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Shepherd's Heart Counseling
Our Services

Parenting Assessment in Siler City, NC

A structured, time-limited process — usually three to four sessions — that produces a clear written picture of what's going on at home and a recommended direction. It is not psychological testing, it is not an ADHD or autism diagnosis, and it is not a custody evaluation.

A warm, softly lit counseling office with a notebook and pen on a wooden desk, ready for an intake conversation.

A structured process, not an ongoing service.

A parenting assessment is a defined engagement with a beginning and an end. Most assessments run three to four sessions over two to four weeks. It exists because families frequently arrive not knowing what they actually need — is this a parenting-strategy problem, a teen mental-health problem, a family-system problem, a marriage problem, a school problem, a case for a pediatric referral, or some combination — and choosing the wrong service costs months and money. The assessment is the way to answer that question before you commit to a course of care.

What actually happens across the sessions.

Session one is a parent interview — one or both parents, whichever is the operational reality — covering developmental history, current concerns, the shape of the household, what you've already tried, and what a good outcome would look like. Session two typically brings the child or teen in for an age-appropriate conversation and, where relevant, a session watching how you and your child interact directly. Between sessions you complete a small set of standard questionnaires — behavior rating scales, parenting-stress measures, sometimes a screener for anxiety or depression in the child. If a school or previous provider has relevant records and you consent, we may request those. Session three (sometimes four) is the feedback session with the parents: what we found, what we think is driving it, and the plan.

What you walk away with.

A short written summary — usually four to seven pages — that lays out the presenting concerns, what we heard and observed, how it fits together, and a specific recommended direction. That direction might be: parent coaching for eight sessions to address a specific household pattern. Or individual therapy for one parent whose own anxiety is driving the escalation. Or teen counseling with a specific focus. Or a combination, sequenced. Or a referral out — to a pediatrician, a psychiatrist, a psychoeducational evaluator, a family therapist with a different specialty. The point is that the plan is specific and reasoned, not a shrug and a wish.

What this is NOT.

Say this out loud so no one is confused. A parenting assessment is not psychological testing — we do not administer IQ tests, achievement tests, or standardized neuropsychological batteries. It is not a diagnostic evaluation for ADHD, autism, or a learning disorder; if that is what you need, we will refer you to a psychologist or developmental clinician who does that work. It is not a custody evaluation, a forensic evaluation, or a court-ordered report, and the written summary is not a document intended for use in a legal proceeding. If a court process is involved, tell us at intake — the ethical and clinical requirements are different and we may not be the right provider.

How families use the result.

Most families choose to continue services with Shepherd's Heart along the direction the assessment recommended — parent coaching, parent counseling, individual therapy, teen counseling, or some combination. Some take the written summary and use it with another provider (a school, a pediatrician, a previous therapist). Some read it, decide they now know what they need to do on their own, and don't come back for a year. All of those are legitimate outcomes. The assessment is meant to leave you with clarity, not to obligate you to a plan.

Practical details.

Sessions are billed at standard rates: $195 for the intake session, $155 for each subsequent session (so a typical three-session assessment lands around $500–$650 in session fees). The written summary is included. Shepherd's Heart is in-network with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina; whether the specific sessions can be billed to insurance depends on medical necessity and the diagnostic picture, and we'll talk that through at intake. Available in the Siler City office or by telehealth for the interview portions. Care is provided by John C. Murphy, MA, LCMHC (NC #15133).

Many families combine this work with parent coaching or parent counseling. If you're not sure where to begin, reach out for a free consultation and we'll figure out the right starting point together.

FAQ

Common questions.

Is this psychological testing or an ADHD evaluation?

No. A parenting assessment is a clinical assessment, not standardized psychological testing. It does not produce an ADHD, autism, or learning-disorder diagnosis. If that is what you need, we will refer you to a psychologist or developmental clinician who specializes in it.

Can this be used in a custody case?

No. This is not a custody evaluation, a forensic evaluation, or a court-ordered report, and the written summary is not written for legal proceedings. If a court process is involved, tell us at intake — you likely need a forensic evaluator, not this service.

How many sessions does it take?

Most assessments run three to four sessions over two to four weeks — a parent interview, a session that includes the child or teen, and a feedback session where we walk through the written summary and the plan. Complex situations occasionally need a fourth or fifth session.

Do we have to continue services here afterward?

No. The point of the assessment is clarity. Many families do continue with the recommended service here, but plenty take the summary and use it elsewhere, or take the summary and implement changes on their own. It's a defined product, not a funnel.

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