Our Therapy Office Policies
Our updated therapy office policies allow for electronic registration and consent. You may also click on the links below for our forms, print, sign, and fax them back, or bring them into your first therapy visit. These are required by ethical standards for us to work together. Legally, you can only be seen for counseling with these forms.
Process of Therapy and Evaluation
Participation in therapy can result in many benefits to you, including improving interpersonal relationships and resolving the specific concerns that led you to seek therapy. Working toward these benefits requires effort on your part. Psychotherapy requires very active involvement, honesty, and openness in order to change your thoughts, feelings, and/or behavior. I will ask for your feedback and views on your therapy, its progress, and other aspects of the therapy, and I will expect you to respond openly and honestly.
Sometimes, more than one approach can be helpful in dealing with a certain situation. During evaluation or therapy, remembering or talking about unpleasant events, feelings, or thoughts can result in you experiencing considerable discomfort or strong feelings of anger, sadness, worry, fear, etc., or experiencing anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. Our therapy office policies outline how I may challenge some of your assumptions or perceptions or propose different ways of looking at, thinking about, or handling situations that can cause you to feel upset, angry, depressed, challenged, or disappointed.
Attempting to resolve issues that brought you to therapy in the first place, such as personal or interpersonal relationships, may result in changes that were not originally intended. Psychotherapy may result in decisions about changing behaviors, employment, substance use, schooling, housing, or relationships. Sometimes, a decision that is positive for one family member is viewed quite negatively by another family member. Change will sometimes happen quickly, but more often, it will take time and patience on your part. There is no guarantee that psychotherapy will yield positive or intended results; our therapy office policies indicate this.
During therapy, I will utilize various psychological and motivational approaches, in part to the problem being treated and my assessment of what will best benefit you. These approaches include but are not limited to behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, existential, system/family, developmental (adult, child, family), psycho-educational, or coaching techniques. Our therapy office policies outline the benefits and drawbacks
Therapy Office Policies: Treatment Plan Discussion
During the first session and throughout this process, I will discuss with you your understanding of the problem, treatment plan, therapeutic objectives, and your view of the possible outcomes of treatment.
If you have any unanswered questions about any of the procedures used during your therapy, their possible risks, my expertise in employing them, or the treatment plan, please ask. Our therapy office policies outline this as the most appropriate way for us to move forward; you will be answered fully. You also have the right to ask about other treatments for your condition and their risks and benefits. If you could benefit from any treatment I do not provide, I have an ethical obligation to assist you in obtaining those treatments. I will refer you to an appropriate specialist if necessary.
Therapy Office Policies: Dual Relationships
This is a small world; we may see each other in the community. If we see each other outside of the office, we smile and say hi in a friendly way, as we do with everyone in our community. Not all dual relationships are unethical or avoidable. However, sexual involvement between therapist and client is never part of the therapy process, as well as other actions or dual relationship situations that might impair your therapist’s objectivity, clinical judgment, or therapeutic effectiveness or that could be exploitative in nature. Our office policies are explicit surrounding dual relationships.
In addition, I will never acknowledge working therapeutically with anyone without his/her written permission. In some instances, even with permission, I will preserve the integrity of our working relationship. For this reason, I will not accept any invitations via social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Pinterest, nor will I respond to blogs written by clients or accept comments on my blog from clients.
Therapy Office Policies: Termination, Transfer, and Referral
During the initial intake process and the first couple of sessions, I will assess if I can benefit you. If you have requested online consultation, my assessment will include your suitability for psychotherapy delivered via technology. I do not accept clients who, in my opinion, I cannot help. In such a case, I will give you a number of referrals that you may contact.
If, at any point during psychotherapy, I assess that I am not effective in helping you reach your therapeutic goals, I am obliged to discuss this with you up to and including termination of treatment. In such a case, I would give you a number of referrals that may be of help to you. Our therapy office policies indicate If you request and authorize it in writing; I will talk to the psychotherapist of your choice to help with the transition.
