Policies Change and Growth Therapy Center
In order to have a harmonic therapeutic relationship, it is important to clarify the policies governing the business of therapy. Because my focus is on having good boundaries and avoiding any conflict which could get in between the therapist and the client, I describe the policies governing our business interactions.
1- The therapy session lasts 1 hour. 50 minutes will be used for therapy and 10 minutes will be used for documentation purposes.
2- Therapy sessions might be canceled up to 24 hours in advance. If a session is canceled on the same day, the client will be responsible for the full session amount as the time has been blocked for the client’s use.
3- If a client uses insurance, this therapist will charge the client the contractual fee Change and Growth has with the insurance company. For example, if you have a co-pay of 25 dollars and the company pays 50 dollars, the amount Change and Growth receives for the service is 75 dollars. An insured client who cancels the session on the same day it is scheduled will be responsible for the full session amount, which in this case it will amount to 75 dollars. The same ruling applies to EAP.
4- If a client has an emergency and cancels on the same day, the client has also the option of rescheduling the session WITHIN THE SAME WEEK. In this case, the missed session will not be charged. Make-up therapy sessions are a courtesy and are available as the schedule allows, up to seven days from the missed appointment. If the client cancels the new appointment then the client will be charged the full amount of the session.
5- If a client requests documentation which will be completed out of the session, a fee will apply. It might run from 30 dollars for a simple letter up to 100 dollars for more complex reports. The fee amount will be disclosed at the time of the request and the payment will be due at the time of delivery of such a document.
6- There are times in which situations make an extended session necessary. When it happens, the client will be charged on increments of 15 minutes. This policy applies to both private pay clients, as well as insured clients, as insurance companies will not allow us to bill them for partial sessions. So, the extra time will be charged to the client using the contractual price as a guideline.
7- In order to have good use of the time, it is important to be timely. If a client arrives late to the appointment the session will be cut short, accordingly with the time of tardiness.
8- This worker is available to assist you from 8 am to 8 pm by text. If a message is received after 8 pm or before 8 am it might not be answered until the next business hours. If a client has a life-threatening emergency, the client is recommended to call 911 or to go to the nearest emergency room. A CLIENT SHOULD NEVER WAIT TO GET HELP FROM THIS THERAPIST IF HE/SHE BECOMES SUICIDAL. THE CLIENT SHOULD GET IMMEDIATE HELP. HE SHOULD EITHER GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL THE SUICIDE HELPLINE AT 1-800-273-8255.
9- The expected response time is of 24 hours during weekdays and 48 hours on weekends.
10- During a vacation time the therapist is free of the obligation of answering text messages or phone calls. The clients will be provided with a colleague’s name for an emergency or they could talk to their psychiatrist.
11- If anyone wants an appointment during weekends, exceptions may be made on a case to case basis and the client will be responsible for the full private pay fee.
12- This worker accepts cash, checks, Zelle transfers and credit, and debit card payments. Please be aware that if paying with a credit/debit card, a convenience fee of 5 dollars will be added. Payment is due at the time when the service is provided.
(561) 635-2431