FAQs & Billing
Getting Started
How do I know if Balanced Minds is the right fit for me or my child?
Balanced Minds specializes in neuropsychological evaluation and therapy for children, adolescents, and adults with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. If you are seeking answers about ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, cognitive decline, or related conditions, or if you are looking for therapy that is grounded in an understanding of how the brain works, you are likely in the right place. If you are not sure, reach out and we will help you figure it out.
How do I get started?
You can reach us by phone or through the contact form on our website. Once we hear from you, a member of our team will be in touch to answer your questions and discuss scheduling.
What should I expect after I reach out?
After you contact us, you will receive a call from our office for a brief conversation to answer your questions, learn more about your needs, and discuss next steps. We want to make sure we are the right fit before you commit to anything.
How long is the wait to be seen?
Wait times vary depending on the type of service and the age of the patient. We will give you our best estimate when you contact us. If we are not able to schedule you immediately, we will add you to our waitlist and reach out as soon as an opening becomes available.
What ages do you work with?
We work with children from preschool age through adulthood. Our pediatric services include neuropsychological evaluation and therapy for children, adolescents, and teenagers. Our adult services include evaluation and therapy across the lifespan.
Do you offer in-person and telehealth services?
For most evaluations, the clinical interview and testing are conducted in person at our Bellevue office. Feedback appointments can often be accommodated via telehealth if that is your preference. Therapy is available both in person and via telehealth.
Pediatric Assessment
I am not sure whether my child needs an evaluation, therapy, or both. Can you help me figure that out?
Many families come to us with exactly that question. Sometimes the right starting point is an evaluation, which can provide a clear picture of what is going on and inform what kind of support would be most helpful. Other times, therapy is the more immediate need. And for some families, the two work together. Our intake process is designed to help you think through your options, and we are happy to talk through your concerns and help you find the right path forward.
What conditions do you assess for in children and adolescents?
We assess for a broad range of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions affecting learning, attention, memory, language, and emotional functioning. We have particular expertise working with twice-exceptional children and complex profiles where more than one condition may be present.
What should my child and I expect during the evaluation process, and how long does it take?
The evaluation process typically unfolds over four to six weeks from initial interview to feedback and report. This allows time for completion of surveys and questionnaires, informant interviews with teachers or other professionals, and careful analysis of all the data collected. The written report is provided at the time of the feedback appointment.
For younger children, we conduct a separate parent interview first, followed by two testing sessions with your child usually totaling between four to six hours. For older children, testing is typically completed in a single full day appointment. For teenagers, we often conduct the interview with the teen and their parent and complete testing all on the same day during a full day appointment.
Will I be involved in the assessment process?
Yes, parent involvement is an important part of how we work. For our youngest patients, we typically meet with parents alone for the initial interview so you can focus on our questions without managing your child at the same time. Your child is then interviewed on their testing day. For older children and teenagers, we typically begin with a joint interview and then split up according to need. During testing appointments, we ask that parents remain at the clinic in case their child needs them, though parents are not typically involved in the direct testing itself.
How should I prepare my child for their evaluation?
The most important thing is to make sure your child is well rested and has eaten before their appointment. You can let them know they will be doing some activities and answering some questions, and that some things may seem easy, some might be hard, but the most important thing is that they try their best. We work hard to make the testing experience feel approachable and low-stress for every child, and our psychologists are experienced at putting children at ease.
How do I use the report to get accommodations at school?
Every pediatric evaluation report includes a set of recommendations written specifically for your child's educators, which can be used to support the school team in designing appropriate accommodations. We also provide guidance to families on the accommodations process at the feedback appointment or during therapy. If you have questions about how to advocate for your child at school, we are here to help.
Do you conduct Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)?
Yes. Dr. Swanson conducts Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) for children and adolescents. If you are seeking an IEE, you may request Dr. Swanson as your evaluator, and your school district can reach out to our office directly to initiate the process.
Do you offer IQ testing as a standalone service for school admissions?
Occasionally, when we have scheduling availability, we are able to see children for standalone IQ testing for school admissions purposes. Contact us to find out whether this is currently available.
Do you conduct child custody evaluations?
No. Child custody evaluation is not a service we provide. If you are looking for a custody evaluator, we recommend contacting your attorney for referral to an appropriate provider.
Adult Assessment
What conditions do you assess for in adults?
We assess for a broad range of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions in adults, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment. We have particular expertise working with complex profiles where more than one condition may be present, including many adults who have spent years wondering why certain things feel harder for them than they seem to for others.
What should I expect during the evaluation process, and how long does it take?
Adult evaluations are typically completed over two appointments. The first is a full day appointment that includes both the clinical interview and testing. A few weeks later, you will return for a feedback appointment, at which point you will also receive your written report. The time between appointments allows for careful analysis of all the data collected, as well as completion of any surveys, questionnaires, or informant interviews that are part of your evaluation.
Will my family be involved in the assessment process?
This is usually up to you. Having information from someone who knows you well, such as a spouse or adult child, can often provide useful information and is sometimes necessary to build a full picture of your current functioning. If you have someone in mind, we invite you to bring them to your interview. If you prefer to keep the process private, that can often be accommodated.
I have already been diagnosed. Can an evaluation still help me?
