Welcome
Thank you for choosing Austin Women's Counseling. Counseling is a major decision and you may have many questions. This document will provide you with information on policies, laws, and your legal rights.
Services Offered
Talk-therapy is typically most appropriate for those seeking individual and family therapy. Individual therapy consists of one fifty-minute session. At times, family therapy can consist of one seventy five-minute session. Therapy is usually offered once a week or as determined by the therapist and client. Initially, information is gathered about various aspects of the client(s) difficulty, which may include extensive personal history. The therapist and client(s) will engage in a unique approach to treatment that caters to individual goals and therapeutic preferences. An assessment or analysis will be made, and solutions are generated and implemented by the client. Progress depends on many factors that include motivation, client effort, and other circumstances such as interventions with family, friends, and other associates. Ultimately, counseling is a joint effort between the counselor and client, the results of which cannot be guaranteed.
Scheduling
Appointments are scheduled in advance and the client must attend at least 75% of scheduled sessions. If the client(s) cannot attend a session, the client(s) will notify the therapist at least 24 business hours in advance, when possible. Business hours means 8am-8pm Monday through Friday excluding federal holidays. Scheduled sessions secure the time only for that client and may not be able to get refilled on shorter notice. As such, the client will be charged half the session cost for the first session cancelled with less than 24 business hours notice and full price of subsequent sessions without proper notice, with the exception of an agreed upon emergency. For example, if an appointment is at 3pm on Thursday, then it would need to be canceled by 3pm on Wednesday. Similarly, if an appointment was scheduled at 3pm on a Monday, a cancellation would need to be done by 3pm Friday. When possible, these charges may be avoided if you can reschedule within the same week if there is an opening. This cannot be guaranteed. These charges must be paid prior to meeting with your therapist again or at the next session and the credit card on file may be used. By signing below, the client gives their permission to use the card on file, if applicable, to collect these fees. Payment is due at the time of the session by cash, check, or credit card. If the client(s) are more than one session delinquent with regard to fee payment, termination or suspension of services may result.
Confidentiality
Please note that everything stated in the counseling relationship is confidential, unless a client states there is a danger or serious threat to themselves or others, reports child abuse, or discloses abuse to the elderly, disabled or incarcerated. The therapist is required by law to report this information to keep threatened individuals safe. The profession also requires case notes and treatment plans. This is documentation about the counseling session. If law subpoenas the client(s) file, the therapist may have to submit it to the court. Supervision or consultation of the client(s) case may also be needed. Please know your therapist will take every precaution to ensure and protect the client(s) privacy. At times, the client may choose to email the therapist about appointments or provide information. Please note that email connections are unsecured and the information may be viewed by a third party. Your therapist will make every effort to keep any information sent electronically secure and confidential. At times, clients ask if their therapist can intervene with the court on their behalf. As a policy, this therapist wantsto protect the integrity of the therapeutic relationship and its privacy. As such, appearance in court or providing documentation is strongly discouraged. There is a minimum retainer of $1500 per day for any time spent should this be required. If the law subpoenas the client(s) file, the therapist may have to submit it to the court. Preparation of documentation is $200 per hour and will be billed accordingly to the card on file.
Final Note
There are times when the client may forget payment or cancel their appointments less than 24 business hours in advance as stated above. In such cases, it is helpful to keep a credit card on file to avoid disruption in treatment. If you opt to have a card on file, you will be sent a text from Ivy Pay, a HIPAA compliant payment service for therapists. Your card will be stored following the first session and charges initiated by the therapist thereafter.
If you need to reach your therapist, please do so by leaving a confidential voicemail at 512.981.5638. Messages are checked once daily. If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance, please call the 24-hour hotline at 472-HELP (4357) or 911.
Lastly, the clinicians at Austin Women's Counseling take this profession very seriously and strive to provide the highest quality of care to all clients. If you feel that you have been unprofessionally mistreated or experienced treatment beyond ethical bounds, please allow your therapist to have a conversation with you about it so that we can explore a repair as well as how to improve and provide the best quality care for other clients. If you'd like to file your complaint to the Licensing Board in Texas you can contact the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council at 1-800-821-3205 or email enforcement@bhec.texas.gov to request the appropriate form or obtain more information. Mailed complaints may be sent to:
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
Attn: Enforcement Division
George H.W. Bush State Office Building
1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300
Austin, TX 78701
I certify that I have read and consent to the above policy and consent to treatment.