Office Policies and General Information

Welcome to my practice. This document contains important information about the professional relationship we are about to establish and will hopefully answer some pertinent concerns you may have. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you may have regarding anything that you read here. I will be happy to discuss them with you in more detail. I look forward to beginning our work together.

Psychological Services

Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personality and therapeutic style of the therapist, on the client, and on the particular problems that the client presents to the therapist. It is for this reason that the therapist/client relationship works for both parties and that the decision to work together is a mutual one.

Psychotherapy does involve work and effort by the client both in the session and in-between sessions. Because the therapeutic process requires introspection and some vulnerability as a result of sharing one’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and past experiences, it can elicit uncomfortable feelings such as sadness, anxiety, anger, frustration, grief or loneliness. On the positive side, it can provide a significant reduction of both emotional and physical distress, can improve relationships, increase performance, lessen stress, provide invaluable support and guidance during difficult periods of life and transition, and teach healthier ways of thinking and interacting with oneself and significant others.

By the end of the initial session, I will be able to give you some impressions of what our work will include if you decide to continue. You should evaluate this information along with your own assessment about whether you feel comfortable working with me. Therapy involves a commitment of time, trust, money and energy so you should feel as comfortable as possible with the therapist you select.

Appointments, Cancellations and Payments

Sessions are approximately 60 minutes long. My fee for this service is $185. Extended sessions are available for $250. Working with more than one person in a session usually requires an extended session.

Please feel free to discuss with me any financial concerns you may have. My practice is primarily private pay. You may have the option of submitting a bill to your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits.

I must be informed of cancellations at least 24 hours in advance. Less than 24 hours will result in your being responsible for the full fee of the missed session, unless there are unusual circumstances that you inform me of. No shows show serious lack of commitment to the therapeutic process and will result in a respectful discussion about the efficacy of therapy at this time or discontinuation with therapy if there is more than one no show. Should this occur, I would give you several options of other therapists that you can see or we can work on a solution to rectify this issue.

Confidentiality

All communication between a therapist and a client is considered to be confidential and will be treated as such, unless authorization is obtained in writing from you to release or obtain information from another person or agency. If there is an insurance company involved in your claim, there is an understanding that they can have access to a diagnosis or more detailed information upon request. There are a few critical exceptions to confidentiality. The first exception occurs if the therapist believes that the client is an immediate danger to himself/herself or to someone else, or if the person is gravely disabled and unable to care for himself/herself as a result of a mental or physical illness. In any of these situations, the therapist is required, ethically and legally, to act in the client’s best interest and to take the necessary steps towards protecting the client and/or the endangered persons. These steps could involve notifying police and/or medical agencies. If the therapist feels there is a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or abuse of an elder or dependent adult, a repost is required to be filed with the appropriate agency. Finally, if a client is involved in litigation, it is foreseeable that the therapist and/or the therapist’s records may be subpoenaed by court. If this occurs, the therapist is bound to comply with the court.

Termination of Therapy

You have the right to terminate therapy with me at any time. I do ask that you communicate your intention to do so with me, so that we have the opportunity for closure. I have the right to terminate therapy with you under the following conditions: when I believe therapy is no longer beneficial to you, when I believe that you will be better served by another professional, when you have not paid for your sessions in a reasonable time frame, when you have failed to show up for multiple therapy sessions without notice. If I determine that I cannot help you, I will assist you by providing you with phone numbers for three alternative therapists.

Telephone and Emergency Procedures

If you need to contact me between sessions, please leave a message on my office phone at 805-682-7313. I make an effort to return calls as quickly as possible. For emergencies that may occur for current clients, please leave a message on my office machine and then follow the instructions on my machine about reaching me. If the need is urgent you must call 911 or go immediately to Cottage Hospital Emergency Room, as there will still be a delay when I can get back to you. During my vacations, I will leave you another therapist’s phone number on my answering machine, who will cover for me during those times.