caregivers, which adds to my understanding about the child—what makes them tick—and how they function in real-world settings.

Process:

We always start with an initial, 50-minute consult so I can get a full download on the situation for which you are seeking help. In this first session, I will give you feedback on my insights based on the information you have shared about your child (and any audio/video, evaluations, you provide) and a roadmap for solving the challenges you are dealing with. There is also often time for us to work through a few in-the-weeds situations you are dealing with so you leave with a set of strategies tailored to your unique situation. (I can’t stress strongly enough how helpful it is when families send audio or video in advance. This enables me to provide more targeted feedback from the start.)

After this first consult, families decide if they want to continue to meet, in which case purchasing a package makes the most sense (see details on packages below), or whether you want to pay for each individual session if/when you schedule another consult.

To schedule a consult: Please carefully read and follow all the instructions below

Go to my secure telehealth platform.

• Choose “I'm a New Client.”

• You will then use the Booking Widget to request an appointment. (Note that all consult times are EST)

• When you set up the account, please make it under your child’s name and make yourself the contact. This ensures you will receive all the forms/appt reminders, etc.

• Be sure to opt in for appointment and document reminders after you key in your contact info.

• In addition to the digital forms, please be sure to complete the two pdf uploads: the Child Questionnaire and Lerner Child Development Consent Form (different from the telehealth consent form). They need to be completed before your appointment so I have time to review them before we meet. Even if you get a message that you have completed all the forms in the portal, that may not pertain to these two docs that are unique to my practice.

Because I get booked up quickly, at the time you make your initial consult, you may want to secure a few more consults about 2-3 weeks apart. You can always cancel them outside 48 hours if you decide not to get a package. Most families find meeting every 3 weeks or so to be most useful.

I occasionally get cancellations or add new consult times. I recommend you check out the calendar as regularly as you like to see if there are any openings for earlier slots. (I cannot notify individual families every time a consult becomes available.)

It’s very helpful to me if you could capture some video/audio and email (clerner92762@gmail.com) or text (301-452-1886) it to me one day before the initial consult. It doesn't have to be just during challenging moments. I want to get as holistic a picture as possible of your child and your interactions with him/her. If video is uncomfortable because your child is aware of it and distracted or self-conscious, just use audio. Please keep clips under 5 minutes.

Strict Cancellation Policy: I have a strict 48-hour cancellation policy as I have a long wait list and need time to give other families a chance to use the time you are giving up. The full fee is charged if you cancel in under 48 hours. If you have a package, the missed consult is deducted. 

Fees:

• Consultation (50-Minutes): $290. (I offer packages that bundle consults for a discount. See details on packages below.)

• HOME AND SCHOOL OBSERVATIONS:

• In-person: $400/hour

• Remote: $300/hour

• Note: These are NOT scheduled via the calendar on the portal. I arrange these directly with families in schools.

• I now primarily do the observations remotely via Zoom or FaceTime. This allows me to get a more accurate view of your child as my presence often changes their behavior and the overall dynamic. I am also able to schedule remote observations more easily/quickly and at off-hours.

Packages:

• 3-consult package: $826 (5% discount)

• 4-consult package: $1,044 (10% discount)

• 5-consult package: $1378 (15% discount)

You can add a home and/or school observation to your package. The visit will be discounted at the same rate as your package. Please see info on home and school observations to learn more about those services. 

Important information about packages:

• I give families 24 hours after the initial consult to decide if they want a package. If you opt for a package, I include the first consult in the package so you get the benefit of the discount.

• Packages are good for one year and are not refundable.

• 50% is paid after the first consult. The balance is paid when the package has been completed or expired, whichever comes first. If there are remaining consults in the package, clients can use them whenever they like once the final balance is paid.

• I try (but cannot guarantee) to notify families of their remaining consults approximately one month in advance of the package expiration. It is up to the client to keep track of the package and be sure to secure consults on the portal in advance in order to complete the package in time.

Payments:

• Payments are made via Zelle, Venmo, or personal check. You indicate your payment method on the Lerner Child Development consent form that is in the portal. Note that I do not use the portal to collect payments or generate invoices. I take care of that separately.

• I do not participate on any insurance panels. I can provide an invoice to submit to your carrier if you have an out-of-plan option, or to use toward a health savings plan.

• Billing/Invoicing: I don’t use the telehealth platform for billing or invoicing. It is only used for scheduling the video consults. All payments are via Venmo, Paypal, or personal check. All invoices are provided directly by me via email.

FOR FAMILIES OUTSIDE THE DC/VA/MD AREA:

I am able to provide consultation but note that it is not reimbursable under health insurance plans. It is often allowable for health savings accounts.

15-Minute Free Intro Call

If you would like a free 15-minute call to discuss my services and be sure it’s a good fit, please fill out the contact form below.