Let’s Get Started!
New Client Process for Farm-Based Therapy
If you have access to this page, it means we have already spoken on the phone and determined we will be a good fit for each other. Yay! Now, all you need to do is 1) fill out the paperwork below and 2) schedule an appointment. This page contains a lot of information, but all of it is important! I have worked hard to make this process as easy as possible, so if you have any trouble, just let me know and I am happy to help!
Model of Care
Farm-Based Therapy & Therapeutic Care Farming
I am so excited to be able to offer clinical services in a farm setting among animals and nature! This environment is a lot of fun, but it also naturally poses risks because it takes place in a non-traditional therapy setting. Please read the entirety of this page and fill out all appropriate paperwork to ensure this service is appropriate for your child. Farm-based therapy is clinical. While petting animals and spending time on the farm is fun, children will still be working on relevant clinical and developmental goals to aid in their emotional wellbeing. I will incorporate a variety of approaches into our work with the animals, including Developmental Play Therapy (DIR/Floortime), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (T-FCBT), as well as Child-Centered Play Therapy. Animal-Assisted Therapy is a great way to effectively incorporate and teach children skills and emotional regulation.
Paperwork
Below is the paperwork I request from all clients. Please fill this out as soon as possible so I have enough time to review it before your appointment. All paperwork is submitted through my HIPAA protected platform. Ethically and legally, I cannot meet with you or your child until this paperwork is completed.
For families of divorce: unless there are extenuating circumstances, both parents need to fill out an intake form for each child, as well as an informed consent form for each child.
Farm-Based Therapy Forms:
Farm-Based Therapy Screener: https://forms.gle/sMw128fYB7QjfkFa9
Child Intake Form: https://forms.gle/Us8oLzk1m8NFuinN6
Farm-Based Therapy Informed Consent Form: https://forms.gle/We5fxBFR4PH9Zq6s7
Notice of HIPAA Privacy Practices: https://forms.gle/i3rqsBSUZLBStd586
Release of Information
If there is any relevant party you would like to give me permission to speak to regarding yours or your child’s care, please fill out my ROI form below. My ROI form is brief and gives you the option to add three contacts. If you only need to add one, just skip through the remaining pages on the form and submit.
ROI Form: https://forms.gle/ZAWj9VoeBULX1QAg9
Parent Updates
For ongoing updates, I ask that you please fill out the following brief form. This is an easy way for me to stay informed in between our sessions. This is not a requirement, but most parents enjoy the opportunity to share detailed information with me in between visits.
Parent Update Form: https://forms.gle/oHmaSYRzGpcRLhD99
When it comes to me providing you with updates, I will maintain contact with you on a regular basis, either in person, over the phone, or by email. Typically, these updates are shared in person at the end of every visit. However, sometimes phone calls or emails are preferred due to special circumstances. We can talk about this and find a good groove that meets your needs for communication and support. For phone updates, please use my phone calendar to schedule a 10-15 minute phone call.
Schedule a phone call with me: https://playtimetherapy.org/schedule-a-parent-phone-call/
Sometimes, parents need more time to discuss treatment, a plan of care, screening results, and referrals for care such as medication, OT, speech therapy, and more. This is where formal parent consultations are necessary. These must be scheduled via my appointment calendar below and are priced as 30 minute or 50 minute sessions, respectively, depending on what you choose.
Fees & Payment
Farm-Based Therapy Fees
As I tease out the process of farm-based therapy (this is something I am having to create a model for because there aren’t any other local practices who offer it), I’m offering a reduced rate for the first families that are interested in it. This is because I am grateful that families are interested in this service for their children and also to give me some grace as I create a dedicated rhythm for these appointments.
My fees for farm-based therapy are $75 for each 30 minute appointment $125 for each 50 minute appointment. I do not accept insurance, but I do accept HSA and FSA cards.
Payment
For payment processing, I use a company called Ivy Pay. This is a HIPAA compliant platform for payment. This platform communicates via text message. Your information is securely stored in an encrypted system; I do not physically have access to your card information. Once you schedule your first appointment, you will receive a text message from Ivy Pay requesting your card information to pay for your first session. All first appointments must be paid for 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time. If payment is not received, your appointment will be released to another family. Once you put a card on file, I will run it the day of your session. Payments are typically processed by noon of each day.
Scheduling
I allow self-scheduling to make it easier for families to schedule appointments without waiting on me to confirm my availability. Below is a link to my calendar. To schedule an appointment, click on the date you’d like and it will display all of my available appointments for that day. It allows you to book a minimum of 48 hours ahead of time and as far in advance as you’d like.
For all available appointments for farm-based therapy, click my calendar link here: https://playtimetherapy.org/schedule-an-appointment/
Once you reserve your appointment, it will send you a reminder email 72 hours and 2 hours prior to your appointment.
Cancellation Policy
All appointments must be cancelled or rescheduled a minimum of 48 hours prior to your appointment. If you do not cancel or reschedule your appointment at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment time, you will be charged a fee as outlined in the Informed Consent forms above. I set aside a portion of time just for you for your appointment. Failing to honor this impedes my ability to function optimally and help other families like yours. Please be mindful of the commitment of my time that I am making for you and return the consideration by doing the same. Thank you so much for understanding!
Now...the fun part!
Let’s go over some basics:
Your child should wear farm-safe shoes: rubber boots, tennis shoes, or crocs. Open-toed shoes will prevent your child from interacting with the animals.
Be prepared to get a little dirty! Being outside means we will be walking through grass and be touching animals. I always do my best to keep everyone clean, but animals are animals.
Your child will be allowed to actively touch, pet, groom, feed, and interact with specific animals. They will learn about appropriate animal husbandry. There may be some days where specific animals are not available. This will depend on the animal’s capacity to work that day. Animals have feelings and limitations just like humans!
Location
The address is 777 Bishop Drive, Canton, Georgia, 30115.
The location of the farm is the therapist's private residence. Parents must wait in their car, in the designated parking spot, for the duration of their child's appointment. For safety and liability reasons, they cannot leave their vehicle and roam the property. Siblings are not welcome to meet the animals or explore the property. This is for the safety and wellbeing of all visitors on the property. Also, I ask that clients do not publicly disclose the location of the property. Again, this is for the safety and wellbeing of clients and also for the safety and wellbeing of the therapist. Because it is a private residence, restrooms are not available. This is a standard policy for businesses that operate out of a private residence. Your child is welcome to use the restroom prior to their appointment at one of the many public businesses located close to the property.
As you approach the property, you are welcome to pull into the driveway. At the base of the driveway, there is a designated parking spot. Please park here.
Please do not arrive more than five minutes early for your appointment. Because this is a private residence, there is limited parking availability and I cannot accommodate multiple cars waiting for their appointments. Once you arrive, please wait in your car until I come and get your child. Once I retrieve them, our appointment will begin. When our appointment ends, I will return them to your car.
I am looking forward to meeting you!
Warmly,
Ashley