Policies

Confidentiality

All sessions are confidential. Clients determine whether information may be released to anyone else, and give permission by signing a time-limited release. There are exceptions to this rule when child abuse or abuse of a developmentally disabled adult has occurred within the last 7 years, or in life-threatening situations where the client poses a clear and present danger to self or others, or is unable to provide minimum life-sustaining self-care. The therapist will take steps necessary to secure the safety of the client or others. Sometimes I will consult with another therapist who would also be ethically bound to confidentiality. I will limit what I share to that which is necessary to improve the treatment of my clients.

Appointments and Fees

Consistency in keeping appointments is integral to the counseling process. Most commonly you will have a 53-minute appointment, unless a longer period of time would be beneficial.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let me know 48 hours before the appointment, or you will be charged for the session. There is a $120 fee for late cancellation.

The fee for a 53-minute hour is $175, and is paid at each session. I accept cash, checks and credit card.

I offer an income-based sliding scale to clients on a case by case basis.

Insurance

I accept Premera Blue Cross and Lifewise Insurance, and bill them directly.

I have been accepted as an out-of-network provider for most other major insurances. Before beginning treatment, contact your insurance company to verify coverage of the services I provide. Be prepared to pay for my services at each session. When requested, I will prepare a statement for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Emergencies

I check my voicemail frequently. If you cannot reach me in an emergency between sessions, please call the Crisis Clinic at 206.461.3222.

I will be concerned about you if this becomes necessary, and would like to hear from you as soon as possible. Please continue to try to contact me, letting me know how I can best reach you.

If there is an emergency during our work together, or I become concerned about your personal safety, or if I am concerned that you might harm someone else, I am required by law and by the rules of my profession to contact someone close to you. On the Client Identification Form, please provide contact information for the person I should contact in an emergency.