Psychological Services
Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personality of the therapist and the client and the problems the client brings. There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit; it calls for an active effort on the part of the client. Psychotherapy can aid you in discovering tools and techniques that can be utilized to improve the quality of your life and your relationships.
Psychotherapy involves change, which may feel threatening not only to you but also to those people close to you. The prospect of giving up old habits, no matter how destructive or painful, can often make you feel very vulnerable. The process can include experiencing feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, and fear and making changes that you did not originally intend. Like any professional service, therapy may not work, and for a relatively small number of people, problems may get worse. Even so, many people find that therapy is worth their discomfort. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. There are no guarantees of what you will experience.
As the client involved in this process, you have the right to ask me about my professional experience, background, and theoretical orientation. As the therapist, I am offering the following information regarding therapeutic relationships in response to frequently asked questions.
The Therapy Process
Initially, we will meet to evaluate the problems that bring you to therapy, and I will give you some initial impressions of the kind of treatment that would be helpful to you. During the first few sessions, you should be thinking about whether you feel comfortable working with me. Because therapy may involve a substantial commitment of time, money, and energy, it is important that you feel comfortable with the therapist you choose. If you decide that you are not comfortable working with me, I would be happy to help you find another therapist. If you do decide to work with me, we will develop goals and a treatment plan together. If we decide that group therapy is appropriate, I will give you a separate group contract, which we will discuss. Once psychotherapy is initiated, we will decide on a regular schedule of meetings; usually at least one session a week. You may discontinue therapy at any time, though I strongly encourage you to discuss it with me first. I can provide you with referrals to other therapists if that seems needed.
Missed or Canceled Appointments
Please notify the administration 24 to 48 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. We will only allow two reschedules per client per month. If no shows or no reschedules we will charge you a full appointment fee.
Insurance companies can’t be billed, and will not pay, for missed or late-canceled appointments., and without exception, missed or canceled appointments will incur the usual charge of $200.00.
Telephone Calls
Your messages are picked up on my confidential voicemail through our certified and highly trained admin staff.
All messages are periodically checked throughout the day and return calls within 24 hours at the earliest convenience. It helps to leave your phone number (even though I have it) and to let me know what time at night I can get back to you.
If your situation is an emergency, please make that clear in your message and call 911. I will return your call as soon as possible.
Emails
Your emails are highly confidential, if you choose to contact me by email, you are assuming all risks regarding the confidentiality of any information you send by email. My communications to you via email will be for scheduling and billing only with help from my administration staff.
Confidentiality Your therapy will include talking over very private things with me. To some extent my ability to help you will depend on how open you can be about yourself – your ideas, feelings, and actions. So that you can feel free to talk openly with a psychologist and so that your right to privacy is protected, the law makes it a psychologist’s duty to keep client information confidential. This means that, with some very limited exceptions (some noted below), I cannot reveal information about you to anyone else or send out information about you without your permission. If we become involved in family or couple’s therapy (where there is more than one client), and you want to have my records of this therapy sent to someone, all of the adults present will have to sign a release. If you ever want me to share information with someone else (for example, your physician), I ask that you sign a written Authorization form that meets certain legal requirements. We will talk about this before you sign the consent. Other situations require only that you provide written, advanced consent. Your signature on this Agreement provides consent for counseling services.
Minors
If you are under sixteen years of age, please be aware that the law may provide your parents the right to examine your treatment records. It is my policy to request an agreement from parents that they agree to give up access to your records. If they agree, I will provide them only with general information about our work together, unless I feel there is a high risk that you will seriously harm yourself or someone else. In this case, I will notify them of my concern. However, before giving them any information, I will, if possible, discuss the matter with you.
Fees
All monies are paid before or after your session, which will be charged to your credit card or e-transfer. All fees start at $200.00 for 60 minutes of counseling services. Fees are non-negotiable.
Cancellation
Our goal is to provide quality services to all our clients on time. No-shows, late arrivals, and cancellations inconvenience not only our providers but our other clients as well. Please be aware of our policy regarding missed appointments.
Appointment Cancellation
When you book your appointment, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to our other clients. To be respectful of your fellow clients, please call Admin at 647 930 7022 as soon as you know you will not be able to make your appointment.
If cancellation is necessary, we require that you call at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. Appointments are in high demand, and your advanced notice will allow another client access to that appointment time.
How to Cancel Your Appointment
If you need to cancel your appointment, please call us at 647 930 7022 between the hours of 8 am to 7 pm. If necessary, you may leave a detailed voicemail message. We will return your call as soon as possible. You may also leave a text message with your full name and time of appointment.
Late Cancellations/No-Shows
A cancellation is considered late when the appointment is cancelled less than 24 to 48 hours, before the appointed time. A no-show is when a client misses an appointment without cancelling. In either case, we will charge the client a full appointment fee.
For new clients’ first appointments, a no-show or late cancellation will result in a full charge of the new client fee.