This practice is an Affiliated Center of the New England Pastoral Institute (NEPI).   As a new patient, you will be asked to fill out a number of forms that outline policies, gather information, and obtain permissions in accordance with the policies and procedures of NEPI.  The record keeping and clinical policies and procedure of this practice conform to those of NEPI.

New England Pastoral Institute, Inc. is committed to offering quality psychotherapy services which will aid clients in reaching their stated goals.  This Informed Consent statement sets forth NEPI’s policies and procedures regarding competent and ethical psychotherapeutic services for your review.

Should you need to reach your me in an emergency, call 603-448-2414.  If I am not available:

1. Leave a message on my answering machine indicating that it is an emergency situation and how I may contact you. 

2. Call my emergency number 603 359 1085.  If I am not immediately available leave a message stating it is an emergency situation and how I may contact you.

3. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time or if you are unable to wait for the call to be returned, call 911 or go to the emergency room of your local hospital and ask to speak to the on-call psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

You will know my vacation and holiday schedule well in advance and be informed who is providing backup while I am away.  Your fee for any backup consultation will be your responsibility and will be at that professional’s regular fee.

When you schedule an appointment, that time is reserved for you and, therefore, not available for others who are waiting for services.  If you must cancel your appointment, please notify me as soon as possible and at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.  Because continuity is an important element in productive psychotherapy, whenever possible I will re-schedule your appointment.  If you miss your session, and do not provide at least 24 hours notice, you will be responsible for your full fee for that session (insurance companies do not pay for missed sessions).

I have a standard fee schedule for services which will be discussed with you during your intake appointment.  In some cases, if you are unable to afford the standard fee, you may be able to negotiate your fee according to a sliding fee scale.  The setting of your fee is individually negotiated and payable by you at each session.  All charges for returned checks are your responsibility.

If you have health insurance a portion of the fee may be covered by your insurance.  I accept assignment of insurance payments and will bill your company for you.  When I am an in-network provider I will accept the fee allowed by your insurance company plus your deductible and co-payment as full payment. To use your insurance, you will need to complete an insurance intake form and return it to me at your second session.  You will also need to sign the Consent to Use or Disclose Information for Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations.

When you use insurance you are responsible for all co-payments and deductible payments.  I will notify you of this balance once I receive payment from your insurance company.  Payment is due within ten days of my notifying you of your balance due.  You are responsible for any unpaid balance at the end of your therapy.  Any balance that goes unpaid for longer than 30 days will accrue interest charges at the rate of a minimum of $1 per month or 1% per month on the outstanding balance, whichever is greater.

If you are not using insurance, I will bill you at the end of each month.  Payment is due within 10 days of when you receive a statement.  You are responsible for any unpaid balance at the end of therapy.  Any balance that goes unpaid for longer than 30 days will accrue interest charges at the rate of a minimum of $1 per month or 1% per month on the outstanding balance, whichever is greater.

Many insurance plans now have managed care provisions.  Most of these programs believe psychotherapy is only "medically necessary" while there are measurable signs of emotional distress.  For some clients the relief of that distress will be a satisfactory outcome.  For others, the process of therapy may identify some areas of important personal growth that you want to pursue both to prevent recurrences of your difficulties and to improve your overall level of emotional satisfaction.  If you choose to continue in psychotherapy after your insurance company has either offered you your maximum benefit for the year or beyond what they consider "medically necessary treatment," it will be your responsibility to pay for any further sessions.

I may find it helpful to offer telephone contact for therapeutic purposes.  Fee for telephone conversations regarding therapeutic issues will be based on the rate per session.   Insurance coverage does not cover therapy by telephone.  Consequently all telephone clinical services shall be paid for by check or cash at the in-person session:  5 - 15 minutes @ ¼ the session rate, 16 – 30 minutes at ½ the session rate.  Time exceeding 30 minutes will be charged at the full session rate.   Telephone contact regarding administrative issues (i.e., appointment scheduling or insurance questions) is not billed.  Reading and responding to email and journal entries is also prorated based on the session rate.  Since email is not a confidential manner of communication, extreme care and caution must be exercised when using this electronic form of communication of any clinical material.  I do not provide therapy done by means of “instant messaging” under any circumstances.

Confidentiality

 Some important issues regarding confidentiality need to be understood as you begin your psychotherapy.  Please review this material carefully so that you can discuss any questions or concerns at your next appointment.

In general, the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist is protected by law, and information about your therapeutic work can only be released to others with your written permission.  There are a few exceptions.

