Office Policies

Meeting with Clients During the Pandemic

I have been meeting with clients remotely since April 6th by video or phone and plan to do so until it is safe to meet in person. I am closely monitoring Solano County's recommendations on how to conduct business safely.

Email and Boundaries

I use email for making/modifying appointments and invoicing. While working remotely, I have also used email to send attachments that I would normally give to a client in person such as treatment plans and homework. I expect clients to refrain from emailing me therapy content and do not use email as a processing tool. Email may not be completely secure so it's best to share content during sessions. Email also leaves room for miscommunication, which can complicate the therapeutic relationship. You have the right to ask me to send attachments via Doxy (my confidential telehealth platform) or USPS or not at all if it makes you feel more comfortable.

The 50-minute therapy hour is a boundary that prevents dual relationships and confusion about my role as your therapist. It's important to refrain from contact with me outside of sessions, which not only includes therapy content exchanges but also social media. The defined boundary of therapist and client gives you the opportunity and freedom to come as you are and helps me remain objective.

There is the rare occasion when I run into a client at an event or on the street. If this happens, you're welcome to say hello or not. I will never initiate out of respect for your confidentiality and our therapeutic boundary so please don't take it personally if I see you and don't say hello.

Limitations of Confidentiality

Your confidentiality is of the utmost important to me and I'm required by law to break that confidentiality under certain circumstances. These circumstances are:

Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder or dependent adult.
A court order for your health records.
A threat to harm yourself or someone else.
Insurance companies that may need access to your health records to justify treatment and/or file claims.

Please know that I will always inform you of my plan to break confidentiality and whom I'm breaking it to. I'm happy to discuss this more in session if you have questions or concerns.

Insurance, Invoicing and Your Privacy

I provide monthly statements if it helps you get reimbursed for the cost of therapy by your insurance company. I send them out on the last day of the month. The invoice includes a diagnosis code as most insurances need this to process your claim. Please note that the invoice and diagnosis can act as a type of individual contract with your insurance provider and they can request copies of your mental health records to justify treatment and/or reimbursement. If this happens, I will alert you before talking to your insurance company.

Office Hours and Emergencies

If you think you are having a mental health emergency, please call 9-1-1 or take yourself to the nearest emergency room. My business hours are 9AM to 7PM Monday through Thursday and I return voicemail and email messages within 48 hours. Do not rely solely on me getting back to you if you're experiencing a mental health emergency or relationship crisis. If you need support after hours, we can talk about available resources and create an emergency plan in session.

Cancellation Policy

I have a 24-hour cancellation policy and charge the agreed-upon fee for late cancellations. Please note that insurance companies do not reimburse for late cancellations and missed appointments.

Payments

Payment is due the day of the appointment. Late payments place me in a dual relationship with you as your creditor, which may interfere with our therapeutic relationship. I accept cash, checks and major credit cards through a third party app called IvyPay.