FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
At Canine Connected Counseling, we are dedicated to supporting clients ages 4 and up across the lifespan. Jessica Allen, LCSW, has a particular interest in serving clients who identify as neurodivergent, who may be navigating chronic illness(es), and who may have complex trauma histories related to parent and/or pet loss, medical procedures, childhood attachment wounds, and/or ACEs.
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What is your specialty?
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or book a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call online!
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Do you accept health insurance?
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Canine Connected Counseling operates under a fee-for-service business model. Most insurance plans have out-of-network benefits. We can provide clients with a monthly superbill that can be submitted directly to their insurance company. The client would receive a reimbursement check to deposit themselves.
Canine Connected Counseling cannot guarantee OON benefits; please call your insurance company to ask about OON benefits prior to scheduling with our office
Are you accepting new clients?
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Yes. Jessica provides in-person appointments at her office. Located just outside the heart of the Village of Lancaster at 5775 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086. Due to limited telehealth appointments, please call our office at (716) 217-0087 to inquire about current availability.
The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) recognizes the following definition for animal-assisted therapy:
“Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. Animal-assisted therapy is delivered and/or directed by health or human service providers working within the scope of their profession. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, or cognitive function. Animal-assisted therapy is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature. The process is documented and evaluated.”
To learn more, visit Jessica’s blog post which provides an overview of animal-assisted therapy.
What is Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)?
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How does AAT improve outcomes in mental health treatment?
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Animals in therapy ask for clients to develop empathy, nurturance, and responsibility and model other skills like forgiveness, authenticity, and patience. They encourage clients to remain present within their body, grounding them into the here-and-now. Human-animal research shows the many beneficial physiological impacts animals can have on our nervous systems, increasing moments of ventral vagal states and widening clients’ window of tolerance, improving clients' emotional regulation skills, focus, psychological flexibility, and attention.
This is especially impactful for clients with neurodivergence such as ADHD, autism, or sensory processing differences and clients with complex trauma histories. Animals are a bridge giving clients the opportunity to practice social and emotional regulation skills without the pressure of direct human interaction. Animals provide authentic and immediate feedback about clients' behaviors in sessions, creating opportunities to expand clients’ interoception and self-awareness.
How do I check-in for my appointment when I arrive?
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Enter through the front door of the building and head into the front lounge waiting area. On the left-hand side of the lounge is an end table with Canine Connected Counseling materials and signage on it.
On the table there is a sign that directs you to use your phone to "tap or scan to check in for your appointment." This will direct you to an online check-in form.
If the NFC tap does not work, open your camera app and scan the QR code.
Please follow the instructions to complete the check-in process. Jessica will be notified the moment you click “Submit.”