Office Policies and Information

Welcome! The following information is provided to help you become better acquainted with my practice. Please take time to read it carefully. I will be happy to further discuss any of these items with you.

Confidentiality: You have a right to privacy and confidentiality. This is essential to the success of our work. It is the foundation of trust and safety within a therapeutic relationship. In fact, the law requires that I preserve your confidentiality. Your consent is required to release any information about you or your treatment. Exceptions to this rule occur only in events such as a real threat of imminent danger (to self or others), abuse of a child or a dependent person, or a court order. Also, if you submit bills to your insurance company they may require you to allow the release of clinical information to them. (Please see Notice of Privacy Practices in the introductory packet)

Fees: I ask that you pay in full for each session at the time of the session. Please make checks out to CenterPoint. If you choose to seek reimbursement from your medical insurance I can assist you as needed. Medicare coverage is an exception and must be handled by our office. Fees are listed below. Please note that fees charged to ongoing clients will rarely change and will be proceeded by at least a two month prior notification.

Psychotherapy (50 minutes) $150
Extended Psychotherapy Session (90 minutes) $185
Phone Consultations with you or with others at your request (15 minutes) $35
Preparation of written reports, at your request: same rate per hour as therapy

Scheduling: Your appointment time is very important. Regularly scheduled and predictable appointment times are essential. I will notify you well in advance about my vacation weeks or any need to change or cancel a scheduled appointment. I ask that you also look upon our scheduled times with respect and call well in advance to change or cancel any appointment. In this way we respect each others time and our mutual commitment.

Cancellations, Time Changes and Missed Sessions: If you must change or cancel an appointment for any reason within 24 hours before the scheduled appointment time you will be billed a $25.00 scheduling fee. If I have to change or cancel your appointment within 24 hours I will reduce your next therapy session fee by $25.00. If you do not attend your scheduled therapy session you will be billed the entire fee for the session as a missed session charge and it cannot be submitted to your insurer. Similarly, if I ever missed a scheduled session I would provide the next therapy hour free of charge.

Emergencies: I wish to be helpful in times of intensified distress or difficulty. However, I may not always be available outside of our scheduled appointment time. It is important that you understand my possible limitations in this regard. There are other settings where 24 hour emergency coverage is provided. Be aware that you can seek treatment in those settings if such coverage is important to you or necessary to your proper treatment. I will be happy to help you with this. During our work together, know that alternative sources of professional psychological support are available on a 24 hour basis at: Lenape Valley Foundation: Days 215-345-5300, Nights and Weekends 215-345-5327

Know Your Rights: I believe that, as a psychologist and psychotherapist, I have a special obligation to provide treatment that is based on the very highest standards and ideals. By law, you have a right to expect a certain level of ethical, competent and caring treatment. Be aware that you have recourse to gather information and file grievances by contacting: the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Harrisburg, PA at 717-787-8503.

Thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you. I admire people who seek out psychotherapy and feel blessed to be able to work in this profession. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me.

©2012