Policies

Consultation / Pre-Screening

Before meeting in person, I recommend that we talk on the phone for a free 15-minute consultation. This gives you the opportunity to share what it is you’re looking for in this process. Based on our conversation, I can either schedule your first apointment or provide you with referrals. Either way, it’s important that we are a “good fit,” since we will be working closely together.

Once we’ve talked, and if you’ve decided to work with me, you’ll receive a welcome e-mail and link to create a Client Portal via SimplePractice for scheduling, filling out forms, etc. You can complete documents from the comfort of your home and submit them online before our first session.

Initial Intake Session

Our first session is called an intake session, which is longer than your typical counseling session. A typical session is approximately 55 minutes long, whereas an intake session is 90 minutes long. This meeting allows us to get to know each other better. The intake will help me learn more about who you are and what’s important to you. Additionally, I will use this time to describe my counseling approach, policies, and expectations for this process.

The intake session also allows me to hear more about your reasons for starting counseling at this time in your life. I will gain understanding into the larger context of the challenges you’re facing as well as the goals you have for counseling. Finally, this session allows me to answer any questions you might have and to review paperwork, making sure I have all the information I need for counseling to being successful.

Emergencies

If you are experiencing a dangerous or life-threatening emergency — psychiatric or medical — you should call 911 immediately or visit nearest hospital or emergency services. I do not provide 24/7 on-call services.

Cancellation / Lateness

Cancellation by You: Should you need to cancel your appointment, you have 48 business hours (Monday-Friday) from the time of your scheduled appointment date and time to notify me by email, phone call, or voicemail. Please do not text me. (For example, a Monday 3 PM appointment should be cancelled before 3 PM on Thursday of the week prior.) If I do not receive proper notice of cancellation, you will be charged 50% of the service rate. (Please be mindful that insurance may not cover cancellation fees. Therefore, this may be an out-of-pocket expense.) Continuation of sessions is dependent upon payment of this cancellation fee. 

Running Late to Session: If you arrive late to a session, we can only meet for the remaining time left of your scheduled appointment. If you will be significantly late, you may give prior notice to cancel this appointment (and pay the 50% cancellation fee), then reschedule. It is your choice if you would like to continue with the session for the remainder of your scheduled appointment. 

Cancellation by Me: If I should have to cancel an appointment with you, I will notify you at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment, whenever possible, via the preferred contact you provide. Only an emergency would prevent such notice. If illness prevents me from meeting in person, I may offer you an option to keep the appointment via online Telehealth or reschedule your appointment. If either of us choose to reschedule, this cancellation is at no cost or penalty to you.

Cancellation by Inclement Weather: If we need cancel an in-person appointment with to unexpected, dangerous weather, I will notify you at the earliest opportunity and give you an option to keep the appointment via online Telehealth or reschedule your appointment. If you choose to reschedule, this cancellation is at no cost or penalty to you.

Frequently missed sessions: If you miss three (3) scheduled sessions back-to-back, we will have to discuss if it is the right time for you to commit to counseling. Neither of us would want to continue the process if scheduling difficulties are interfering with progress. 

Technology & Social Media

In order to protect the integrity of our professional relationship and to preserve our therapeutic alliance, I will not have any contact or connection via social media (i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.) with any former, potential, or current clients. It is unethical for me to do so.

Additionally, I do not receive text messages from clients. Text messaging is not a secure or private method of communication. Therefore, I will not respond to any text messages. If you need to reschedule an appointment, you may call, leave a voicemail, or email. You can always message me securely through your Client Portal via SimplePractice, once we’ve created your profile and scheduled your initial appointment.