DOCUMENTS FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Your appointment time is designated for you; obviously I cannot schedule someone else at the same time as your appointment.  Should you miss your appointment and fail to notify me 24 hours before your scheduled time, your “slot” cannot be filled.  For that reason, there is a $50.00 fee for non-cancellation charged to you.  Any additional fees will be expected to be paid by the next therapy session, as it will be added to your usual fee.
Unless other arrangements are made, your case will be formally closed should I not hear from you within 30 days following your last appointment.

All information about our sessions (including the fact that you are or have been in therapy) will be kept strictly confidential in accordance with the Ethical Principles of the American Psychological Association and is protected by law. Your communications with me will become part of a clinical record of treatment, and it is referred to as Protected Health Information (PHI).  Your PHI will be kept in a file stored in a locked cabinet in my locked office.  However, there are some important extenuating circumstances when the law requires that confidential information be released to others without your permission.  These exceptions are listed below

• If you express serious intent to inflict life-threatening harm upon yourself, I am required to seek hospitalization for you or contact a family member to help keep you safe
• If you make a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim, I may have to contact the potential victim and/or the authorities to intervene
• I am obligated by law to report all cases of abuse towards children, the elderly or disabled person who may require protection.
• If I am ordered by a judge to disclose information.  In such a case, my license does provide me with the ability to uphold what is legally termed “privileged communication.” Privileged communication is your right as a client to have a confidential relationship with a therapist.  Georgia has a very good track record in respecting this legal right. If for some unusual reason a judge were to order the disclosure of your private information, this order can be appealed.  I cannot guarantee that the appeal will be sustained, but I will do everything in my power to keep what you say confidential.  
• Many insurance companies require clinical documentation including treatment plans, clinical diagnosis, progress notes or an entire record, which becomes part of your permanent record.  You must sign a consent form before I can release such information.  The insurance company is responsible for maintaining the utmost confidentiality of your records.  However, I cannot guarantee or be held responsible for what they may do with the information provided to them.  

I may not be immediately available by telephone as I may be in a session with a client. I monitor my voicemail system frequently. I will make every effort to return your call as soon as possible, and typically return calls within 24 hours unless it is a weekend or holiday.
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If you feel that you can’t wait for a return call, you can contact the Georgia Crisis Line (1-800-715-4225), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.