Frequently asked questions
Sessions
What are your available hours for scheduling?
Tuesday through Friday 9am-6pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm (closed Sundays and Mondays). Scheduling dates and times are subject to change in the event of holidays and MNRI training events held online or out of state.
Do you have an office or do you travel to the home for appointments?
All appointments take place in the patient’s home or at a mutually agreed upon location (e.g., family member’s home). I am also able to do Parent Education sessions via telehealth as we continue to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on face to face sessions.
Where in my home will the session take place?
I like to set up the sessions in the part of the home where the individual feels comfortable. I usually bring in my massage table which is 72 by 28 inches (L x W) for the therapy recipient to recline or sit on. Additionally, it is good to have about 7 by 7 feet of open floor space available nearby for active movement. On days when the weather is nice, I love going outside and doing therapy in nature.
What does an MNRI® session look like?
The structure or “road map” for an MNRI session depends on a few factors (e.g., patient’s level of alertness and mobility, the length of the appointment, and overall session goals) but almost always involves sitting and/or laying on the table in supine (face up) or prone (face down) position. During this time, I am able to incorporate therapy techniques from different MNRI protocols to help the brain and body “understand and perform” each reflex we address. If standing and active reflex work is an objective for the session, we will then spend some time using floor space for games and activities to strengthen the reflex repatterning.The MNRI® Program work is based on one simple, yet profound principle: safety first. Whenever working with a child or adult, the MNRI® practitioner has been trained to find “the key” which is the part of the movement that is easy, safe, and natural and then build on that positive experience.
What if my child will not stay on the massage table and pay attention?
Ideally, we would like to complete most of the work on the massage table to have an elevated platform for me to safely reach the child but, I know that children sometimes prefer to move actively around the home. In my 10+ years of being an SLP, I have learned how to be flexible and work with what the child needs to feel comfortable. With time, as the child receives the therapy and is able to regulate their sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system, I anticipate that they will spend longer periods of time on the table. Also, since the therapy works on a subcortical neurological level, the patient’s consistent, full attention is not required to benefit from the integration exercises.
What kind of toys should I provide for my child?
If your child has any toys that they are interested in or consistently like to play with, that might be a good place to start. Since we will be working on visual and auditory reflexes, I recommend not always bringing toys that light up or make loud sounds during some of the exercises. I generally steer clear of imaginative play with toys that could incite fear or violence (e.g., scary monsters or dinosaurs) while on the table as this can over excite the negative protection in some children. In the event that an electronic device is needed to capture their attention, I ask that the adult hold it so that it can be moved for different postures.
How will I know what to do for homework for myself or my loved one?
Since the homework is so important, I create a Home Exercise Plan (HEP) for each MNRI recipient. This plan describes what exercises should be addressed at home and how frequently (in addition to being worked on in our sessions.)
How can I support you during the sessions when you’re working with my child or partner?
I would say the best way to provide support during the session is to be present and engaged. There may be times when you’ll need to provide toys, sing songs, or provide snacks for your child to help them feel comfortable while on the table. Other times, when I’m showing exercises for homework, you may want to have paper and pencil ready to jot down notes for yourself. Asking questions and participating in the session to help you understand is encouraged!
What types of sessions do you offer?
Initial Consultation (70-90 minutes): Consultations are an opportunity for us to meet and discuss your current concerns while I do a hands on evaluation of the client's reflexes. At this appointment, I can put together a plan for treatment and schedule sessions for the future. This is also a great time for me to answer any questions you have about reflex integration.
Treatment Sessions (60-180 minutes): These therapy sessions are when reflex integration exercises (passive and active) are implemented with the client. This is perhaps the best opportunity for parent training as I will be able to instruct you on where to place your hands on the child or your partner for the sensory stimuli, what to look for during the exercise, and how to modify the exercise to meet the client's abilities as they work towards integration of the reflex.
Parent Education Sessions (30 or 60 minutes): These sessions are designed to allow one or both parents to receive training on specific MNRI® exercises (passive and active) to implement into the Home Exercise Program and do not require the client to be present. If the client is present and receiving treatment while I train parents, this is considered an MNRI® Session and will be billed accordingly.
Payment
What forms of payment do you accept?
I currently accept check, credit card, cash, and payments through the PayPal and Zelle apps. I also accept debit and credit cards associated with Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Savings Account (FSA).
Are you in network with any insurance companies?
No. I am currently considered an out-of-network provider with all insurance companies. This is due in part to the low reimbursement rates that the majority of insurance companies set for their in-network therapy providers; the rates do not cover the cost of services. At this time it is more financially sound for me as a single therapist to accept private pay. However, after paying for services, families may choose to submit out-of-network provider claims to their insurance company for reimbursement. Each month I am able to provide you with the necessary records to submit if you wish to do so. In the event that a family would like to inquire with their insurance company about receiving a “network gap exception”, I can assist with the pertinent information the family will need to provide.
Do you offer any types of discounts or reduced fees?
Yes, a benefit of not being in contract with insurance companies is that I am able to offer discounts to families who refer me to others, military discounts for families of active and retired members, and other types of discounts that would otherwise not be allowed if I had set rates with the insurance companies.
How do I receive more info about pricing and/or schedule our first session?
To get the process started, I would suggest that you shoot me an email or send me a message on Facebook through our business page. Once you've reached out to me I'd be happy to send you information or schedule a chat via phone or Google Meet to discuss MNRI® in more detail and schedule the initial consultation appointment.
Miscellaneous
Are parents and caregivers involved in the therapy at all?
Absolutely! For MNRI therapy to have the greatest impact, it is crucial that the exercises be done within the home regularly in addition to our appointments. This is why it is important that a parent or caregiver be present at the table for most appointments to observe, learn, and ask questions. Doing so will help you to fully understand each technique or exercise that might be given as homework to be done on days between appointments with me.
What kind of diagnoses do you work with using MNRI?
In the MNRI practitioner community, we say that “MNRI is for everything!”. We don’t say this to brag, but to affirm that just about any health symptoms or issues can be addressed with MNRI with some level of benefit. I find that as I incorporate using the principles of reflex work into my life, I experience positive changes. While I have not used MNRI to address every health issue and disease possible, I am always enthused to work with anyone who believes MNRI can help them or their loved one.
You say you are a “Core in Training”. What does that mean?
I am currently a Level 4 Core in Training working to transition to an MNRI® Core Specialist, a distinction of honor received after completing a program structured with sufficient rigor to ensure that students become solidly grounded in the MNRI Method® and integrative techniques. As a Core in Training, I have completed advanced training, passed exams provided by MNRI® Instructors, and attended Family Conferences to learn from Dr. Masgutova. This path of learning goes much further beyond attending a class at the basic instruction level and earning a participation certificate. To find other MNRI Core in Training providers and Core Specialists throughout the world, visit the MNRI Provider Directory.
Do you provide traditional speech and feeding therapy?
Yes, since I am first and foremost an SLP, I am able to work on developmentally appropriate skills as a part of therapy. By implementing MNRI ® exercises in the session, I have found that I can lay the neurological groundwork to make learning the new skills less difficult for the child or adult.
