Practice Policies & Privacy Information

PRACTICE POLICIES AT MODERN CHANGE

APPOINTMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS All appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice prior to the service will be charged the full $140 session fee. This also applies to missed appointments (no call/no show). Please be mindful when scheduling your appointment so that you are aware of any potential conflicts you may have. Please understand that if you fail to show for an appointment, or cancel at the last minute, you are taking away time that could be used for another client in need. Furthermore, counseling is a process of engagement, and it is imperative that you be present for your scheduled appointments in order reach your therapy goals. If you are late for a session, you may lose some of that session time. 

TELEPHONE ACCESSIBILITY Since I provide outpatient services only, I cannot guarantee 24/7 availability. After hours, you may leave a voice mail at (919) 576-0084 and I will return your call as soon as possible. In case of an emergency/scheduling issue you may reach me on this number by calling or texting. If you should experience a crisis, you should contact a local medical or psychiatric hospital, call 911, or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also call or text the NC Hopeline at 919-231-4525.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATION

Due to the therapeutic nature of our relationship it is unethical for us to have a personal relationship outside of therapy. Please understand social media relationships may blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. Therefore, I cannot ethically accept any social media requests from you such as (but not limited to): Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Google Plus: however, any professional websites that I maintain for Modern Change may be accessible to you. If you have questions about this, please bring them up when we meet and we can talk more about it.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

I cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media, including text messages. If you prefer to communicate via email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, I will do so. While I may try to return messages in a timely manner, I cannot guarantee immediate response and request that you do not use these methods of communication to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies. Services by electronic means, including but not limited to telephone communication, the Internet, facsimile machines, and e-mail is considered telemedicine. Telemedicine is broadly defined as the use of information technology to deliver medical services and information from one location to another. If you and your therapist chose to use information technology for some or all of your treatment, you need to understand that: (1) You retain the option to withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting the right to future care or treatment or risking the loss or withdrawal of any program benefits to which you would otherwise be entitled. (2) All existing confidentiality protections are equally applicable. (3) Your access to all medical information transmitted during a telemedicine consultation is guaranteed, and copies of this information are available for a reasonable fee. (4) Dissemination of any of your identifiable images or information from the telemedicine interaction to researchers or other entities shall not occur without your consent. (5) There are potential risks, consequences, and benefits of telemedicine. Potential benefits include, but are not limited to improved communication capabilities, providing convenient access to up-to-date information, consultations, support, reduced costs, improved quality, change in the conditions of practice, improved access to therapy, better continuity of care, and reduction of lost work time and travel costs. Effective therapy is often facilitated when the therapist gathers within a session or a series of sessions, a multitude of observations, information, and experiences about the client. Therapists may make clinical assessments, diagnosis, and interventions based not only on direct verbal or auditory communications, written reports, and third person consultations, but also from direct visual and olfactory observations, information, and experiences. When using information technology in therapy services, potential risks include, but are not limited to the therapist's inability to make visual and olfactory observations of clinically or therapeutically potentially relevant issues such as: your physical condition including deformities, apparent height and weight, body type, attractiveness relative to social and cultural norms or standards, gait and motor coordination, posture, work speed, any noteworthy mannerism or gestures, physical or medical conditions including bruises or injuries, basic grooming and hygiene including appropriateness of dress, eye contact (including any changes in the previously listed issues), sex, chronological and apparent age, ethnicity, facial and body language, and congruence of language and facial or bodily expression. Potential consequences thus include the therapist not being aware of what he or she would consider important information, that you may not recognize as significant to present verbally the therapist. 

MINORS If you are a minor, your parents may be legally entitled to some information about your therapy. I will discuss with you and your parents what information is appropriate for them to receive and which issues are more appropriately kept confidential. 

TERMINATION Ending relationships can be difficult. Therefore, it is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure. The appropriate length of the termination depends on the length and intensity of the treatment. I may terminate treatment after appropriate discussion with you and a termination process if I determine that the psychotherapy is not being effectively used or if you are in default on payment. I will not terminate the therapeutic relationship without first discussing and exploring the reasons and purpose of terminating. If therapy is terminated for any reason or you request another therapist, I will provide you with a list of qualified psychotherapists to treat you. You may also choose someone on your own or from another referral source. Should you fail to schedule an appointment for three consecutive weeks, unless other arrangements have been made in advance, for legal and ethical reasons, I must consider the professional relationship discontinued.

Privacy Policies:

MY PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION: I understand that health information about you and your health care is personal. I am committed to protecting health information about you. The information you share with me is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) and with few exceptions will be kept confidential. PHI is bound to HIPAA. Your rights and the exceptions of confidentiality will all be shared for you prior to our first session.