Fees, Insurance, and Cancellation of Appointments

The fee for each therapy session (60 minutes) is $130.00. Sessions extending beyond 60 minutes or any telephone consultations over 10 minutes will be charged on a prorated basis for the additional time.  I am not on insurance network panels, but if you have insurance that pays for out of network outpatient counseling, you can receive a billing statement that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.  Payment is required at the time of service or prior to service for phone sessions.

Please be aware that when you make an appointment, I am reserving that time for you.  If you are late, that cuts down on your therapy time.  If you miss an appointment, that is time that could have been scheduled for another client.  Therefore, I charge for missed appointments where I have not been given 24-hour cancellation notice.  If you do need to cancel, I appreciate as much notice as possible, so that someone else who may be waiting for an appointment can arrange to come in.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality and privileged communication are rights of all clients of psychotherapists according to the law and professional ethics.  No information about you, or the counseling services provided to you, will be released without your consent.  There are, however, certain circumstances in which it may be required to release client information.  Examples of legal disclosure without consent are suspected child abuse or neglect, danger to oneself or others and a court order to disclose information.  Carefully read and sign the HIPPA guidelines which are also posted in this section.

Technology-Based Communication

Email:

I realize many people prefer to email because it is a quick way to convey information. Please know that it is my policy to utilize this means of communication strictly for brief topics such as appointment confirmations and brief general information. Also, please do not communicate time-sensitive information to me via email as I may not see it in a timely manner.

Text Messaging:

I don’t use texting to communicate with clients except in reference to a scheduled appointment. I realize it too is an easy and quick way to convey information but know that I don’t check for texts regularly so I may not see your text till the end of the day. Furthermore, sometimes people misinterpret the meaning of a text message and/or the emotion behind it which is not helpful.

Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Etc:

It is my policy to not accept “friend” or “connection” requests from any current or former client on my personal social networking sites such as Facebook, etc. because it may compromise your confidentiality and blur the boundaries of our relationship.

Communication Response Time

My practice is outpatient therapy and I am set up to accommodate individuals who are reasonably safe and resourceful. I will return phone calls within 24 hours; however, I do not return calls on weekends or holidays. If you are having a mental health emergency and need immediate assistance, please follow the instructions below.

In Case of Emergency

If you have a mental health emergency, I encourage you not to wait for communication back from me but do one or more of the following:

Call 911
Go to your nearest emergency room

Policies to Protect the Privacy of Your Health Information

I. Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operation:

I may use or disclose your protected health information (PHI) for treatment, payment, and health care operations purposes with your written authorization,. Examples would be if I consult with another health care provider, such as your family physician, psychiatrist, or another psychotherapist. Since I do not bill insurance companies I do not disclose information for payment.

II. Other Uses and Disclosures Requiring Authorization

I may use or disclose PHI for purposes other than the above when I have obtained your authorization before releasing it, This includes notes from our sessions. You may revoke all authorizations at any time, provided that the revocation is in writing.

III. Uses and Disclosures Without Authorization

I may use or disclose PHI without your consent or authorization in the following  circumstances (if at all possible, I will discuss this disclosure with you before it happens):

*Child abuse. If I have reasonable cause to believe a child known to me in my professional capacity may be an abused or neglected child, I must report this belief to the proper authorities.

*Adult and Domestic Abuse. If I have reason to believe that an individual (who is protected by state law) has been abused, neglected, or financially exploited, I must report this belief to the appropriate authorities.

*Judicial and Administrative Proceedings. If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information by any party about your evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment and the records thereof, such information is privileged under state law, and I must not release such information without a court order. I can release the information directly to you on your request.

*Serious Threat to Health or Safety. If you communicate to me a specific threat of imminent harm against another individual or if I believe that there is clear, imminent risk of physical or mental injury being inflicted against another individual, I may make disclosures that I believe are necessary to protect that individual from harm. If I believe that you present an imminent, serious risk of physical or mental injury or death to yourself, I may make disclosures I consider necessary to protect you from harm.

*Health Oversight Activities. I may disclose PHI  regarding you to a health oversight agency for oversite activities authorized by law, including licensure or disciplinary actions.

*Workers Compensation. I may disclose PHI regarding you as authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with the laws relating to workers compensation or other similar programs, established by law, that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness without regard to fault.

IV. Social Worker's Duties:

*I am required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI and to provide you with a notice of my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI.

*I reserve the right to change the privacy policies described in this notice. Unless I notify you of such changes, I am required to abide by the terms currently in effect.

*If I revise my policies, I will notify you in writing.

V. Effective Date of this Privacy Policy:

This is effective immediately.