Welcome to the practice! We look forward to supporting you and are honored that you chose Your Happy is You, LLC.  

This document is intended to provide important information to you regarding your treatment. Please read the entire document carefully and be sure to ask your therapist any questions that you may have regarding its contents. Once you have read it, please answer the questions at the bottom of the form.

Information about your therapist and this this practice

The name of this practice is: Your Happy is You, LLC
The individual therapist(s) who operate this practice is/are: Melissa Ann Cole, Ed.S.
Therapist License Type: Licensed Professional Counselor, NJ  

Fees

Your Happy is You, LLC does not participate with any insurance company as an in-network provider.  However, if you have out of network benefits it is possible that a portion of your services may still be covered.  Please contact your insurance company to inquire about your out of network benefits. The amount of reimbursement and the amount of any deductible depends on the requirements of your specific insurance plan. Although your therapist/provider is happy to assist your efforts to seek insurance reimbursement, we are unable to guarantee whether your insurance will provide payment for the services provided to you. Please discuss any questions or concerns that you may have about this with your therapist.

The fee for service is $ 100.00 per individual therapy session.
The fee for service is $ 140.00 per conjoint (marital /family) therapy session.
The fee for service is $ 35.00* per group therapy session.
(*This varies depending on group type and length.  Some groups require fees to be paid in advance).

Individual Sessions and conjoint (marital/family) sessions are approximately 50 minutes in length (though this can vary). Fees are payable at the time that services are rendered. If using credit, your card will be charged automatically after each session occurs or was scheduled to occur (in the case of a missed session). Please ask your therapist if you wish to discuss a written agreement that specifies an alternative payment procedure. Credit/Debit/HSA cards are accepted. You (patient) are responsible for any bank fees assessed to the provider as a result of returned check or disputed charge.  

If for some reason you find that you are unable to continue paying for your therapy, you should inform your therapist. Your therapist will help you to consider any options that may be available to you at that time.

Confidentiality

All communications between you and your therapist will be held in strict confidence unless you provide written permission to release information about your treatment.

There are exceptions to confidentiality. For example, therapists are required to report instances of suspected child, dependent adult, or elder abuse. Therapists may also be required or permitted to break confidentiality when they have determined that a patient presents a serious danger of physical violence to another person or when a patient is dangerous to themself.

Your counselor may determine that it is clinically necessary to reach out to an emergency contact regarding your well-being.  If this is the case every attempt will be made to limit information shared in order to maintain your confidentiality to the great extent possible.  

If you participate in marital or family therapy, your therapist will not disclose confidential information about your treatment unless all person(s) who participated in the treatment with you provide their written authorization to release such information. However, it is important that you know that your therapist utilizes a “no-secrets” policy when conducting family or marital/couples therapy. This means that if you participate in family, and/or marital/couples therapy, your therapist is permitted to use information obtained in an individual session that you may have had with him or her, when working with other members of your family.
Please feel free to ask your therapist about his or her “no secrets” policy and how it may apply to you.

Minors and Confidentiality

Communications between therapists and patients who are minors (under the age of 18) are confidential. However, parents and other guardians who provide authorization for their child’s treatment are often involved in their treatment. Consequently, your therapist, in the exercise of his or her professional judgment, may discuss the treatment progress of a minor patient with the parent or caretaker. Patients who are minors and their parents are urged to discuss any questions or concerns that they have on this topic with their therapist.

Appointment Scheduling and Cancellation Policies

Sessions are typically scheduled to occur one time per week or every other week at the same time and day if possible, though this may vary depending on your needs. Your therapist may suggest a different frequency of therapy depending on the nature and severity of your concerns. Your consistent attendance greatly contributes to a successful outcome. In order to cancel or reschedule an appointment, you are required to notify your therapist at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment. If you do not provide your therapist with at least 24 hours’ notice in advance, you are responsible for payment for the missed session.
 
Therapist Availability/Emergencies

You are welcome to phone your therapist in between sessions. However, as a general rule, it is our belief that important issues are better addressed within regularly scheduled sessions. You may leave a message for your therapist at any time on his/her confidential voicemail at 856-975-0055. If you would like your therapist to return your call, please be sure to leave your name and phone number(s), along with a brief message concerning the nature of your call. Non-urgent phone calls are returned during the therapist’s normal workdays within 48 hours, if requested. If you have an urgent need to speak with your therapist, please indicate that fact in your message and follow any instructions that are provided by your therapist’s voicemail.

Sensitive, clinical information is to be discussed over the phone or in-person as deemed appropriate by the therapist. For appropriate e-mail or text communication your therapist will respond to your e-mail or text within 48 hours or may wait until the following session to discuss the information within the email or text. Potential risks of using electronic communication may include but are not limited to; inadvertent sending of an e-mail or text containing confidential information to the wrong recipient, theft or loss of the computer, laptop or mobile device storing confidential information, and interception by an unauthorized third party through an unsecured network. E-mail messages may contain viruses or other defects and it is your responsibility to ensure that it is virus-free. In addition, e-mail or text communication become part of the clinical record.

In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency or an emergency involving a threat to your safety or the safety of others, please call 911 to request emergency assistance.

You should be aware that your therapist is generally available to return phone calls within approximately 48 hours. Your therapist is not available to return calls after 9:00pm.

You should also be aware of the following resources that are available in the community to assist individuals who are in crisis:

Crisis Hotline: NJ HOPELINE (855)-654-6735
Local Hospital: Jefferson Washington Twp 435 Hurffville-Cross Keys Rd, Turnersville, NJ (856) 582 2500
NJ Performcare – Children’s Mobile Response: (877) 652-7624
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800)-273-TALK
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741
Youth Hotline: 2NDFLOOR YOUTH HELPLINE (888)-222-2228
Domestic Violence Help: (800)-572-7233
The Trevor Project LGBT Youth suicide hotline: (866) 488-7386
LGBT National Hotline (888)-843-4564
National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800)-656-4673


About the Therapy Process

It is your therapist’s intention to provide services that will assist you in reaching your goals. It is important to note that the therapeutic process can be uncomfortable at times and it is okay to process this with your therapist. Based on the information that you provide to your therapist and the specifics of your situation, your therapist will provide recommendations to you regarding your treatment. We believe that therapists and patients are partners in the therapeutic process. You have the right to agree or disagree with your therapist’s recommendations.

Your therapist will work with you to develop an effective treatment plan. Over the course of therapy, your therapist will attempt to evaluate whether the therapy provided is beneficial to you. Your feedback and input is an important part of this process. It is the goal of your therapist to assist you in effectively addressing your problems and concerns. However, due to the varying nature and severity of problems and the individuality of each patient, your therapist is unable to predict the length of your therapy or to guarantee a specific outcome or result.

Termination of Therapy

The length of your treatment and the timing of the eventual termination of your treatment depend on the specifics of your treatment plan and the progress you achieve. It is a good idea to plan for your termination, in collaboration with your therapist. Your therapist will discuss a plan for termination with you as you approach the completion of your treatment goals.

You may discontinue therapy at any time. If you or your therapist determines that you are not benefiting from treatment, either of you may elect to initiate a discussion of your treatment alternatives. Treatment alternatives may include, among other possibilities, referral, changing your treatment plan, or terminating your therapy.