Terms & Policies

 

APPOINTMENTS & CANCELATIONS:

The standard art therapy session time is 60 minutes. It is up to you, however, to determine the length of time of your sessions. Requests to change the 60 minutes session can be discussed with the therapist to determine the appropriate length for you.

Please remember to cancel or reschedule 24 hours in advance. You will be responsible for the entire fee if cancellation is less than 24 hours.

Cancellations and re-scheduled session will be subject to a full charge if NOT RECEIVED AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. This is necessary because a time commitment is made to you and is held exclusively for you. If you are late for a session, you may lose some of that session time.

THE THERAPEUTIC PROCESS

Although art therapy is designed to improve the overall quality of life, the process can involve addressing emotional issues that may be distressing. Working through these issues can be difficult and stressful, but the goal is to promote coping and healing. Success in attaining treatment goals will also depend on your commitment to the process.

If you are unhappy with what is happening in therapy, please share your concerns with me. My intention is to support you, even if that means altering your treatment plan or even referring you to another professional. You have the right to safe, respectful care, without discrimination.

In mental health there are often several ways to approach presenting issues. I will work with you to find a plan you are comfortable with, which can be revised as needed. You have the right to discuss my recommendations, goals, and methods at any point during the course of your treatment.

TELEPHONE ACCESSIBILITY

If you need to contact me between sessions, please leave a message on my voice mail. I am often not immediately available; however, I will attempt to return your call within 24 hours. If a true emergency situation arises, please call 911 or any local emergency room.

CONFIDENTIALITY

What happens during your therapy session is kept confidential. I am required to keep appropriate records in the form of record brief progress notes, which will be stored securely and confidentially. All client information will be kept confidential unless the client requests in writing to have all or portions of such content released to a specifically named person/persons. Limitations of such client confidentiality exist and are itemized below:

  1. If a client threatens or attempts to commit suicide or otherwise conducts him/her self in a manner in which there is a substantial risk of incurring serious bodily harm.

  2. If a client threatens grave bodily harm or death to another person.

  3. If the therapist has a reasonable suspicion that a client or other named victim is the perpetrator, observer of, or actual victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse of children under the age of 18 years.

  4. Suspicions as stated above in the case of an elderly person who may be subjected to these abuses.

  5. Suspected neglect of the parties named in items #3 and # 4.

  6. If a court of law issues a legitimate subpoena for information stated on the subpoena.

  7. If a client is in therapy or being treated by order of a court of law, or if information is obtained for the purpose of rendering an expert’s report to an attorney.

Occasionally I may need to consult with other professionals in their areas of expertise in order to provide the best treatment for you. Information about you may be shared in this context without using your name.

If we see each other accidentally outside of the therapy office, I will not acknowledge you first. Your right to privacy and confidentiality is of the utmost importance to me, and I do not wish to jeopardize your privacy. However, if you acknowledge me first, I will be more than happy to speak briefly with you, but feel it appropriate not to engage in any lengthy discussions in public or outside of the therapy office.