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Privacy & Policy

Informed Consent

Welcome to my practice. This document contains important information about my professional services and business policies. It also contains summary information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that provides privacy protections and patient rights about the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information (PHI) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations. Although these documents are long and sometimes complex, it is very important that you understand them. When you sign this document, it represents agreement and understanding. I'm happy to discuss any questions concerning this document.

Counseling is a relationship that works in part because of clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. As a client in counseling, it is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities. You should also be aware of the legal limitations to those rights. As your I have corresponding responsibilities to you. These rights and responsibilities are described in the following sections.

Goals of Counseling

There can be many goals for the counseling relationship. Some of these will be long term goals such as improving the quality of your life, learning to live with mindfulness, and improved self- concept. Others may be more immediate goals such as decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms, developing healthy relationships, changing behavior or decreasing/ending drug use. Whatever the goals for counseling, they will be set by the client according to their personal goals. As your counselor, I may make suggestions on how to reach that goal but you decide where you want to go.

Risks/Benefits of Counseling

Counseling is an intensely personal process which can bring unpleasant memories or emotions to the surface. There are no guarantees that counseling will work for you. Clients can sometimes make improvements only to go backwards after a time. Progress may happen slowly. Counseling requires a very active effort on your part. In order to be most successful, you will have to work on things we discuss outside of sessions.

There are many benefits to counseling. Counseling can help you develop coping skills, make behavioral changes, reduce symptoms of mental health disorders, improve the quality of your life, learn to manage anger, learn to live in the present and many other advantages.

Legal Limitations of Health Coaching

As a Health Coach I assist my client in achieving better health. I support and encourage my clients with the health decisions they make. I educate clients concerning healthy choices and guide their transformations by helping them make new and better choices for their daily well-being. We may talk about importance of sleep, proper nutrition, hydration, link between mental health and physical health. How to use nutrition to address mental health concerns. As a Christian Counselor I emphasize the whole person including spirit, however that conversation is completely optional and had only if the client is interested. We also discuss how lifestyle choices elicit different physiological responses.  We discuss how everyday shifts may support their efforts to manage chronic health concerns. I provide emotional support, motivation, and various skill building activities to help my clients reach their wellness goals. Out of concern for my clients, I do not seek to override their physicians’ advice. I provide information that is verifiable, and clients are encouraged to share information with their physician as they see fit. I assist you along your journey, by providing education. I do not provide a medical diagnosis, nor do I interpret or order labs.  

Appointments

Appointments are usually 50-60 minutes in duration, once per week at a time we agree on, although some sessions may be more or less frequent as needed. The time scheduled for your appointment is assigned to you and you alone. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I ask that you provide 24 hours’ notice. If you miss a session without canceling, or cancel with less than 24 -hour notice, you may be required to pay for the session. It is important to note that insurance companies do not provide reimbursement for cancelled sessions; therefore, you are financially responsible for the cancelation fee. In addition, you are responsible for coming to your session on time; if you are late, your appointment will still need to end on time.

Confidentiality

I make every effort to keep your personal information private. If you wish to have information released, you are required to sign a consent form before such information will be released. There are some limitations to confidentiality to which you need to be aware. I may consult with a supervisor or other professional counselor in order to give you the best service. In the event I consult with another counselor, no identifying information such as your name or other personal information would be released. I am required by law to release information when the client poses a risk to themselves or others and in cases of abuse of a child, elder, or other vulnerable persons. In case of a court order or subpoena, I may be required to release certain information. In such a case, I will limit the release to only what is necessary by law.

Confidentiality and Group Therapy

The nature of group counseling makes it difficult to maintain confidentiality. If you choose to participate in group therapy, be aware that I cannot guarantee other group members will maintain your confidentiality. However, I will make every effort to maintain your confidentiality by reminding group members frequently of the importance of confidentiality. I also have the right to remove any group member should I discover said member has violated confidentiality.

Confidentiality and Technology

Some clients may choose to use technology in their counseling sessions. This includes but is not limited to online counseling via Zoom, telephone, email, text or chat. Due to the nature of online counseling, there is always the possibility that unauthorized persons may attempt to discover your personal information. I will take every precaution to safeguard your information, however, cannot guarantee that unauthorized access to electronic communications could not occur. Please be advised to take precautions with regard to authorized and unauthorized access to any technology used in counseling sessions. Be aware of friends, family members, significant others or co-workers who may have access to your computer, phone or other technology used in your counseling sessions.

Record Keeping

Your counselor may keep records of your counseling sessions and a treatment plan which includes goals for your counseling. These records are kept to ensure a direction to your sessions and continuity in service. They will not be shared except with respect to the limits to confidentiality discussed in the Confidentiality section. Should the client wish to have their records released, they are required to sign a release of information which specifies what information is to be released and to whom. Records will be kept for at least 7 years but may be kept for longer. Records will be kept either electronically or in a paper file and stored in a locked cabinet in the counselor’s office.

Professional Fees

You are responsible for paying at the time of your session unless prior arrangements have been made. Payment may be made securely via this website. If you refuse to pay your debt, I reserve the right to use an attorney or collection agency to secure payment.

If you anticipate being involved in a court case, I recommend that we discuss this fully before you waive your right to confidentiality. If your case requires my participation, you will be expected to pay for the professional time required which may be quite costly. Due to the unpredictable nature of the courts schedule, I am required to set aside an entire workday to be present for your case. Minimum fee for court appearance starts at $1200 with or without a subpoena

Sliding scale fees are not guaranteed and only available at the discretion of  your counselor.


Contacting Me

I am often not immediately available by telephone. I do not answer my phone when I am with clients or otherwise unavailable. At these times, you may leave a message on my confidential voice mail and your call will be returned as soon as possible, but it may take a day or two for non-urgent matters. If you feel you cannot wait for a return call or it is an emergency situation, go to your local hospital or call 911.

Email


Your privacy and confidentiality are of the utmost importance. Never in any instance do I forward or sell your personal information.

You have the right to refuse to share your email address. I may use your email address to periodically check in with clients who have ended therapy suddenly. I may use your email address to send newsletters with valuable therapeutic information such as tips for depression or relaxation techniques. I may have other information that I may forward through email that may be helpful and related to mental health and wellness. 

If you would like to opt out of email correspondence, please indicate this on your intake paperwork.


Consent to Counseling

Your signature below indicates that you have read this Agreement and agree to its terms.

Client Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Client Name _________________________________________________________________ Date:___________________ 


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