Fees
Individual and couples therapy sessions are $150.00. Payment or co-payment is due at each session. Regardless of insurance, you agree that you are responsible for payment of all fees for services rendered. Cash, personal checks, and credit cards are acceptable methods of payment, and I can provide a receipt for all fees paid. You will be provided with a Good Faith Estimate showing the cost of services that are reasonably expected in a given time frame and this will be continually updated as treatment progresses.
Insurance
I does not accept insurance at this time. If you wish to use an insurance policy for services, it is your responsibility to contact your insurance company to inquire about specific coverage for out-of-network benefits for mental health services. Please note that most insurance companies require a psychiatric diagnosis in order to reimburse for mental health counseling and this diagnosis will become part of your permanent insurance records. I can be an out-of-network provider with any insurance plans that provide out-of-network coverage. I can provide a superbill for you to mail to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Email Communication
Email communication is only to be used for administrative purposes. That means that email exchanges should be limited to things like setting and changing appointments, billing matters and other related issues. Please do not email about clinical matters because it is not a secure mode of communication. If you need to discuss a clinical matter, please call the practice or wait to discuss it during the next session. The telephone or face-to-face context is much more secure as a mode of communication. Email and phone calls should not be used to communicate in an emergency situation. I make every effort to respond to emails and phone calls within 24 hours, except on weekends and holidays. Please see the Emergencies policy.
Emergencies
I do not provide 24-hour on-call emergency services. You are free to call after hours and leave a message on the voicemail but this option should not be used in emergency situations. Should you have a mental health emergency, please go to your nearest hospital emergency room, call 911, or use one of the other crisis resources available.
Telehealth
Telehealth sessions are an option that can be discussed. If you choose to engage in a telehealth session, you must be in the state of Virginia for the entirety of the session and you must notify me of your location at the beginning of the session. To ensure confidentiality, you must engage in telehealth sessions in a private space where others cannot hear or see you. Telehealth sessions must not be audio or video recorded unless agreed upon in advance. Potential risks to telehealth sessions include interruptions, unauthorized access, and technical difficulties. Please see the Telehealth Informed Consent document for more information.
Cancellations
Please alert me as soon as possible by phone or email if you cannot attend a scheduled appointment. You will be charged the full session fee for missed appointments or those cancelled within 24 hours. Please understand that your insurance will not reimburse you for any portion of a missed appointment and you are responsible for the full fee. In the event that I need to cancel an appointment due to an unforeseen circumstance, you will not be charged, and I will attempt to reschedule as soon as possible. I will attempt to contact you as soon as possible by phone and/or email if I need to cancel an appointment. There may be exceptions to this cancellation policy such as emergencies, illness, or inclement weather. In some circumstances we may elect to have a telehealth visit instead of a regularly scheduled in-person visit.
Confidentiality
All information shared in session is confidential, with these few exceptions: (1) The Code of Virginia requires that psychologists report suspected abuse or neglect of children as well as abuse, neglect, or exploitation of aged or incapacitated adults. (2) For case consultation purposes, psychologists may consult with other therapists, who are required to keep client information confidential. In these circumstances psychologists will de-identify your information as much as possible, removing information such as names, addresses, and dates of birth. (3) Psychologists are obligated to intervene if they believe that you are at risk of harming yourself or someone else. If you are at risk of harming someone else, that person may also be contacted to prevent harm. (4) If presented with a court order, psychologists may be required to disclose information in the presence of a judge; however, psychologists will first assert legal privilege in an effort to protect your confidentiality. (5) Information that may jeopardize the psychologist’s safety will not be kept confidential. (6) In the event of a medical emergency on your part, emergency personnel may have to be provided with some of your information. (7) Children and adolescents must have permission from a parent or legal guardian before receiving services. At the beginning of treatment, we will discuss a plan for sharing information with parents or legal guardians.
Outside of these exceptions, all information you share will be kept confidential. There may be times it may be beneficial to share information with others, including other providers or family members. In these circumstances, you may be asked to sign a release of information form.
COVID-19
When guidance from public health authorities allows and I offer, you can meet in-person. If you attend therapy in-person, you understand:
You can only attend if you are symptom-free (For symptoms, see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
If you have been in the office and tested positive for COVID-19, I may be required to alert other staff or patients without your permission. In these circumstances, I will only share necessary information and will not share any of your personal information.
If you are experiencing symptoms, you can switch to a telehealth appointment or cancel.
You must follow all safety protocols established by the practice, including:
Adhering to appropriate social distancing measures
Wearing a mask, if required
Telling me if you have a high risk of exposure to COVID-19, such as through school, work, or commuting
Telling me if you or someone in your home tests positive for COVID-19
Because the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, your ability to meet in person could change with minimal or no notice. It is possible that you could be exposed to COVID-19 by attending in-person sessions. If a member of the practice tests positive for COVID-19, you will be notified.
Records
I maintain records electronically in a practice management system called TherapyNotes. TherapyNotes is HIPAA-compliant, and has several safety features to protect your personal information including advanced encryption techniques to make your personal information difficult to decode, firewalls to prevent unauthorized access, and a team of professionals monitoring the system for suspicious activity. TherapyNotes keeps records of all log-ins and actions within the system. Records include the following: your name and other identifying information; the presenting problem, purpose of therapy, or diagnosis; the fee arrangement; the date and a clinical summary of each service provided; any test results including raw data; consultation with other providers; releases of information (written or verbal). I am obligated to take every precaution to keep your records secure and confidential, as are my employees. Your records will be maintained for a minimum of 5 years after the last service delivered for adults and a minimum of five years after the age of 18 for minors. I will dispose of records in a manner that maintains confidentiality. You have the right to view any clinical records. Please discuss this with me if you would like to request records.