Practice Policies
SESSIONS:
Sessions are 50 minutes in length, and are scheduled on a weekly basis. It’s important, especially in the beginning that we see each other often to get to know each other. Therapy success rates are directly linked to the strength of the alliance between the therapist and the client. Later, we may decide to increase or decrease our session frequency, based upon your needs and goals.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Please cancel or reschedule 24 hours in advance of scheduled sessions. Client will be charged the full fee for sessions cancelled with less than 24 hour notice, unless the session is rescheduled for the same week. This is necessary because a time commitment is made to you and is held exclusively for you. If you are late for a session, that session time may be shortened dependent on the therapist schedule.
AVAILABILITY BETWEEN SESSIONS:
Occasionally, we may need to connect between sessions. I cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through email or texting, so I reserve communication via email or texting for issues around scheduling and logistics only.
If need support outside of our regularly scheduled sessions, please call me. If we need to speak for longer than 20 minutes, I do charge for a session and will make myself available to you at that time for a full 50 minutes. My business hours are Monday, and I try to return phone calls within 24 hours. Non-urgent matters may take 48 hours. I do not take calls on Sundays or Mondays, unless specifically arranged. If you need to contact me between sessions, please leave a message on my voice mail. I am often not immediately available; however, I will attempt to return your call within 24 hours. Please note that Face-to-face sessions are highly preferable to phone sessions. However, in the event that you are out of town, sick, or need additional support, phone sessions are available. If a true emergency situation arises, please call 911 or any local emergency room.
COVID -19 LIABILITY
The World Health Organization has declared the novel Corona virus (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic. Due to its capacity to transmit from person-to-person through respiratory droplets, the government has set recommendations, guidelines, and some prohibitions which Axis Mundi Center for Mental Health adheres to and complies with, acknowledging its status as an exempted and essential work force. In consideration of participation in the foregoing, all clients will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION:
In person sessions are preferred because therapy is most effective 1:1. Services by electronic means, including but not limited to telephone communication, the Internet, and e-mail is considered telemedicine by the State of California. Under the California Telemedicine Act of 1996, telemedicine is broadly defined as the use of information technology to deliver medical services and information from one location to another. If you and I chose to use information technology for some or all of your treatment, you need to understand that: (1) You retain the option to withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting the right to future care or treatment or risking the loss or withdrawal of any program benefits to which you would otherwise be entitled. (2) All existing confidentiality protections are equally applicable. (3) Your access to all medical information transmitted during a telemedicine consultation is guaranteed, and copies of this information are available for a reasonable fee. (4) Dissemination of any of your identifiable images or information from the telemedicine interaction to researchers or other entities shall not occur without your consent. (5) There are potential risks, consequences, and benefits of telemedicine. Potential benefits include, but are not limited to, improved communication capabilities, providing convenient access to up-to-date information, consultations, support, reduced costs, improved quality, change in the conditions of practice, improved access to therapy, better continuity of care, and reduction of lost work time and travel costs.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Confidentiality is a valued and primary understanding between a therapist and a client, and I observe and maintain professional standards in this regard. Your confidentiality of the and your material will be protected and upheld, unless there is a legal or ethical standard that demands differently. Primarily (but not exclusively) these arise when:
· The client requests and consents to the release of information themselves.
· There is a reasonable suspicion of child, elder, and/or dependent adult abuse (including the downloading of purchase of, and/or viewing of child pornography.)
· There is a clear and immediate danger to the client or to someone else from the client (including the self).
· The client is involved in a legal dispute where the mental or emotional well-being of the client is under review.
· The client or the therapist become involved in a legal dispute against each other.
· The therapist is court-ordered to do so.
· The Patriot Act or Homeland and/or National Security privileges are invoked.
CONSULTATION:
As part of my BBS registration requirements, I receive many hours of professional consultation, both individually and in group formats. This is required by legal and ethical standards in the field, and means that confidentiality extends to these other formats, as well. The goal of consultation is to assess and ensure the quality and efficacy of your treatment. As much as possible, your identifying details will remain confidential. Sometimes, when different members of the same family are seen by therapists’ in the same agency, each therapist may have access to information regarding the other family members. This is sometimes useful when a coordinated treatment approach is requested or clinically indicated, but also something that can be avoided as necessary.
MINORS:
If you are a minor, your parents may be legally entitled to some information about your therapy. I will discuss with you and your parents what information is appropriate for them to receive and which issues are more appropriately kept confidential.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND SOCIAL MEDIA:
Your confidentiality is critical, so we must minimize the potential for dual relationships. Because of this, I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). I believe that adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up when we meet and we can talk more about it.
ABOUT MY QUALIFICATIONS:
I received my masters degree in Counseling Psychology from JFK University and I’m a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). I’m currently an employee at Axis Mundi Center for Mental Health, a 501c3 non-profit offering therapy and counseling services.
TERMINATION:
Ending relationships can be difficult. Therefore, it is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure. The appropriate length of the termination depends on the length and intensity of the treatment. I may terminate treatment after appropriate discussion with you and a termination process if I determine that the psychotherapy is not being effectively used or if you are in default on payment. I will not terminate the therapeutic relationship without first discussing and exploring the reasons and purpose of terminating. If therapy is terminated for any reason or you request another therapist, I will provide you with a list of qualified psychotherapists. You may also choose someone on your own or from another referral source. Should you fail to schedule an appointment for three consecutive weeks, unless other arrangements have been made in advance, for legal and ethical reasons, I must consider the professional relationship discontinued.