The following information outlines my office policies regarding providing psychotherapy services and consultation, confidentiality, record keeping, telephone availability and emergencies. Should you have any questions regarding these policies, please do not hesitate to raise them during our first phone consultation or session. (A printable form can be found here)

1. Psychotherapy Services, Informed Consent & Consultation

   Psychotherapy varies considerably with respect to theoretical orientation, choice of intervention/technique, and duration of treatment. People enter psychotherapy for many reasons - some related to a specific issue or difficulty, some to learn more about what motivates their choices and behaviors. Beginning psychotherapy involves a thoughtful commitment of time, energy, and financial resources, and choosing the right therapist will greatly improve your ability to utilize therapy effectively.

   
   

   Informed Consent: The LCSW’s responsibility is to provide services to clients only in the context of a professional relationship based, when appropriate, on valid informed consent, and to use clear and understandable language to inform clients of the purpose of your services, risks related to your services, limits to your services because of the requirements of a third-party payer, relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, the clients’ right to refuse or withdraw consent, and the time-frame covered by the consent.

   
   

   Beginning Treatment: At the start of treatment, I conduct an initial assessment, which typically lasts 4 sessions. During these initial sessions, I gather information regarding your current difficulties, answer your questions and concerns, and inquire about past psychiatric and medical treatment, and family history. Upon completing this evaluation, I will discuss with you my clinical impressions, and recommended treatment plan. When psychotherapy begins, I typically schedule one 50-minute session per week. When indicated or when cultivating a more intensive exploration, more frequent sessions may be necessary or suggested.

   
   

   Orientation: I am trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Additionally, I have received post-graduate training in providing time-limited dynamic psychotherapy and both Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Depending on what an individual is hoping to achieve in therapy, the duration for which they are able to commit to therapy, and the nature of their identified concerns, I will apply those psychotherapeutic interventions that are best suited for that individual's circumstances. Often, I will use a combination of approaches, sometimes referred to as an "eclectic approach." For specific issues, or areas of stress, time-limited, behaviorally-informed approaches may be indicated. For broader kinds of exploration, and for seeking to resolve deeper-seated challenges and patterns, longer-term, intensive psychotherapy is the approach of choice.

   
   

   Ending Treatment: Just as every individual is complex and unique, so is every course of psychotherapy. The exact duration of treatment is difficult to know. However, the progress and process of therapy is very important to address and to continually discuss with your psychotherapist. Typically, therapy ends when initial "objectives" or goals have been met, and both client and therapist feel that significant progress has been made. If at any time during the treatment relationship, you wish to consult with or transfer to another therapist, I encourage you to raise this in one of our sessions. I am able to help you find a qualified clinician with whom I will be able to consult with your written consent. If at any time you wish to end treatment, you have the right to do so.

   
   

   Because psychotherapy is a different kind of relationship, it is important to discuss your plans to end therapy prior to doing so. This will enable us to review progress made, engage in a process of termination, and make way for your next course of therapy. Though endings in therapy can be difficult, awkward or sometimes reminiscent of past experiences of loss, they are extremely important to discuss and acknowledge. On some occasions, it is the therapist who may choose to end a therapeutic relationship. Some reasons for this are: a client is unable or unwilling to attend therapy regularly, a client's use of behaviors that make therapy ineffectual, the client's need for services I am unable to provide (such as treatment for an area outside of my expertise and training), minimal progress despite appropriate treatment, and/or reasons related to my own circumstances or limitations.

   If you commit violence to me, verbally or physically threaten or harass me, or my family, I reserve the right to terminate your treatment unilaterally and immediately. Failure or refusal to pay for services after a reasonable time is another condition for termination of

   services.

    

1. Fee Related Policies

   Fees: Please contact me to discuss my current fees. Fee will be discussed at the time of our initial phone contact, and confirmed at or before the first consultation hour. My fees are for 50 minute sessions.During the initial consultation session(s), payment is due at the time of service. If we decide to work together, I will bill you at the end of each month (at your last session of the month), and payment, in-full, is due at that time unless other arrangements have been made. Each January, a fee increase will occur. Payment is accepted in cash or check.

