As of January 2025,

I am able to take a few new referrals or add to my waiting list.

Hello! For referrals, please note the following:

(Does the child meet all of the *starred* notes below?)

* I see children 3-8 years old primarily for individual, child-centered play therapy. This is a diversity affirming practice.

*I have contracts with the following Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs):

Molina Healthcare Virginia

Sentara

Please be sure Jennifer Thomas, LCSW is listed as a behavioral health provider for your policy. Clients with Medicaid as primary or secondary healthcare coverage are not permitted to "pay out-of-pocket" if I do not have a contract with your MCO; however, your DSS case manager may be able to change your MCO.

*I have contracts with the following private insurances:

Aetna

Anthem

Please be sure Jennifer Thomas, LCSW is listed as a behavioral health provider for your specific policy. This should be searchable on your insurance company's website. You will be responsible for all session charges if the insurance company denies the charges. ($150-160/session.)

*Please note that flexibility with scheduling is limited, especially after school. While I prefer that children not miss school, the only openings may be during the late morning/early afternoon. Children typically attend therapy weekly for at least the first 6 months.

*Because of the intensity of work involved, I have very limited availability to work with children involved in custody or visitation matters due to divorce, foster care or kinship issues. Please note that making custody or visitation recommendations is outside the scope of my practice. My role is to support children going through difficult situations. My play therapy practice is not a forensic approach to a child's treatment. I can help children feel better, although I may not be able to change the issues surrounding them. I require that parents/guardians involved in custody and visitation matters are engaged in their own therapy, and I will coordinate services with those professionals to support the family. Because, in order to be effective, my office needs to be an emotionally and physically safe place for my clients, family therapy work together may or may not be offered at my discretion.

If your child meets the criteria above for age and insurance, and if you are available for weekly sessions and understand the boundaries around custody/visitation, please send an email to me at JenniferThomasLCSW@gmail.com. Please briefly explain a little about your concerns while being aware that email is not private. (No full name, date of birth, etc.) I will acknowledge your email and get back to you as soon as my schedule permits. If needed, I will suggest other therapists with more specialization. Please note that I do all of my administrative work myself, while the focus of my time is with children while in session. Especially with the high demand for services, I will get back to you as soon as I am able. Thank you for your understanding!

If your child does not meet the criteria above, I suggest calling large practices with multiple therapists or doing a therapist/provider search on www.a4pt.org or www.psychologytoday.com.

I know that it has been hard to find child therapists.

Best wishes.

Last updated on January 13, 2025.