When people start counseling they usually have a lot on their minds and do not always remember details about office arrangements. Therefore, office policies are provided in writing. You are encouraged to take the time to read it through and sign before your first appointment. Please feel free to bring up any questions you may have.
APPOINTMENTS:
Counseling appointments are initially scheduled on, at least, a weekly basis. It is best to schedule your appointments for the same time each week. Sessions begin and end on time. Unless urgent, phone calls are not taken during sessions; please put your phone on silent mode. Since successful treatment requires continuity, please plan ahead to avoid any problems with consistency regarding your appointments. If you wish to change the frequency of your appointments, feel free to bring this up with your therapist.
FEES:
There is a standard fee for counseling sessions. Fees for telephone/email consultations that exceed five (5) minutes are the same as for the session, prorated to the actual time. Payment is expected at the time of your session or a retainer agreement can be made.
$225 Intake session, by phone or video (90-minutes)
$150 per 60-minute phone or video session
$300 Intake session, in-person (90-minutes)
$200 per 60-minute in-person session
Ms. Jacobs prefers not to be involved in any court proceedings. If this is inevitable, the fee for court time is $200 per hour. This includes travel time, and this fee will be charged for missed office time, reports preparation and writing.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
It is important for you, the client, to recognize that when you make an appointment, this time is exclusively reserved for you. If you are late, that cuts down on your therapy time. If you miss an appointment, that time could have been scheduled for another client. Therefore, it is necessary to charge for appointments unless twenty- four (24) hours cancellation notice has been given. Appointments canceled on the same day or no-shows for whatever reason will be charged the full hour. If you need to cancel, AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE is appreciated, so that someone else who may want an appointment can take your spot.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Ms. Jacobs is committed to protect your privacy and confidentiality to the fullest extent possible. Your communications, conversations and records, as well as the knowledge that you are a client are confidential and privileged information as defined by professional ethics and the laws of the state of Florida (ACA Code of Ethics).
No disclosure of information about you, current or past, may be released to any person or agency without your consent to release information. This rule applies equally to both written and oral communications. The current state laws and regulations limit confidentiality and require disclosure under the following circumstances:
1. A receipt of a valid court order.
2. If there is any suspicion of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and/or neglect of a child, Ms. Jacobs is required by law to inform the authorities. Mental Health Counselors are also required by law to inform Adult Protective Services, Department of Elder Affairs, if there is any suspicion of physical abuse of a dependent adult.
3. If there is reasonable cause to believe that you or your child are a danger to yourself or to someone else, then disclosure must be made to an appropriate individual or agency that can prevent the threatened danger.
For minors, those under the age of 18, parents have the right to review the treatment record. In most cases, an agreement will be made with the minor and his/her parents whereby the parents are to receive periodic reports of treatment progress. Unless there is an imminent threat, information provided will be general and reviewed with the minor prior to the update to the parent(s).
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
Therapy can help you learn to tap into your own inner recourses to discover how to live life in a more fulfilling way. It has been found to assist with symptom reduction, increasing confidence, enhancing problem solving skills, improving relationships and generally benefiting the lives and well-being of those involved. However, there are times when painful emotions emerge and dealing with sensitive issues can become uncomfortable. This is normal and temporary. Outcome in counseling is difficult to predict. It is a combination of the individual, the people involved in their life, the challenges involved and the treatment provided. Parent counseling is most useful when it is a collaborative process, when it involves participation on the part of the parents, the child and the therapist. Clients usually report that it’s well worth it and that their quality of life has improved through therapy.
While Ms. Jacobs has training and experience in various treatment modalities, not every person is for every therapist. Because counseling can be a substantial investment in time, money and energy it is important to carefully evaluate your decision in selecting a therapist. Should you choose to no longer continue treatment, it is important to have a termination session, where your concerns can be addressed and, if needed, a referral to another practitioner can be made.
MESSAGES & TELEPHONE CONSULT:
Since the practice is primarily for outpatient counseling services, there is no around-the-clock availability. Ms. Jacobs works from 9am-5pm during weekdays. In the weekend the practice is closed. She will do her best to attend to phone calls promptly within business hours. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and a number where you can be reached. Every attempt is made to return your phone call the same day or the next workday. If you leave a message in the weekend, your call will be returned the next business day. Text messages are only used to make and confirm appointments. Please don’t use text message for therapy content as there are concerns regarding confidentiality with this way of communication. For emergency calls you are encouraged to call 911.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Ms. Jacobs’s professional policy is not to accept clients as online friends on social media sides like Facebook or Instagram. It is not appropriate to establish this online relationship due to privacy and confidentiality issues. Additionally, Mental Health Counselors are bound by professional ethics that prohibit dual relationships between client-therapist. However, clients are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the practitioner within the therapeutic setting.
I, the client, have read and understand this client contract and give consent for treatment.
