You have received this information because you are referred by Family Court Services for extended co-parenting or individual counseling. When people start counseling they usually have a lot on their minds and do not always remember details about office arrangements and services provided. Therefore, office policies are provided in writing. You are encouraged to take the time to read this and sign before your first appointment. Please feel free to bring up any questions you may have.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
The goal of court appointed counseling services is to improve communication and decrease conflict between the parents so that negative consequences of the divorce/separation for the child(ren) can be minimized. It is in your child(ren)’s best interest to be able to grow up without ongoing parental conflict. If you plan to involve your therapist in the legal proceedings with the other parent, I may not be the best therapist for you because my goal is to decrease the need for court involvement in your/your child(ren)’s lives. I do not report any case information to the court, I only report compliance to Family Court Services.
Counseling can be very helpful in reducing symptoms, increasing confidence, enhancing problem solving skills, improving relationships and generally benefit the lives 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 depends on the participation of the adult(s), the child(ren), the people involved in raising them, the issues involved and the treatment provided.
Extended Co-parenting counseling is most helpful when it is a collaborative process, when it involves participation on both the part of the parents and the therapist. While Ms. Jacobs is an expert on divorce, and has more than 20 years of 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 select 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 by family court services.
APPOINTMENTS:
Counseling appointments are initially scheduled on, at least, a weekly basis and frequency can be modified to every other week in time. It is best to arrange your appointments for the same time each week. Sessions are scheduled during regular office hours. Sessions begin and end on time. Unless urgent, phone calls are not taken during sessions and you will be asked to turn your phone on silent mode. Since successful treatment requires continuity, please plan ahead to avoid any problems in keeping your appointments.
FEES & CANCELLATION POLICY:
There is a standard office fee for extended co-parenting counseling and individual court appointed counseling. Fees for telephone 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.
Extended co-parenting:
$300 - intake (90 minutes)
$200 - 60 minute session after the intake
Individual court referred Counseling:
$225 - intake (90 minutes)
$150 - each (60 minute) session after the intake
Fees are for video/phone session. In person rates to be discussed on request.
If you email the therapist therapy content that takes more than 5 minutes to read, time charged will be the same as for the session, prorated to the actual time.
In most cases both parties pay for the services on a 50/50 basis. Please check your court order or contact your attorney to make sure you know who is responsible for payment before the first session.
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. If you need to cancel, AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE is appreciated, so that someone else who may be waiting for an appointment could come in. Same day cancellations or ‘no shows’ require full payment for the session without exception. If two consecutive appointments are rescheduled or canceled by one of the parties, the court will be notified of non-compliance.
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 platforms 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.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Ms. Jacobs is fully 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 for release of 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. In case of extended co-parenting referred by the court a compliance report will be given to Family Court Services when requested.
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 Florida Department for Families and Children. 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 are a danger to yourself or to someone else, then disclosure must be made to the appropriate authorities 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 the minor is at risk of endangering himself or others, information provided will be general and reviewed with the minor prior to the update.
I, the client, have read and understand this client contract and give consent for treatment.
