Policies

Fees

I re-evaluate my rates yearly (typically first of the calendar year) and are subject to increase as appropriate in the market.

Cancellation Policy

It is my hope that systems in place (email reminders, text reminders) will help you in remembering our appointment dates/times.  To that end, I request 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. I account for 1 missed/late cancellation, and after that failure to give 24 hours notice will result in a charge of the full fee of the scheduled session.

Hours of Operation

I see clients Monday – Friday. All phone calls and emails will be responded to Monday-Friday 9am-5pm as I am able.  Please note that many times I will be away from my phone/email as I am working with clients, so I  will respond to your call or email when I have a break in schedule which may be the end of the business day. If for any reason I am out of the office for an extended period of time, I will ensure my out of office email response and voicemails are changed to notify you as of such. 

What to do in a Mental Health Emergency

If there is a crisis or life-threatening mental health emergency and you do not reach me, please do not wait for me to return your call, text, or email. PLEASE call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), 911 or report to the nearest emergency department.  

Email and Text Usage

By nature, therapy is confidential, however, email correspondence and text exchanges are not secure; therefore, please be mindful there is always a chance of a breach in such communications. They can be used as evidence in court. While these modes of communication can be useful for general communication (i.e. appointment cancellation), please note that I will not respond to emails or texts with clinical information.

Social Media

Due to your confidentiality and respecting our therapeutic relationship, I do not accept friend or contact requests from clients on any social media sites (Facebook, etc). I do not want to compromise your confidentiality, and also want to respect the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask for additional discussion.

Speaking of Confidentiality

If we see each other in public, please note that I will not acknowledge you first.  Trust me: I am the first person who wants to greet someone! :) But please know, this is completely out of respect for your confidentiality.  If you greet me, I will absolutely greet you back. If you are with someone and want to introduce me, feel free, using whatever relationship dynamic you feel is appropriate (acquaintance is always a solid choice!).  If I am with someone and am asked how I know you, I will state that you are an acquaintance. 

Confidentiality with Minors/Working with Minors

When working with minors, I believe that confidentiality is important to build trust in working with the client.  Confidentiality will be kept unless there is a concern that the child is in danger to themselves, someone else, or have reason to believe they have been harmed. In these cases, the parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified of the concern. I will make every effort to speak to the minor as well regarding any disclosure. I also firmly believe that keeping parent(s) or guardian(s) informed of treatment progress is of upmost importance as well. I will provide them with general information about the treatment progress and the attendance of scheduled sessions. This ensures that the therapeutic alliance between therapist and minor is respected which will hopefully strengthen progress to be made. I also welcome any information from parents/guardians throughout treatment which could be helpful in treatment progress. When appropriate, family sessions may be recommended/requested. If I am seeing an adolescent where there is a standing court order related to custodial rights or a parenting agreement, I require a copy of the standing court order demonstrating the custodial rights or a parenting agreement signed by both parents and judge unless both parents have signed consent for treatment.

Termination

It is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure in the therapeutic relationship when the time comes. I feel strongly that you have the right to choose when this therapeutic relationship may no longer serve you. For me, I may terminate treatment after appropriate discussion with you if I determine that therapy is not effective or if you are in default on payment. Therapy is a mutually consensual relationship. Please never hesitate to bring up thoughts on termination and we will work through that time together.

Should you fail to schedule/show for an appointment for three consecutive regular scheduled appointments (i.e. if we see each other bi-weekly and 6 weeks goes by without an appointment or contact as related) I will consider the professional relationship discontinued. I will reach out to you twice prior to termination. 

Good Faith Estimate Notice

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.