Thank you for choosing me as your counselor. This document informs you about the counseling process and provides information that is important for you to understand about our professional relationship. Please note any questions or concerns you have and we will address them.

Qualifications and Experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC #11673). I earned a Masters of Science (MS) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. This graduate program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). I also earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Counseling Studies from Capella University. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors organization, and a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP) through the Mental Health Integrative Medicine Institute. I worked as a senior administrator and conducted research in the mental health field for over 12 years. I have 10 years of counseling experience serving individuals, families and groups in outpatient therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation environments. This work involves assisting individuals from diverse age, ethnic, cultural, lifestyle, and socioeconomic backgrounds with emotional and behavioral health challenges to include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, anger management, trauma and abuse, and a multitude of psychosocial difficulties related to adjustment or life transitions in the areas of family, academics, career, religion, and spirituality. These services are generally provided in an office setting or online. However, they may include visits to the home, community, and school, as appropriate.

I approach counseling primarily from Client-Centered and Cognitive/Dialectical-Behavioral perspectives. I also regularly utilize Multicultural Counseling, Feminist Theory, Narrative work, and Family Systems techniques. I emphasize strengths-based, solution-focused approaches that entail providing a safe and warm environment where clients can explore and openly express their concerns to help foster awareness and create change in their lives.

Counseling is a professional, collaborative relationship where sessions will focus exclusively on your concerns, well-being, and client rights. To best serve you, I will maintain professional boundaries in this relationship at all times. In this respect, I do not typically accept gifts, especially those of significant value, from clients. I also do not typically accept invitations by clients to attend social events. Exceptions may be made if attendance or acceptance of gifts will enhance clinical work or the counseling relationship. Furthermore, I am not able to purchase tickets or goods from clients for personal consumption or those associated with fundraising events. During and after your counseling experience with me, I will not acknowledge you as a client or converse with you outside of the counseling setting without your explicit permission given in advance. You are welcome to initiate conversation with me. It is also your right to know that there are risks associated with the counseling process, such as difficult feelings and strained relationships. Finally, you have the right to terminate sessions at anytime or reject any therapeutic techniques or suggestions I present.

Length of Service and Fees

The counseling process, which is largely concerned with change, healing, and recovery, is different for everyone. Therefore, duration of services varies for each individual or family. Some people reach their therapeutic goals within weeks, while others may work for months or years to achieve their aims.

First appointments can take up to 120 minutes because these are intake sessions where paperwork gathering and initial evaluations are completed. These sessions are provided for a fee of $185. Individual outpatient sessions are typically 60-90 minutes in length and are provided for a fee of $150. Family and couple counseling, which are provided for a fee of $175 per session, also lasts from 60-90 minutes. If you must miss an appointment, please call the office to reschedule or cancel at least 24 hours in advance. This will prevent you from being held responsible for paying for the missed session. Fees are collected at the time of visit. Cash, check, debit and credit card payments are accepted. An insufficient funds fee of $35 will be charged for all returned checks. Some insurance plans are accepted. In addition, fees may be adjusted on a sliding scale for clients experiencing financial hardship. This scale can range from $0 to $125 per session.  If we are using a sliding scale for you, our agreed upon fee is _____. Please contact the office prior to your first visit to ensure copayment/payment is authorized.

Use of Diagnosis

Some health insurance companies will reimburse clients for counseling services and some will not. In addition, most will require diagnosis of a mental health condition and indicate that you must have an "illness" before they will agree to reimburse you. Some conditions for which people seek counseling do not qualify for reimbursement. If a qualifying diagnosis is appropriate in your case, I will inform you of the diagnosis before we submit the diagnosis to the health insurance company. Any diagnosis made will become part of your permanent insurance records. Furthermore, such diagnoses will be congruent with the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

Confidentiality

All of our communication becomes part of the clinical record, which is accessible to you upon request. I respect your privacy and will keep anything you say confidential as part of our counseling relationship, with the following exceptions: (a) you direct me in writing to disclose information to someone else, (b) it is determined you are a danger to yourself or others (including child or elder abuse), or (c) I am ordered by a court to disclose information. 

Complaints

Although clients are encouraged to discuss any concerns with me, you may file a complaint against me with the organization below should you feel I am in violation of any code of ethics. I abide by the ACA Code of Ethics (http:// www.counseling.org/Resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf).

Acceptance of Terms

You must agree to accept these terms and abide by these guidelines in order to receive services.