Practice Policies

Last updated September 15, 2024

In my practice, I work with individuals, couples, and families. I have a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree, and have been a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMT0000000766) with the state of Tennessee since 2007. I practice in an office with other licensed professionals, but we are all independent contractors, not associated with each other except by building unit, and we are not an LLC.

Confidentiality: What is said between you and me in session is always kept confidential, and you have control over the release of information to anyone else. However, there are exceptions to confidentiality which are legally mandated and of which you should be aware.

These exceptions include: 1) if the client is in danger of harming themselves, 2) if the client is a danger to others, 3) report of suspected child abuse and/or neglect, and 4) report of suspected adult/elder abuse and/or neglect. In these instances, the therapist is required to inform potential victims and legal authorities so that protective measures can be taken. In addition, occasionally judges will subpoena a counselor for testimony or order the release of confidential information in court proceedings. The client will be notified of the subpoena and/ or court order, and every effort is made to protect confidential information.

Please be aware that couple’s counseling has different parameters around confidentiality. I will provide you with that information when forms are filled out.

Appointments: I schedule my own appointments with my clients. Most appointments are for 50 minutes, known as the “clinical hour”. Since clients are seen by appointment only, the appointment time given is reserved for you. Please give at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice if you must cancel your reserved time. Failure to provide a 24 hour notice means that someone else is not able to use that appointment time. You will be charged your usual fee for appointments that are not cancelled 24 hours in advance, although extenuating circumstances are always taken into consideration.
If you are running late, please try to call or text me and let me know. Otherwise, if you are over 15 minutes late, I will assume you are not coming and I may leave.

I do not do therapy via e-mail or text. Since you can’t see my facial expressions or hear my tone of voice, and vice versa, my responses will be kept brief. I do my best to ensure the privacy of e-mail and text messages, but this method has limited confidentiality. E-mail and texting should only be used for questions concerning appointments or resources, and not for therapy. Texts and e-mails written by you about therapy issues will be saved and become part of your permanent record. Also, I do not participate in social media (Facebook, Instagram or Linked In, etc.) with my clients.

If for some reason you should be unable to contact me during an emergency, you may obtain assistance by calling the Crisis Help Line at (615) 244-7444, dialing 911, or by going to your local hospital emergency room.

Fees and Payment: Unless otherwise agreed upon, sessions are billed at $160 for a 50-minute appointment. Cash, checks or credit cards are accepted forms of payment. Phone consultations are billed at $50 per half-hour after the first 10 minutes (which are at no cost).

Fees are due and payable at each session.

A returned check incurs a fee of $25. If desired, clients will be provided with a receipt with appropriate diagnoses and codes which they may submit to their insurance company for reimbursement, though no responsibility for reimbursement is held by me. Please contact your insurance provider to ask about the limits of their coverage for mental health services from an out of network provider if you choose to use insurance.

If you request me to copy your records for any reason, the fee is $20 for the first five pages, and .50 a page after that. If you request a summary report from me, a fee of $200 will be assessed.

Informed Consent to Treatment: I have provided this information to you in the hope of fully informing you of policies of my office and parameters of care you will receive here, such as the importance of confidentiality.

Psychiatric and psychological care, like other things in life, offers no absolute guarantee of success. There are limitations to any form of care offered to a client, and ultimately, clients are responsible for their own growth.