Scheduling and Appointment Times: Prior to scheduling your first session I will conduct a brief consultation with you over the telephone. During this interchange we may discuss your reason for seeking therapy, prior exposure to counseling, scheduling concerns, fees and insurance coverage. I make a concerted effort to work cooperatively with my clients in arranging a feasible appointment time.

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday Thursday 9am to 7pm, Wednesday 2pm to 8pm, Friday 8am to 2pm.

Session Duration/Cancellation Policy: Therapy, counseling, and consultation sessions are 50 minutes in duration. Group sessions are 1 ½ hours in length. I reserve this time for your meeting. Therefore, if you need to cancel an appointment please provide me with a minimum of 48 hours notice (weekdays) in order to avoid being charged for the session. Insurance companies will not pay for missed sessions. You will be responsible for the payment directly if an appointment is missed without sufficient notice. If you miss an appointment without prior notification due to exceptional circumstances, feel free to discuss the matter with me. If you are late, you will be seen for the time remaining and charged for the full fee. When I am on vacation or leave from my office I arrange for a therapist to cover my practice; who is available to you at your discretion.

Emergencies: If you have an emergency and feel you need to speak with me prior to your next scheduled appointment, please call my office at 206. 523.5028. I will return your call, as soon as possible. If you feel your situation is urgent and cannot wait, you may call the Crisis Clinic at 206. 461.3222, 911, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Decisions for Your Consideration: Please consider that not all therapists and clients work well together. It is your responsibility to choose a therapist and approach that works best for you. If you feel my approach is not right for you, let me know. Your discomfort may have to do with the issues which you are dealing with or the therapeutic process it self. It is important that you tell me your concern about any aspect of our work together so we can discuss it. Whether or not you review your concerns, you are free to end my services whenever, you believe ending is appropriate. I will provide referrals to other clinicians, if you would like them. Participation in treatment does not guarantee a specific outcome or efficaciousness.

The Right to Confidentiality and Privileged Information: Information can only be released to others with your signed consent unless one of the five following exceptions established by law should arise:

1. if I become aware that you are abusing, exploiting, or neglecting a child under age 18, a developmentally disabled person, or an elderly person, a report must be made to the appropriate authorities (RCW 26.44);
2. if you become a danger to others, I must protect the other person(s) and you by warning the other person at risk and report the danger to the appropriate authorities (RCW 71.05 120);
3. if you become mentally ill and become unable to take care of your basic needs or become a danger to yourself and others and also refuse treatment, I must report your condition to the authorities (RCW 71.05);
4. if you tell me you are suffering from a HIV related illness and do not have a physician providing for you care, I must report identities of your IV drug using or sexual partner(s) to the local health care officer (WAC 248-100-072); and
5. under certain selected circumstances the court may subpoena your records (Chapter 71.05 RCW and Chapter 70.02 RCW).

I will obtain professional consultation as I feel is in the best interest of our counseling sessions.