Office policies
Cancellation and Late Policy
- Please be on time for your appointment. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call me at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for the missed appointment.
- The charge for a missed or late appointment is the same as a regular session.
- I will notify you as soon as possible, if I have to cancel your appointment.
Phone Calls and Texting
- Routine calls or texts (e.g., for medication refills, re-scheduling appointments) will be returned by the next business day, if possible. Please call if a text is not responded to by the next business day.
- Urgent calls will be returned within 2 hours, if possible.
- For all life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. After doing so, please leave me a message or have the hospital contact me.
Fees
- Fees for initial evaluations are due at the time of the evaluation.
- Fees for psychotherapy sessions are due at each appointment or the end of the month.
- Costs for returned checks will be charged to the patient.
Confidentiality and Patient Rights
- Communications are confidential and no information will be released without your consent other than as required by law. You may authorize me in writing to disclose information with a specific person, agency, hospital, etc. only as needed.
- There are a few exceptions to this rule of confidentiality. By law, therapists/physicians must report suspected child abuse or elder abuse, domestic violence, and will need to take appropriate actions when a client is considered a danger to themselves or others.
- Details can be found in the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act of the California Civil Code.