Contact Information:
- Use the above number and extension to leave a message for me 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. I will get back to you as promptly as possible, however, I do not usually check messages over night, on off-days or holidays.
- In the event of an emergency or crisis during the day or overnight hours, the Otter Creek Associates answering service at (802) 860-8173 may be able to contact me.
- If you are in a crisis, do one of the following:
- Call 911
- Call 988 National Suicide Crisis Hotline
- Call the Howard Center First Call for Chittenden County Crisis line at (802) 488-7777
- Go to your local hospital Emergency Department
Appointment Cancellations and Appointments Missed without Prior Notice:
- I require a minimum of 24 hours notice in the event that an appointment is not kept.
- Appointments not cancelled with 24 hours notice, and appointments missed without prior notice, are billed at the full rate of $150 per hour. Please note that insurance will not reimburse for missed appointments.
- Clients may utilize voice mail, at the number listed above, 24 hours a day, to leave a message of the necessity to cancel. Each message contains date/time information.
Length of Sessions:
- Psychotherapy sessions are approximately 50 minutes.
Behaviors/Conditions that Are Cause for Termination of the Therapist/Client Contract:
- Disruptive, abusive, threatening or violent language or behavior
- Bringing weapons into the building
- Impairment with a substance during client/therapist meetings
- Audio or video recordings of sessions
- Multiple late cancellations or No-Shows
- A condition not treated by this clinician or that is beyond the scope of private practice
Miscellaneous Charges:
- Please be advised that therapist time for client-related professional services (such as report writing, phone consultation exceeding 10 minutes with clients or others, face-to-face consultations with others exceeding 10 minutes, etc.) are billed at the rate of $150 per hour. These services are pro-rated in quarter hour units with a minimum of 10 minutes charged at the quarter hour rate of $37.50.
- These services are billed directly to the client and are not billable to insurance.
- Please note that I do not become involved in litigation, however, I will charge $120/hour for preparation and court time if involvement is mandated.
Your Health Plan:
- Please notify me of any changes in your health plan status or your address.
- Contact your health plan to confirm
- coverage for mental health services
- whether you have managed mental health benefits, and
- if pre-authorization is required prior to your appointment.
- Deductible: If you have a deductible that has yet to be met, it is expected that you pay any fees in full until the deductible is met.
- Co-Pay: If your health plan has a visit fee or co-payment, it is expected that you will pay this amount at the time of each visit.
- You are responsible for payment: If for any reason your health plan does not reimburse me for services, you are responsible for full payment of all fees incurred. You may pay by cash, credit card or check and may arrange for a payment plan with the billing office if you choose.
Confidentiality: All information you share with me is held in confidence and I can share it with others (except for your health plan, as noted above) only by you giving me your written consent. There are three exceptions to this policy:
1. If a client is involved in a court case, clinical records and/or therapist testimony may be subpoenaed.
2. Vermont state law mandates that a mental health professional who reasonably suspects that any child, elder or member of a vulnerable population has been abused or neglected must report abuse or neglect to the Department for Children and Families or Adult Protective Services for possible investigation.
3. If a therapist has reasonable cause to believe that a client may inflict harm upon him or herself or another or another's property, the therapist is bound ethically and legally to do whatever is necessary to protect human life/or property.
Disclosure: Vermont state law requires that I disclose to all clients my professional qualifications and experience, information about what constitutes unprofessional conduct and information about how to file a complaint with the Office of Professional Regulation. (Provided separately)
Privacy: The Federal regulation known as the "HIPAA Privacy Rule" requires that I provide detailed notice in writing of established privacy practices. (Provided separately)
Records: See accompanying form entitled "Consent to the Use and Disclosure of Health Information for Treatment, Payment or Health Care Operations" for information about your protected health information and mental health records. (Provided separately)
Social Media: The code of ethics for my profession prohibits me from responding to friend requests on any social media sites, including Facebook and LinkedIn.