Question 1

What ages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

At Unity Kids Behavioral Health, we specialize in therapy services for children, teens, and young adults as well as parent training. Most of our clients are between ages 5–17, though we also support young adults (ages 18-23) navigating transitions after high school.

The approach is tailored developmentally, ensuring that each child or teen receives care that matches their emotional, cognitive, and social stage. For very young children, parents are often heavily involved and parent training may be suggested as a more appropriate approach to care depending on presenting concerns.

Question 2

Do you offer therapy outside of Northern Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a licensed clinical psychologist and PSYPACT provider, I am authorized to provide telehealth services to families located in participating PSYPACT states. This means I can work with children, teens, and young adults in Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, and 40 additional participating PSYPACT states.

Telehealth allows families to access specialized pediatric anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral therapy without geographic limitations. If you’re unsure whether your state participates in PSYPACT, feel free to reach out to me!

Question 3

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. to help increase access to care, Unity Kids Behavioral Health is in network with CareFirst and BCBS plans. We are also ONN with other insurance plans and can offer you a superbills (receipt of services) that you can submit to your insurance plan to access partial reimbursement depending on your plan. Many of our patients successfully receive some reimbursement for their care from their insurance company, with some receiving up to 80% reimbursement of session cost. Specific questions to inquire about from your insurance plan are listed on the "Rates and Insurance" page of our website here:

Question 4

How long does therapy last?

Accepted Answer

The length of therapy depends on you or your child’s goals and needs. Some families benefit from short-term, structured treatment (6–16 sessions), while others may have a higher level of needs, or other variables impacting treatment, and require longer-term support. Evidence-based methods of treatment are always used and we use measurable goals to track progress and regularly review treatment plans together. The goal is always to successfully graduate patients once they have me their therapy goals.

Question 5

Do you provide psychological testing?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Mahgoub has over a decade of experience in providing psychological assessments for children and adolescents. At this time, however, comprehensive in-person psychological testing (including cognitive batteries) are not offered at Unity Kids.

I do provide thorough clinical intake assessments that include detailed parent interviews, developmental and academic history review, behavioral and emotional screening, and sometimes other assessment tools that families can complete that help me further assess for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and ASD symptoms. 
These tools allow me to gather structured data to clarify diagnoses and guide treatment planning.

If, following this clinical assessment, more comprehensive in-person cognitive, social, academic, or neuropsychological testing is warranted, I will provide clear recommendations and referrals.

In-person psychological testing services are planned for the future.

Question 6

Do parents participate in therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

Parent involvement is an important part of treatment. Depending on your child's age and goals, sessions may include parent consultation, parent coaching, family involvement, or individual time with your child. Research consistently shows that involving parents can improve treatment outcomes.

Question 7

Do you offer virtual therapy for children and teens?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All services are currently provided through secure telehealth. Many children, teens, and parents appreciate the convenience of virtual therapy, and research shows that telehealth can be highly effective for many mental health concerns.

Question 8

How soon can we get started?

Accepted Answer

Availability varies throughout the year. Families can schedule a free consultation to discuss concerns, determine whether services are a good fit, and learn about current openings.

Question 9

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

Accepted Answer

Many parents wonder whether their child's struggles are a normal part of development or a sign that additional support may be helpful. Consider seeking therapy if your child experiences persistent anxiety, frequent emotional outbursts, sadness, difficulty managing emotions, behavioral challenges, school difficulties, social struggles, or changes in sleep, appetite, or daily functioning. You do not need to wait until a problem becomes severe to seek support. Early intervention can help children develop healthy coping skills and prevent concerns from worsening over time.

Question 10

What therapy approaches do you use?

Accepted Answer

I use evidence-based treatments including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Parent Management Training (PMT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Treatment recommendations are individualized based on your child's needs and goals.

Frequently asked questions