Welcome to my practice. This document contains important information about my professional services and business practices. Please read it carefully and jot down any questions you might have so that we can discuss them.

• Theoretical Approach
• Counseling Relationship
• Effects of Counseling
• Client Rights
• Referrals
• Fees
• Cancellation

Theoretical Approach
My theory of counseling includes helping individuals grow toward wholeness by addressing the conscious and unconscious elements of the mind. Helping clients gain greater personal self-knowledge and the capacity for improved relationships with themselves and with others is a focus of the therapeutic relationship.

Counseling Relationship
Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select. If you choose to work with me, we will meet weekly for approximately 50 minutes. If, however, you could benefit by having more than one session each week, I will make that recommendation. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise.

Although our sessions may be very intimate psychologically, ours is a professional relationship rather than a social one. Please do not invite me to social gatherings, offer me gifts, ask me to write references for you, or ask me to relate to you in any way other than the professional context of our counseling sessions.

Effects of Counseling
Psychotherapy has been shown to have benefits for people who undertake it. Therapy often leads to significant reduction in feelings of distress, better relationships, and resolution of specific problems. Risks sometimes exist as well. For example, you may experience uncomfortable feelings such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger and frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. Therefore, there are no guarantees about what will happen during the therapeutic process.

Client Rights
Some clients need only a few counseling sessions to achieve their goals; others may require months or even years of counseling. As a client, you are in complete control and may end our counseling relationship at any time though I do ask that you participate in a termination session.

I assure you that my services will be rendered in a professional manner consistent with accepted legal and ethical standards. If at any time for any reason you are dissatisfied with my services, please let me know.

Referrals
Should you and/or I believe that a referral is needed, I will provide some alternatives including programs and/or people who may be available to assist you. A verbal exploration of alternatives to counseling will also be made available upon request. You will be responsible for contacting and evaluating those referrals and/or alternatives.

Fees
In return for a fee of $125.00 for each 50-minute session, I agree to provide counseling services for you. The fee will be due at the conclusion of each session.

Cancellation
Once the appointment hour is scheduled, it is reserved specifically for you. Should you need to cancel your appointment, please provide 24 hours advance notice to avoid being charged for your reserved session.

I have provided a Microsoft Word file and an Adobe Acrobat file. You can choose either format to download and print as you are required to sign and date the document. At your first session I will review it with you. If you have any questions, please let me know prior to signing the document.