If at any time you want another professional’s opinion or wish to consult with another therapist, I will assist you in finding someone qualified, and if I have your written consent, I will provide her or him with the essential information needed. You have the right to terminate therapy at any time. If you choose to do so, I will provide you with names of other qualified professionals whose services you might prefer.
Therapy Office Policies: Privacy and Confidentiality
All information disclosed within sessions and the written records pertaining to those sessions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission except where disclosure is required by law. Likewise, you are expected to keep our communications confidential and understand that all records of communication between client and therapist remain the property of Tamara Pommells LPC LCADC. Verbal material from therapy sessions remains in the client’s record and should never be revealed publicly unless both client and therapist agree.
Our therapy office policies indicate that most provisions explaining when the law requires disclosure were described in the Notice of Privacy Practices you received with this form.
Therapy Office Policies: When Law Requires Disclosure
Some of the circumstances where the law requires disclosure are where there is a reasonable suspicion of child, dependent, or elder abuse or neglect and where a client presents a danger to self, to others, to property, or is gravely disabled (for more details see also Notice of Privacy Practices form). Our therapy office policies are explicit about this issue.
Therapy Office Policies: When Disclosure May Be Required
Disclosure may be required pursuant to a legal proceeding. If you are involved in a custody dispute or if you place your mental status at issue in litigation initiated by you, the defendant may have the right to obtain the psychotherapy records and/or testimony by me. In couple and family therapy, or when different family members are seen individually, confidentiality and privilege do not apply between the couple or among family members. I will use my clinical judgment when revealing such information. I will not release records to any outside party unless I am authorized by all adult family members who were part of the treatment. Our therapy office policies fully outline when disclosure is appropriate.
Therapy Office Policies: Harm to Self or Others
If there is an emergency during our work together, or in the future after termination, In which I become concerned about your personal safety, the possibility of you injuring someone else, or about you receiving proper psychiatric care, I will do whatever I can within the limits of the law, to prevent you from injuring yourself or others and to ensure that you receive the proper medical care. For this purpose, I may also contact the police, hospital, or an emergency contact whose name you have provided.
Confidentiality of Online, Cell Phone, and Fax Communication
We communicate via email for scheduling purposes only. All therapeutic issues are discussed in the office. Additionally,
- Text messaging via mobile phone is acceptable for appointments and housekeeping issues only.
- I do not store your name on my phone.
- If you call me, please be aware that the conversation may not be confidential due to mobile phones’ nature.
- If you send a fax to me, my fax is secure.
- Any computer files referencing our communication are maintained using secure and encrypted measures.
- I will not respond to personal and clinical concerns via regular email.
- If you wish to use email to “journal” information between sessions, you understand that I may not have the opportunity to review your journal emails until our next scheduled session.
- You understand that emails between sessions that contain confidential information may be intercepted in transmission.
I make every effort to keep all information confidential. Likewise, If we are working online together, I ask that you determine who has access to your computer and electronic information from your location. This would include family members, co-workers, supervisors, and friends and whether or not confidentiality from your work or personal computer may be compromised. I encourage you to only communicate through a computer that you know is safe, i.e., wherein confidentiality can be ensured. Be sure to exit all online counseling sessions and emails fully.
If you used location-based services on your mobile phone, you may wish to be aware of the privacy issues related to using these services. I do not place my practice as a check-in location on various sites such as Foursquare. However, if you have GPS tracking enabled on your device, it is possible that others may surmise that you are a therapy client due to regular check-ins at my office on a weekly basis. Please be aware of this risk if you are intentionally “checking in” from my office or have a passive LBS app enabled on your phone.
It is not a regular part of my practice to search for client information online through search engines such as Google or social media sites such as Facebook. Extremely rare exceptions may be made during times of crisis.
