Practice Policies

Below are detailed my general policies for my counseling practice. If you have any questions or concerns about any of these policies, please discuss them with me. As each individual’s situation is unique, I may at times alter or adapt one or more of this policies to the needs of a specific client. If you feel that your needs would be best met by an adjustment in one this policies, please ask me about it.

APPOINTMENTS

You are responsible for coming to your session on time and at the time we have scheduled. Unless otherwise specified, individual sessions between 50 - 60 minutes. If you arrive late, we will still end on time. If you cancel a session with less than twenty-four hours notice, or do not show up for a session without prior cancellation, I request that you pay the full session fee. I offer phone and video Telehealth sessions, and can typically change to meeting virtually if roads are unsafe to drive, or if you would prefer not to meet in person on a particular day. If you no-show for a session and do not attempt to reschedule, I will assume that you have dropped out of therapy and will make the space available to another individual. If you repeatedly reschedule appointments, I may suggest that we revisit and adapt these policies to accommodate both of our needs. If you would like to receive appointment reminders by email or text, please let me know.

PAYMENT

You are responsible for paying at the time of your session unless we have made other firm arrangements in advance. My current fee for an individual counseling session of 50 – 60 minutes is $150.  Occasional between session phone calls of less than ten minutes are normally free. However, if we spend more than 10 minutes in a week on the phone, if you leave more than 10 minutes worth of phone messages in a week, or if I spend more than 10 minutes reading and responding to emails from you during a given week I may bill you on a prorated basis for that time.  In some cases of need my normal fee may be modified.  Please inquire if this is a possibility you would like to explore.

I regularly increase my fees to account for inflation and cost of living increases. These typically occur annually, and I will give you advance notice of these fee changes.

I accept payment by cash, check, credit card and HSA card.  I am able to keep a card on file electronically, and my scheduling software will offer this option to you.  I do not personally bill insurance.  I choose not to take insurance as this allows me to focus my time and energy on our work together, minimize paperwork, and thus keep my rates lower.  Some insurance policies offer out-of-network benefits, which may allow you to directly submit a request for reimbursement for my fees, if you have a qualifying mental health diagnosis. The paperwork for reimbursement is called a Superbill, and I would be happy to provide this for you.   If you plan to pursue insurance reimbursement, please inform me of this at the start of treatment, so that we can discuss a possible diagnosis, as well as other implications of submitting for insurance reimbursement.

COURT TESTIMONY AND LEGAL INVOLVEMENT

I do not provide court testimony, forensic assessment, custody evaluations, letters to attorneys, or any other services for court or legal purposes. My services are limited only to enhancing the health and functioning of my clients.

By signing this agreement and beginning treatment with me, you agree that none of our conversations, treatment, records, diagnoses, etc. can be used for any legal purposes, and that my records and/or oral testimony cannot be compelled in any case. If a subpoena is issued requiring my appearance or for my records and/or oral testimony, you will then be billed for any attorney fees, costs and/or expenses incurred for the time required to comply with or otherwise resolve the subpoena, and for my time related to dealing with the subpoena.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

I cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media, including email and text messages. If you prefer to communicate via email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, I will do so. While I try to return messages in a timely manner, I cannot guarantee immediate response and request that you do not use these methods of communication to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Due to the importance of your confidentiality and the importance of minimizing dual relationships, I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). I believe that adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up when we meet and we can talk more about it.

TERMINATION

Ending relationships can be difficult. Therefore, it is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure. The appropriate length of the termination depends on the length and intensity of the treatment. I may terminate treatment after appropriate discussion with you and a termination process, if I determine that the psychotherapy is not being effectively used or if you are in default on payment. I will not terminate the therapeutic relationship without first discussing and exploring the reasons and purpose of terminating. If therapy is terminated for any reason or you request another therapist, I will provide you with a list of qualified psychotherapists to treat you. You may also choose someone on your own or from another referral source.

VACATION and RETREATS

I am away from the office several times in the year for vacations, to attend professional meetings, to attend silent meditation retreats, and for other personal reasons. I will tell you well in advance of any anticipated lengthy absences.

CRISIS

I am usually available for brief between-session phone calls, though it can typically take me 24-48 hours to return a phone message or email, and often longer over the weekend. If you are in crisis please call the Crisis Line at 774-HELP, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room for assistance.