   
   

   Insurance: At this time, I have chosen not to join any health insurance panels. However, if your health insurance carrier enables you to choose an "out-of-network" provider (typically found on a PPO plan,), you may be able to seek reimbursement for psychotherapy services with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Upon request, I am able to provide a statement, or "super bill" for submittal to your insurance company that includes: my business/tax information, a working diagnosis, dates of sessions, and payment history of sessions attended. If you intend to use your insurance, I recommend that you contact your plan to ask about your psychotherapy benefits and rates of reimbursement for out-of-network providers. It is your responsibility to verify the specifics of your coverage. Please remember that my services are provided and charged to you, not your insurance company, so you are responsible for payment.

   
   

   Commitment to Care: Based on my commitment to providing care to a diverse group of clients, I have limited availability for lower-fee slots. I encourage you to inquire about lower fees if you are in need of accommodation. If I cannot accommodate your financial situation, I will try my best to assist you in finding appropriate resources.

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2. Confidentiality

   Your privacy in working with/being under the clinical care of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is protected by law, and your disclosures are generally held to be confidential. In the case of these sessions, you hold the legal right of privileged communication, which means that in a court of law, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may not reveal any information your have revealed in session, unless compelled by a court order or a valid subpoena. In general, a mental health professional may not reveal any personally identifiable information about you to anyone, unless you first provide authorization by signing a consent form (exceptions discussed below).

   
   

   For example, in the event that it would be beneficial to discuss aspects of your treatment with a third party (e.g., consultant, referring psychiatrist, physician, etc.), when you would be personally identified, I would first discuss this with you and obtain your written consent. I may occasionally find it helpful to consult about a case with other professionals. In these consultations, I make every effort to protect your identity. The consultant is also legally bound to maintain confidentiality.

   
   

   Exceptions to Confidentiality: There are circumstances when a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may break confidentiality, or is required to break confidentiality. Should such a circumstance arise, I will make every reasonable effort to discuss with you my ethical or legal obligations to disclose confidential information before doing so. Exceptions to confidentiality include, but are not limited to, the following circumstances.

   
   

   Disclosure is required by law as follows:

   1. If I have reasonable suspicion that a minor/child (age 18 and below), elderly person (age 65 and above), or a dependent person (age 18-64) is being abused or neglected, I must report this to the appropriate agency.

   
   

   2. If I believe a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another individual, I am required to take protective actions, which may include notifying the potential victim, notifying the police, and/or seeking appropriate hospitalization for your child.

   
   

   3. If I believe a client is threatening serious bodily harm to him/herself, I may be required to seek hospitalization for the client, or to contact family members or others who can provide protection.

   Disclosure may be required as follows:

   1. If you have not paid your bill for treatment for a long period of time, your name, payment record and last known address may be sent to a collection agency or small claims court.

   
   

   2. In couples or family therapy, confidentiality and privilege do not apply between the couple or family members. At the start of our work together, we will discuss my "secrets policy" or how information will be shared with the couple or family.

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3. Record Keeping

   I am required by both the law and the standards of my profession to maintain appropriate treatment records. These may include diagnosis, therapy goals, progress in treatment, documentation of mandated disclosures (e.g., report of child abuse), and other information. You have a right to review and/or receive a copy of your records unless in my professional opinion, I find that doing so would be likely to cause you substantial harm, endanger your life or physical safety, or pose a significant risk of harm to another individual. Alternately, I can prepare an appropriate summary of these records. Given their inclusion of professional language, these records may be difficult to interpret or understand. If you wish to review your records, I recommend you review them in my presence so we can discuss their content.

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4. Telephone Availability & Emergencies

   Telephone calls are typically returned during normal business hours. I do not answer the phone if I am in a session with another patient, consulting with a colleague or attending a training/meeting, so I am typically not immediately available by telephone. I check my voicemail frequently, however, and return calls as promptly as possible during business days. I generally do not return calls on the weekends or after 8:00 pm on business days, unless the call is urgent, in which case I will return it as soon as reasonably possible. Should you need to speak with me more urgently in-between scheduled sessions, I will bill you on a pro-rated basis for that time. Please note, I do not provide emergency services. In an emergency situation, please call 911, contact your primary care doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. If I am unavailable for an extended period of time (e.g., due to illness, professional conferences or vacation), I will provide the name and number of another clinician whom you may contact if necessary.

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5. Cancellation

   Appointment scheduling involves the reservation of time specifically for you. I will be happy to explain my cancellation and rescheduling policy during your initial consultation.

    

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