TERMS of SERVICE & BEST-PRACTICES
This page lists the best-practices and rules that make psychotherapy function optimally. I will be happy to refer you to someone else if you do not agree with them.
BEST-PRACTICES for VIDEO
VIDEO PREP
Video appointments require that you familiarize yourself with the tech set-up process, turn-off all other apps or programs, and clear the cache of your browser a few minutes ahead of the session. Please plan ahead.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Please pick a place where you can be in private and be able to speak without concern of being heard. It would be rather inconvenient if you had to waste a session being self-conscious around your family, partner, or children. Most coffee shops, public places and restaurants would fall in the inconvenient and non-confidential category. Sound-proof rooms where people don’t interrupt and where they cannot see what you do are more desirable.
SETTING TIME ASIDE & PRIORITIZING
You deserve time for yourself, including the time you need for doing psychotherapy! Please turn notifications “off” during your session, it can be extremely disruptive to have interruptions.
If you are responsible for young ones, it is completely understandable that you may be contacted in case of emergencies. Please try to get help from another adult to keep children- and teen-generated interruptions to a minimum.
SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS
For your convenience, I will offer to make your next appointment at the end of each session. You can also choose to schedule appointments online whenever you like. Go here to schedule your appointments. You can change them anytime, as long as you do it 24 hours in advance. When possible, I appreciate 48 hours advance, so someone else can fill the time you vacate.
APPOINTMENTS
SCHEDULING “HACKS”
To help you avoid missing your sessions or forgetting you have them, please pick a slot from my open schedule that you know will work for you from week to week. This lends some predictability to the sessions.
Seeing you at a predictable time each week also helps me plan my chart reviews and organize my time effectively to serve you best.
SCHEDULING IN ADVANCE
Most individuals find it helpful to reserve their preferred sessions times a few weeks in advance to be guaranteed access to services at the times they need. You can always change the appointment in advance and whne your schedule changes.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Psychotherapy works better when there is continuity. I do not like providing sub-optimal services. If you miss sessions, my attempts to help you will become sub-optimal.
If you are coming on time and as scheduled, this section does not apply to you.
MISSING ONE SESSION
If you miss a scheduled session you will be charged for the session, unless you follow the cancellation policy below.
MISSING TWO OR MORE SESSIONS
If you miss two consecutive sessions, or any three sessions within a month, you will be discharged. You can always return when you are ready to commit to therapy.
LATENESS
I understand that occasionally you may be late. Life happens. No reason to feel embarrassed. If you arrive late, I will give you my full attention for the remainder of your appointment. Since I was there, you will be charged for the full fee. The end of the appointment will remain as originally scheduled.
LATENESS DUE TO AVOIDANCE
I get it, especially when you are getting into “important” stuff, it is not unusual for patients to use lateness to parse or avoid the session. Therapy sessions can be stressful as you work through things.
When you are running late, instead of missing the rest of the session, I invite you to come anyway, to make the best of the situation.
It is useful if you tell me when you feel avoidance, it means our work is advancing well. We can work on any feelings of avoidance you may be having.
CANCELLATION POLICY
24-HOURS NOTICE
To encourage you to cancel or reschedule with at least 24 hours notice, If you cancel at least 24 hours notice before your appointment, you will NOT be charged the full fee for the session.
I prefer that you give me 48 hours as a courtesy to other patients who may need the time you vacate.
CANCELLATION FEE
When you make an appointment, you reserve the exclusive use of my services. If you do not cancel your appointments early enough, you will be responsible for the fee, whether the service is provided or not. See below for exceptions.
IF YOU ARE NOT COMING, PLEASE LET ME KNOW
Please be so kind as to let me know if you need to cancel an appointment at the last minute, or if you cannot show up for your session. This allows me to offer the time to someone else, or catch-up with my other tasks.
TWO CANCELLATIONS IN-A-ROW
When you cancel twice in a row, whether in advance or not, I will not be able to continue working with you until you decide that you are committed to the work we were doing.
I will put future appointments on hold, until we can come to an understanding about the situation on the phone, on video, or in person.
If you do not call me or discuss this within a week of the last cancellation, I will discharge you. To be reinstated as my patient, all you have to do is call me and let me know you are back.
RETURNING AFTER ABSENCES
Sometimes, when people start psychotherapy, they may not be as ready for the work as they thought, obstacles may emerge, circumstances may change. No worries! Please let me know, so I can close your files.
Once you feel ready to return, you are welcome to call me to make an appointment. I will be delighted to restart work together in more optimal conditions for you.
AVAILABILITY
I am available every week during my scheduled working hours except In the following three situations:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
I stay current with the latest developments in my field by taking and presenting many courses and workshops.
To keep it easy, those times with be blocked out in my schedule. I try to prevent impact on my patients.
VACATIONS
To provide focused and top-quality services I take about two-months-off each year for re-charging. I invite you to do the same.
This includes the time between Dec 20 and January 4, and the end of the summer around August, when most patients are not available.
UNEXPECTED EVENTS
I reserve the right to cancel any appointment if one of my patients needs to be supported during a crisis.
I may also cancel if any member of my family is sick or being treated in a hospital (including myself), and if I need to attend a funeral.
You will not be responsible for any sessions I cancel. Thank you for understanding.