Policies and Procedures policy and procedures trauma therapy

• Scheduling Sessions: Appointments are scheduled based on availability. If you are a new client, an intake session is required to discuss your history, goals for therapy, and the treatment approach that best fits your needs.
• Frequency of Sessions: Therapy sessions typically occur weekly or biweekly, but the frequency may change depending on your progress and treatment needs. We will discuss and adjust the frequency as necessary.

• Cancellation Policy: I understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes changes to your schedule are necessary. However, in order to maintain the integrity of my schedule and ensure that I can provide services to all of my clients, I require 24 hours' notice for any cancellations or rescheduling requests.
• Late Cancellation Fee: If you cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged a late cancellation fee of $100. This fee is not covered by insurance and will be billed directly to you.
• No-Show Policy: If you miss an appointment without any notice (a “no-show”), you will also be charged the full amount of your session. Please understand that missed appointments prevent me from providing services to others who may be on a waitlist or in need of care.
• Frequent Cancellations or No-Shows: If you cancel or no-show two consecutive sessions without sufficient notice, it may impact your eligibility for future appointments. Continued frequent cancellations may result in your being unable to schedule recurring sessions. In such cases, I will provide you with referrals to other providers or clinics with more flexible scheduling options.

• In-Network Provider: I am an in-network provider with certain insurance plans. To check if your insurance is covered, you can verify your benefits and coverage using the following link:
  Check Your Insurance Coverage.
• Accepted Insurance Plans: If I am an in-network provider with your insurance, your copays and other payment details will be determined by your specific plan. I will help guide you through the process if necessary.
• Out-of-Network Payments: For clients whose insurance is not in-network, I can provide a superbill (a detailed receipt) for you to submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. The responsibility for submitting and following up with insurance rests with you.
• Accepted Forms of Payment: I accept payments via credit card, debit card, or checks. Payment is expected at the time of service unless prior arrangements have been made.
• Superbill for Insurance Reimbursement: I will provide a superbill upon request. This document will include all necessary information (such as session dates, diagnosis codes, and session details) for insurance submission.

• Crisis Services: Please be aware that I do not offer crisis intervention services. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or need immediate support, I encourage you to contact one of the following resources, which provide immediate assistance and higher levels of care when necessary:

Crisis Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (Available 24/7 for confidential support)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (Available 24/7)
• Emergency Room or 911: If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Prevention): 1-866-488-7386
• SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Abuse & Mental Health): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1 for veterans or text 838255
• Higher-Level Care: If it becomes apparent during our work together that you may benefit from a higher level of care, such as inpatient care or intensive outpatient programs (IOP), I will provide referrals to appropriate treatment centers or specialists that can meet your needs.

• Privacy and Confidentiality: All sessions are strictly confidential, in accordance with HIPAA guidelines, unless otherwise required by law (such as in cases of child abuse, harm to self or others, or court orders). If you have any concerns regarding confidentiality, please feel free to discuss them with me.
• Electronic Communications: For your privacy, please avoid sharing sensitive personal or medical information through email or text messaging. We use secure platforms for communication when needed.

• Risk of Harm to Self or Others:
  
• Imminent risk of harm to yourself (e.g., suicidal ideation with plans or intent): If I believe you are at significant risk of harming yourself, I am ethically and legally required to take appropriate steps to ensure your safety. This may involve contacting emergency services or family members to prevent harm.
• Risk of harm to others (e.g., threats of violence or harm to another person): If you express a serious and imminent threat to harm someone else, I am required to breach confidentiality to warn the intended victim(s) and/or notify the authorities to prevent harm.
• Child Abuse or Neglect:
  
• If you disclose information regarding the abuse or neglect of a child, I am legally obligated to report it to the appropriate authorities (e.g., Child Protective Services) to protect the welfare of the child, even if it means breaching confidentiality.
• Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse:
  
• Similar to child abuse, if there is a disclosure or suspicion of abuse or neglect of an elderly person or dependent adult, I am required to report it to the appropriate authorities (e.g., Adult Protective Services).
• Court Orders or Legal Proceedings:
  