Yes. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation can provide value even if you already have a diagnosis. It can confirm or clarify an existing diagnosis, identify co-occurring conditions that may not have been recognized, provide a more detailed understanding of how your profile affects your daily functioning, and generate specific, actionable recommendations for treatment and support. Many adults come to us after receiving a diagnosis elsewhere and finding that they still have more questions than answers.
How do I use the report to get accommodations at work or school?
Your written report documents your diagnosis and provides specific recommendations that can be used to support requests for workplace or academic accommodations. We provide guidance on this process at your feedback appointment. If you have questions about how to use your report to advocate for yourself, we are here to help.
Do you assess for dementia and cognitive decline?
Yes. We provide comprehensive neuropsychological assessment for dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and other conditions affecting cognition in older adults. Our evaluations assess memory, attention, executive functioning, language, processing speed, and other cognitive domains, and can help differentiate between dementia and other conditions that can affect cognition, such as depression, anxiety, or medication effects. We work closely with families and care teams throughout the process.
Do you conduct forensic or legal evaluations?
Generally, forensic and legal evaluation is not a service we provide. If you are seeking this type of evaluation, we recommend contacting your attorney for a referral to a provider who specializes in forensic assessment.
Therapy
What kinds of issues do you treat in therapy?
Our therapists specialize in supporting children, adolescents, and adults who are navigating the emotional and practical demands of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. This includes ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment and other conditions affecting daily functioning. We also work with individuals who are dealing with anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, and the challenges of significant life transitions. For children and adolescents, we have particular expertise working with twice-exceptional individuals whose unique profiles require a nuanced, strengths-based approach.
Do you offer therapy for both children and adults?
Yes. We provide individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. For pediatric patients, we take a family-centered approach that actively involves parents in the therapeutic process.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
Our therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to the individual. We draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-based approaches. We do not apply a single framework to every patient. We take the time to understand who you are, what you are carrying, and what kind of support will actually help you thrive.
Do you offer parent consultation as part of therapy or as a standalone service
Both. For families whose children are receiving therapy at Balanced Minds, parent consultation is an integral part of the therapeutic process. We work closely with parents to build a practical understanding of their child's unique profile, what works for them and why, and how to translate that understanding into effective day-to-day strategies. Parent consultation is also available as a standalone service for families who are not currently engaged in therapy but are seeking guidance on supporting their child at home, at school, or in other settings.
Do you offer therapy via telehealth?
Yes. Therapy is available both in person at our Bellevue office and via telehealth, depending on your preference and clinical need.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. As psychologists and therapists, we do not prescribe medication. If medication is something you or your child's treatment team is considering, we are happy to collaborate with your prescribing provider or provide a referral if needed.
Fees & Insurance
Do you accept insurance?
We are in-network providers with Premera Blue Cross. Some of our providers are also Medicare providers. For all other insurance plans, we are out-of-network providers. Many insurance plans include out-of-network benefits that can offset the cost of services significantly. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider before your first appointment to ask about your out-of-network coverage, as you may be able to submit a superbill for partial reimbursement.
What are your fees?
For out-of-network patients, neuropsychological evaluations are billed at a flat rate of $3500, which includes the clinical interview, testing, feedback appointment, and written report. Out-of-network therapy is billed at $210 per hour. If you are insured with Premera or Medicare, your costs will be determined by your plan's benefits. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to understand your coverage.
Do you provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement?
Yes. We provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary depending on your plan, and we recommend contacting your insurance provider to understand your out-of-network benefits before beginning services.
Can I use my HSA funds to pay for services?
Yes. HSA funds may be used to pay for services at Balanced Minds.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards and HSA funds. Payment is due at the time of service. Patients may also apply for the Advance Care Card, a medical credit card that often offers up to 15 months interest-free financing. You can learn more at advancecarecard.com. Please note that Balanced Minds has no financial relationship with this company.
For Other Professionals
How do I refer a patient to Balanced Minds?
Referrals can be faxed to our office. For evaluation referrals, please include the patient's name and contact information, a brief summary of their current symptoms and relevant history, and the primary diagnostic questions you are hoping the evaluation can address. For therapy referrals, patient name and contact information along with a brief summary of your concerns is sufficient. Once we receive your referral, our team will reach out to the patient directly to initiate the intake process.
Can I collaborate with you on a shared patient?
Yes. We value close collaboration with our patients' other providers and believe that coordinated care leads to better outcomes. If you have a shared patient and would like to connect, please call our office to schedule a conversation.
I am a mental health or healthcare professional and would like to learn more about your practice and services. Can we connect?
We would enjoy that. Whether you are looking to establish a referral relationship, learn more about what we do, or simply introduce yourself, we welcome the opportunity to connect with colleagues in the community. Please call our office to get in touch.
I am a psychology graduate student interested in training opportunities. Does Balanced Minds offer practicum or fellowship placements?
We value teaching and the training of the next generation of psychologists. We have trained advanced practicum students and postdoctoral fellows. For practicum placements, we look for students who have already completed at least one assessment practicum and are competent in basic intellectual assessment. If you are interested in a training or fellowship opportunity with our practice, please contact our office directly to discuss.
I am interested in employment opportunities at Balanced Minds. Who should I contact?
We do not have any formal open positions at this time, but we are always open to hearing from talented psychologists and therapists who might be an excellent fit for our team. If you are interested in exploring potential opportunities, please call our office to start a conversation.
