Entering therapy is a big decision and it is important to have all of the information
you need for this choice. I typically see clients in 50 minute sessions, usually one time a week. The schedule generally remains
the same each week (for example, each Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m.) but any session may be changed or canceled with 24 hours
notice.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
It
is important to talk about confidentiality for a moment because this is a key part of the therapeutic process. Please be aware
that EVERYTHING disclosed to a therapist, even the fact that the individual is in therapy, is confidential. There are just
a few exceptions to this and I want to mention these exceptions which ALL therapists share so that you may feel comfortable
in the therapeutic process. The exceptions to confidentiality occur when an individual is:
1. A Danger to self
or to others. Please Note: if a client is DEFINITELY going to hurt him/herself or someone else, I must report this, but simply
having thoughts or desires of hurting yourself or someone else is NOT reportable and therefore, will be held confidential.
2. When the therapist has a reasonable
suspicion of Child, Elder (65 or older) or Dependent Adult Abuse, or
3. By Court Order or in Other Limited Circumstances.
(Note: we will talk about these very limited circumstances should they seem relevant; we would do this in the initial session.)
Please note that if you are uncertain if something may be kept confidential, I encourage you to call and ask me; if
I do not know who you are, there is no way I can make a report. Also, even if you are not considering entering into therapy
with me, I am willing to answer questions regarding confidentiality and offer you a referral to another qualified therapist.
OFFICE POLICIES:
The client may be an Individual (you), a Couple (you and your partner) or a Family. If the client
is a couple, my Secrets Policy will be in place; we will talk about this during the initial visit.
Other policies
include showing up on time to each session and respecting the time the session ends. Also, I have a 24-hour clean and sober
policy, which means each client is expected to come to session sober, and to have abstained from substances for the 24 hours
prior to session.
Payment is expected after each session. If ability to pay becomes an issue, please notify me
as soon this becomes clear and we will try to make other arrangements. Payment of fees will be discussed prior to the first
session.
I encourage you to ask any questions about the office policies prior to the first session (by phone) and
at any time during the course of therapy.