• In some cases, I may be compelled to disclose confidential information as part of a court order or legal proceedings. For example, if you are involved in litigation and the court orders the release of your therapy records, I am legally required to comply.
• If you have signed a release of information to allow me to share your records with another party (e.g., another healthcare provider or insurance company), I will disclose the information only as permitted by your written consent.
• Health Care Provider Collaboration:
  
• In certain situations, I may need to communicate with other healthcare professionals involved in your care (e.g., psychiatrist, medical doctor, etc.) to coordinate treatment. This will be done with your consent unless there is an emergency where you cannot give consent.
• Treatment-Related Supervision or Consultation:
  
• As a clinician, I may seek consultation or supervision from other licensed mental health professionals to ensure the highest quality of care. However, any information shared during consultations is done without identifying you personally or using any specific details that would breach confidentiality.
• Substance Abuse and DUI Reporting:
  
• In some jurisdictions, if a client is undergoing therapy as part of a court-ordered program for substance abuse, certain disclosures may be required. This can include reporting to the court or probation officer that a client is in compliance or has failed to attend required sessions.
• Similarly, for clients with DUI charges who are mandated to attend therapy, certain disclosures about attendance and progress may be required.

• Minimal Disclosure: If there is a situation where a breach of confidentiality is required, I will disclose only the minimum necessary information to address the immediate concern.
• Client Notification: If I am required to breach confidentiality, I will make an effort to notify you about the breach, unless doing so would place you or others at further risk of harm.
• Exceptions to Consent: In the case of certain exceptions (e.g., child abuse, imminent risk to self or others), I do not need your consent to make a report. However, I will discuss with you the reasoning behind the breach whenever appropriate and possible.

1. Imminent risk of harm to self or others (suicide, violence).
2. Mandatory reporting of child or elder abuse or neglect.
3. Court orders or legal obligations (subpoenas, legal disputes).
4. Collaboration with other healthcare providers (with your consent).
5. Supervision or consultation with other professionals (maintaining confidentiality).
6. Substance abuse-related disclosures as required by law.

• Communication Policy: I encourage you to discuss any thoughts, feelings, or concerns during our scheduled sessions. For ongoing concerns between appointments, I am available by email or phone for non-urgent matters, but please note that responses to emails or messages may take 24-48 hours depending on my schedule.
• Boundaries: Please understand that therapy is a space where we focus on your personal growth and mental health. In order to maintain professional boundaries, I do not engage in social media or personal interactions outside of our therapy sessions.

• Referrals: If at any point during our work together it becomes apparent that another therapeutic approach or specialist might be better suited to your needs, I will provide you with appropriate referrals. I also provide referrals if you need more specialized services such as family therapy or psychiatric support.
• Ending Therapy: Therapy is a collaborative process, and the decision to end therapy is mutual. If you decide to discontinue therapy, we will have a final session to reflect on the work we’ve done together and discuss any steps for continued growth outside of our sessions. If I believe that therapy is no longer benefiting you, I will discuss my concerns with you and offer referrals for further care.

• In-Person Sessions: If you are coming to my office for an in-person session, please note that I follow all recommended health and safety protocols, including disinfecting surfaces and practicing good hygiene. If you feel unwell or have been exposed to illness, please let me know ahead of time, and we can switch to a telehealth session.
• Telehealth Sessions: I offer telehealth (online) therapy for clients who are unable to attend in-person sessions. Please ensure that you have a stable internet connection and a private, quiet space for our video sessions to maintain confidentiality.

  Ongoing Learning: As part of my commitment to providing the best care possible, I regularly participate in continuing education and professional development. This ensures that I stay current with the latest research, methodologies, and treatment options. 

• Your Rights: As a client, you have the right to participate in the development of your treatment plan, ask questions about your therapy, and request a change in treatment if you feel it is necessary. You also have the right to discontinue therapy at any time.
• Your Responsibilities: It is your responsibility to attend scheduled sessions, communicate openly about your progress or concerns, and pay for services rendered as agreed upon. Active participation in the therapeutic process is essential to your success in therapy.