Office Policies and Procedures
Below you will find a detailed explanation of my policies. Please read them carefully, as your
understanding is important to our work together. Please do not hesitate to bring any questions
or concerns to my attention so we can discuss it.
INITIAL CONSULTATION: Our first one to three meetings will involve a psychiatric consultation.
By the end of the consultation, I should be able to make a recommendation with regard to initial
treatment and offer some first impressions of what our work might include if you decide to
continue. This time also will enable you to determine your comfort level with me, and we can
both evaluate whether I am the best person to provide treatment. If you have questions about
my style and thinking, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If it is determined that we
will not continue to work together, I will be happy to provide referrals to other mental health
professionals.
MEETINGS: Psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes in duration. The duration, frequency and
time of meetings will be determined mutually.
Medication management follow-up visits are generally scheduled for 20 or 30 minutes, and I will
make a recommendation with regard to frequency.
MEDICATIONS: Medication may be a part of your treatment. To ensure quality of care, regular
follow up with routine office visits is necessary for prescriptions to be provided. Patients must
be seen before refill prescriptions are written. Please inform me about needed medication refills
at least 5 business days before your medication runs out. I also strongly recommend that you
set aside a reserve of 5 days of each medication.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Once an appointment is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it
unless I have received 48-hours (2 business days) notice.
CONTACTING ME: I am typically not immediately available by phone, and I do not answer my
phone when I am with a patient. When I am unavailable, my office will receive your message,
and I will make every effort to return your call within 1 business day. Please advise the best
telephone numbers and times to reach you. If you are unable to reach me and feel that it is
an emergency, contact your family physician, the nearest emergency room or 911. If I will
be unavailable for an extended time, I will provide you with the name of a colleague to contact, if
necessary.
EMAIL POLICY: While Email can be helpful in scheduling appointments, there are a number of
serious concerns including, potential breaches of privacy, difficulty validating your identity, and
delays in responses. The content of any emails exchanged should be limited to non-urgent
scheduling of future appointments, directions, or similar logistical issues. Emails should not
include any material related to your treatment (therapy or medication), and certainly not related
to any emergency medical or psychiatric concerns.
Please do not assume I have received your email unless you receive a reply
acknowledging receipt from me. If you do not receive a reply, please leave a message on my
voicemail.
PROFESSIONAL FEES, BILLING AND PAYMENTS: I do not accept insurance and am not a
participating provider for any insurance company. You are responsible for payment for
treatment.
Payment is due in full at the time of service unless otherwise specified. Initial consultation is
$450. Follow ups are $350 for therapy visit or $250 for medication management. Please bring a
credit card, check, or cash to your appointment.
INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT: If you have a health insurance policy, it will usually provide
some coverage for mental health treatment. I can provide you with the information you need to
submit for reimbursement; however, you and not your insurance company are responsible for
this submission and for full payment of my fees. It is very important that you find out exactly
what mental health services your insurance policy covers. You should also be aware that your
contract with your health insurance company requires that I provide information relevant to the
services that I provide to you including a clinical diagnosis.
PROFESSIONAL RECORDS: Pursuant to HIPAA, and described in detail in your copy of
“Notice of Privacy Practices,” I maintain Protected Health Information about you in your Clinical
Record. As described in that notice, except in unusual circumstances, you may examine and/or
receive a copy of your Clinical Record, if you request it in writing. Because these are
professional records, they may be misinterpreted and/or upsetting to untrained readers. For this
reason, I recommend that you initially review them in my presence, or have them forwarded to
another mental health professional so you can discuss the contents.
Please note that these policies are subject change at any time.