Policies

The Policy Statement provides important information. Please read it carefully and contact me with any questions.

POLICY STATEMENT

Confidentiality:

The information shared in sessions and the written records of the sessions are confidential. They cannot be shared with anyone without your permission. However, there are certain situations where disclosure is required by law:

When there is a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child, a person with a disability, of the elderly

When a client presents as a danger to themself (for example, is suicidal)

When a client presents as a danger to others

When there is prenatal exposure to controlled substances

When a client is contemplating and/or there is the possible future commission of a crime or harmful act

If a client is involved in a legal proceeding and has put their mental status at issue in a litigation initiated by the client

In certain emergency situations, either while a person is a current client of mine or after termination, if I should become concerned about a client’s safety or about a client possibly injuring someone else, or about a client receiving proper psychiatric care.

In these situations, I am professionally required to notify the legal authorities and to make reasonable attempts to notify the client’s family/emergency contact(s) and follow all the directives required by law.

I often consult with other professionals in order to provide the highest quality care and services. I strive to fully maintain client confidentiality. Therefore, client names and other identifying information are never shared during consultative conversations.

Records Management:

Client records may include communications between sessions and information provided by other professionals in addition to client and session documentation. All client records are available to others only with the client’s written permission to release and according to the conditions detailed above. Records are kept for ten years (or ten years after a client’s date of majority). I will attempt to notify clients when their records are scheduled to be destroyed.

Clients have the right to review or receive a summary of their records at any time except in limited legal or emergency situations or when I have assessed that releasing such information may be harmful in some way. In these cases, I will provide the records to an appropriate and legitimate mental health professional.

I respect client confidentiality and fully comply with HIPAA regulations regarding protected health information and privacy.

Emergency Procedures:

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or your local Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES). I do not provide crisis or emergency services.

The Therapy Process:

Taking part in the therapeutic journey can have many results, intended and unintended. The experience of therapy and counseling can bring forward painful events and memories. Change and growth can be unpredictable. Every step along the way, the decision to continue is yours.

Termination:

Therapy is client driven, if you feel the need to stop or pause it is your choice. Healthy good-byes are important and thus, typically there is a final exit session where information can be shared.

Billing & Payment:

Sessions are scheduled in advance. The most current rates are reflected on the website. Amounts are U.S. dollars (USD). All payments are due at time of service or according to an individualized payment plan.

Cancellations:

If you need to cancel a scheduled session, please provide at least 24-hour advance notice. Clients may be charged a fee up to the full session price for a missed or cancelled session if less than 24 hours advance notice is not provided.