The clear intent of these requirements is that a psychotherapist has both a legal and ethical responsibility to take action to protect endangered individuals from harm when his or her professional judgment indicates that such danger exists.  Fortunately, these situations rarely arise.

 1.     There are some circumstances when a psychotherapist is required to breach confidentiality without a client’s permission.  This occurs if the psychotherapist suspects the neglect or abuse of a minor in which case a report must be filed with the appropriate state agency.  If, in the psychotherapist’s professional judgment, the client is threatening serious harm to another or threatens to harm himself or herself, that client may be required to enter a hospital.

 2.     In most judicial proceedings, the client has the right to prevent a psychotherapist from testifying.  However, in child custody proceedings, adoption proceedings, and proceedings in which the client’s emotional condition is an important element, a judge may require testimony if it is determined that resolution of the issues before the court requires it.  If a client is involved in litigation, or is anticipating litigation, and chooses to include his or her mental or emotional state as part of the litigation, the psychotherapist may have to reveal part or all of the client’s treatment and evaluation records.  The client is responsible for any costs incurred by the therapist preparing for testimony as well as the fee for the therapist’s time of preparation and appearance in court.  You must notify your psychotherapist if there is the possibility of needing any clinical support for any legal action you may be involved in.  You will then be provided with additional information regarding your responsibilities and your psychotherapist’s responses and resources for those needs.

 3.     If a client is called as a witness in criminal proceedings, opposing counsel may have some limited access to the client’s treatment records.  Testimony may also be ordered in (a) legal proceedings related to psychiatric hospitalization; (b) in malpractice and disciplinary proceedings brought against a mental health professional; (c) court-ordered psychological evaluations; and (d) certain legal cases where the client has died.  The client is responsible for any costs incurred by the therapist preparing for testimony as well as the fee for the therapist’s time of preparation and appearance in court.

 4.     With your informed and written consent a psychotherapist may write and submit reports to schools, physicians, or other agencies or individuals.  Should you require any of these clinical services, your psychotherapist will provide you with a written form detailing those service and the fees which apply.

 5.     A psychotherapist may occasionally find it helpful or necessary to receive supervision or consultation about a case with another professional.  In these conversations every effort is made to avoid revealing the identity of the client.  The supervisor/consultant is, or course, also legally bound to maintain confidentiality.  If the psychotherapist feels that it would be helpful to refer the client to another professional for consultation, the client’s authorization is necessary before the case can be discussed.

 6.     A psychotherapist is required to maintain complete and accurate treatment records.  Clients are entitled to receive a copy of these records unless the psychotherapist considers the information to be emotionally damaging.  In such cases the records must be made available to the client’s appropriate designee.  A written request for treatment records is required as well as an appointment for the therapist to discuss the contents of the records with the client.  Clients will be charged an appropriate fee for preparation and for the appointment to review the records.  There are no exceptions to these guidelines for release.

 7.     If a client uses third party reimbursement the psychotherapist is required to provide the insurer with a clinical diagnosis and sometimes a treatment plan or summary.  If requested, the psychotherapist will provide the client with a copy of any report that is submitted.  Some HMO’s will provide treatment information to employers who request such information.  Data submitted for third party payment become part of a large databank that is accessible by several different interests.  If a client is concerned about the availability and/or release of their clinical treatment information, they are advised to consult with their insurance carrier about the specific confidentialities that may or may not apply to their coverage.

 8.     If a client is under the age of eighteen years the specific content of communications during psychotherapy sessions is confidential, however parents or legal guardians have the right to receive general information on the progress of treatment.

 9.     Under current law, in group and family psychotherapy and couple psychotherapy all participants are required to consent to the release of information.  One marital partner may not waive privilege for another.  In cases of marital therapy, therefore, the record may be released only if both parties waive privilege or if release of the record is court ordered.  Records for a consenting party may be released provided that they are sanitized to remove all references to the partner’s psychotherapy.

 10.   In cases where clients fail to pay for their therapy in a timely manner, the services of a collection agency may be utilized.  Appropriate attempts will be made by the psychotherapist and/or office manager to collect overdue fees.  If the client still refuses to make full payment, information regarding the client’s identity and debt will be released to the collection agency. 

 While this summary of exceptions to confidentiality will prove helpful in informing clients about potential problems, laws governing these issues are often complex.  I encourage active discussion of these issues, however if a client needs more specific advice, formal legal consultation may be helpful.

Links to forms you can read and complete before an initial appointment

Mental Health Bill of Rights

Consent to Treat for Couples

Consent to Treat for Individuals

Insurance Intake Form

Self Assessment Form