Practice Policies  

(Updated 2024) 

​

Telephone Accessibility

If you need to contact me between sessions, please leave a voicemail message. While I may not be immediately available, I will make every reasonable effort to return your call within 24 hours.

Face-to-face sessions are strongly preferred. However, phone or telehealth sessions may be used when in-person attendance is not possible due to illness, travel, or other circumstances requiring flexibility.

If you are experiencing a true emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

​

Social Media and Professional Boundaries

To protect your confidentiality and maintain appropriate professional boundaries, I do not accept friend requests, connection requests, or follow requests from current or former clients on any social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn).

Engaging with clients through social media can compromise privacy and blur professional boundaries. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, we can discuss them during a session.

​

Electronic Communication

Electronic communication (including email, text messaging, or other digital platforms) cannot be guaranteed to be fully secure or confidential.

These methods may be used for scheduling, cancellations, or brief administrative matters only. Please do not use electronic communication for clinical concerns, therapeutic content, or emergencies, as immediate response cannot be guaranteed.

If you choose to communicate electronically, you acknowledge and accept the associated privacy risks.

​

Telehealth / Telemedicine Consent

Electronic services, including phone calls, video sessions, email communication, and other digital platforms, may be considered telemedicine.

If telehealth services are used in your care, you acknowledge the following:

• You may withdraw consent for telehealth at any time without affecting your right to future care.

• Telehealth sessions are subject to the same confidentiality protections as in-person services, within the limits of available technology.

• You have the right to request access to records related to telehealth sessions, subject to reasonable administrative fees.

• No information, recordings, or images from telehealth sessions will be shared with third parties or researchers without your explicit written consent.

Potential benefits include increased accessibility, convenience, and continuity of care.
Potential risks include technical disruptions, delays, and limitations in observing non-verbal cues that may be more apparent in person.

​

Confidentiality and Legal Limits

All client communications and records are treated as confidential and protected by law and ethical guidelines, except in the following situations:

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or dependent adult

• Credible risk of serious harm to self or others

• Court order, subpoena, or other legal requirement

When appropriate and legally permissible, efforts will be made to inform you before disclosure occurs.

​

Minors

If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian may have certain legal rights to access portions of your treatment information.

Efforts will be made to balance legal guardian rights with the minor’s need for confidentiality in order to support effective treatment. Expectations regarding confidentiality will be discussed at the beginning of care.

​

Termination of Therapy

Ending therapy is an important process and will be handled thoughtfully whenever possible.

Therapy may be terminated by the clinician if:

• Services are no longer clinically beneficial

• There are repeated missed appointments or lack of engagement

• There are unpaid balances or administrative concerns

• Ethical or safety concerns require referral to another provider

If termination becomes necessary, reasons will be discussed in advance when possible, and appropriate referrals will be provided.

If no appointment is scheduled for three consecutive weeks without prior arrangement, the therapeutic relationship may be considered discontinued for ethical and clinical reasons.

​

Fees, Scheduling, and Attendance

Appointments are reserved specifically for you. Consistent attendance is important for effective treatment.

Missed appointments or cancellations with insufficient notice (typically less than 24 hours, unless otherwise agreed upon) may result in a fee.

Repeated missed sessions may result in a review of ongoing services.

​

Technology and Communication Risks

While reasonable safeguards are used, electronic communication and telehealth services involve inherent risks, including:

• Technical failures or interruptions

• Unauthorized access in rare circumstances

• Reduced ability to observe non-verbal communication

By engaging in these services, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

​

Emergency Situations

This practice does not provide emergency or crisis services.

If you are experiencing a psychiatric or medical emergency, you agree to:

• Call 911, or

• Go to the nearest emergency department, or

• Contact a local crisis hotline

​

Acknowledgment of Policies

At the time of services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the policies outlined in this document.