Information for New Clients

Therapy results vary depending on the personalities of the therapist and client as well as the particular problems you may be experiencing. I see therapy as a collaborative effort between therapist and client. After a careful evaluation of your situation, problems and concerns, we will develop a treatment plan and decide together how best to proceed.

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Appointments will usually last 50 minutes.  I will bill your insurance company and you are responsible for co-payments.  If you wish to private pay and not bill insurance, my fee is $140.  In some instances I do offer a sliding scale fee.  Please be on time for sessions.  If you need to cancel an appointment, you must do so within 24 hours of the appointment.  I will likewise do the same should I need to cancel for any reason.  If you cancel an appointment with less than 24 hours notice, you will be billed a fee of $70. If late cancellations and/or non-attendance of appointments becomes a repeated pattern, I reserve the right to refer you to work with another therapist in the community whom may be able to accommodate your scheduling needs. Exceptions will be made for genuine emergencies.

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​Confidentiality is something that is essential to your work in therapy.  I must have written permission from you to share anything about your case (or that of your minor children).  There are certain circumstances that may arise (though, in my experience, they are rare) in which I am bound by law to disclose certain information without written permission.  These circumstances are:  1) if I believe that the person in treatment is in danger of harming themselves, 2) if I believe abuse is happening to a child, disabled individual or an elderly person, 3) if a client threatens to hurt someone else or 4) if a judge issues a court order requiring me to produce records or to testify in court. Please know that I will always inform you if any of these instances occur.  Please ask me if you have any questions about confidentiality.

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Confidentiality between parents, minor children and therapist should be discussed at the beginning of treatment.  I believe children need both a confidential place to explore their feelings as well as the support of their parent or caregiver.  It will be important to balance these needs and I see this as an ongoing discussion.  Again, please ask me if you have any questions regarding the confidentiality of sessions for children and adolescents.

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Clinical emergencies are rare, but they do happen.  If you are experiencing a clinical emergency, please go to your nearest Emergency Room or call 911.  If you need an appointment, or have a question, you may call me at 315-949-0451 and leave a voice message.  I will make every effort to contact you within 24-48 hours.   

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There may be times when we wish to obtain information from a doctor or I make a recommendation for a medical evaluation.  Please feel free to discuss this with me. ​Successful use of treatment is a collaborative effort and I look forward to working with you. 

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Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.