- About Therapy
It is important to know that therapy has both benefits and risks. Therapy can be emotionally painful at times. Sometimes people feel worse before they start to feel better. This is a natural part of the healing process and often indicates that progress is being made. While there are no guarantees, participating in therapy should help you to reduce uncomfortable symptoms and increase your ability to communicate better and enjoy your relationships more. Please talk with me if you have concerns about how you are feeling to avoid any misunderstandings. My normal practice is to establish treatment goals, anticipated length of time and frequency needed to meet those goals. Sessions are generally 55-60 minutes in length.
- Confidentiality
You have the right to a confidential therapeutic relationship that is protected by law. However, there are some limitations. A consent form outlining these limitations will be presented to you for your signature. In addition to the conditions mandated by law, I tend to favor a no secrets policy when working with couples or families unless I assess that it could inflict harm. What I am told by one member in treatment is to be discussed openly with other members in treatment, again, unless there are safety issues. When working with groups, I do not discuss individual members outside of the group session. Contact with me outside of sessions is discouraged.
- Minors
If you are under the age of 18, please be aware that the law may provide your parents or legal guardians with the right to examine your treatment records. Under most circumstances, I request parents give up access to records. If they agree, I provide them only with general information about our work together unless a high risk situation arises in which I feel you are in real danger at which time I will notify parents/legal guardians and/or law enforcement or social services. Before disclosing information, I will make every effort to discuss the matter with you.
- Professional consultations
I may occasionally find it helpful to consult with other professionals about our work together.
I will avoid revealing your identity, however the consultant is also legally bound to keep the information we discuss confidential. I will not normally tell you about consultations unless I feel it is important to our work together.
- Appointments and fees
Generally our sessions will take place at a prearranged time, date and place. We will determine this schedule together. Payment for every session is expected to be paid by the close of the session. It is helpful if you prepare your check or payment envelope before the session so that we can use all our time together addressing your concerns.
Fees per session are: $140/hour for individual/couple/family/professional services
Group fees are different. Please check for information on the group that interests you.
- Cancellation and No-show policy
If you can not make it to your scheduled appointment or group session, I request that you provide me with at least 24-hour notice or you will be charged for the session. Payment for the missed or changed appointment is due within one week. You will not be charged if the session time can be filled by another client. Out of equal respect for your time, I will attempt to provide you 24-hour notice of cancellation or offer your next session free of charge.
- Insurance reimbursement
This is a fee-for-service practice. You are responsible for all charges at the time of service. Your insurance may cover all or part of your therapy costs. I am able to provide you with a statement of fees paid that you may send to your insurance company for application to your annual deductible or for reimbursement at their discretion.
- Additional fees and services
In addition to appointments, I do charge my full hourly fee for other professional services. These may include: report writing, lengthy phone consultations, meeting with other professionals you have authorized, preparation of records or treatment summaries, and other services by request. If you become involved in legal proceedings that require my participation, I will charge $300/hour due to the complexity and difficulty of such activity.
- Termination of service
It is your right to stop therapy whenever you feel you need to. It is my hope that you will discuss your desire to stop therapy with me so that we have an opportunity to bring our time together to a close. I normally review your progress with you and make a referral list for your future use. I am very interested in and welcome your comments about my practice at any time, but especially as you take your leave. If you decide to stop therapy suddenly or do not feel comfortable with a closure session, Id appreciate it if you would notify me by phone message, email, or US mail so that your disappearance does not become cause for concern.