If I have a reason to suspect that you are in danger and you have not been in touch with me via our usual means (coming to appointments, phone, or email), there might be an instance in which using a search engine (to find you, find someone close to you, or to check on your recent status updates) becomes necessary as part of ensuring your welfare. These are unusual situations, and if I ever resort to such means, I will fully document it and discuss it with you when we next meet.
Therapy Office Policies: Litigation Limitation
Due to the nature of the therapeutic process and the fact that it often involves making a full disclosure concerning many matters that may be of a confidential nature, it is agreed that should there be legal proceedings (such as, but not limited to, divorce and custody disputes, injuries, lawsuits, etc.), neither you (client) nor your attorney, nor anyone else acting on your behalf will call on me to testify in court or at any other proceeding, nor will disclosure of the psychotherapy records be requested.
Therapy Office Policies: Consultation and Peer Supervision
I consult regularly with other professionals regarding my clients; however, the client’s name or other identifying information is never disclosed. The client’s identity remains completely anonymous, and confidentiality is fully maintained.
Considering all of the above exclusions, if it is still appropriate, upon your request, I will release information to any agency/person you specify unless I conclude that releasing such information might be harmful in any way.
Therapy Office Policies: Telephone and Emergency Procedures
If you need to speak with me between sessions to alert me of an emergency, please call 609.752.3098. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Messages are checked daily (but never during the nighttime). Messages are checked less frequently on weekends and holidays. If an emergency situation arises that requires immediate attention, you may call the emergency National Suicide Hotline at 800-784-2433 or dial 911. If a life-threatening crisis should occur, you agree to contact a crisis hotline, call 911, or go to a hospital emergency room.
Therapy Office Policies: Fee for Service and Our Cancellation Policy
My website posts current rates for therapeutic services. My practice is “fee for service, ” which means that fees are due at your appointment. I participate in insurance panels as an out-of-network provider; please check your coverage and deductibles.
Session payments via credit or debit card can be processed through Google Checkout or PayPal or with the Square invoice sent to you after our sessions. Sessions are generally purchased in 45 and 60-minute increments.
Since scheduling an appointment involves reserving time specifically for you, a minimum of 24-hour notice is required for rescheduling or canceling an appointment. Unless we reach a different agreement, the full fee will be charged for sessions missed without such notification.
If we are scheduled for an online synchronous chat, audio, or video conference and we are unable to connect or are disconnected during a session due to a technological breakdown, please try to reconnect within 10 minutes. If re-connection is impossible, contact me to schedule a new session time.
Therapy Office Policies:DISPUTES, COMPLAINTS AND RATINGS
You may find my psychotherapy practice on sites such as Yelp, Healthgrades, Yahoo Local, Bing, or other places that list businesses. Some of these sites include forums where users rate their providers and add reviews. Many of these sites comb search engines for business listings and automatically add listings regardless of whether the business has added itself to the site. If you should find my listing on any of these sites, please know that my listing is not a request for a testimonial, rating, or endorsement from you as my client. Asking for a testimonial from you is unethical practice on my part.
If you do choose to write on a business review site, I hope you will consider that you may be sharing personally revealing information in a public forum. I urge you to create a pseudonym that is not linked to your regular email address or friend networks for your privacy and protection.
Please be aware that if you have a complaint you want me to know about, I may not see your post on a review site. I hope you will personally discuss your concerns with me. If you do have a complaint or concern about my services and you are not comfortable discussing the matter with me, you may make an inquiry to our licensing boards.
All disputes arising out of or in relation to this agreement to provide psychotherapy services shall first be referred to mediation before and as a pre-condition of initiating arbitration. The mediator shall be a neutral third party chosen by agreement of Tamara Pommells LPC LCADC, ACS, and the client(s). The cost of such mediation, if any, shall be split equally unless otherwise agreed. In the event that mediation is unsuccessful, any unresolved controversy related to this agreement should be submitted to and settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, which are in effect at the time the demand for arbitration is filed.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that your account is overdue (unpaid) and there is no agreement on a payment plan, I can use legal means (court, collection agency, etc.) to obtain payment. The prevailing party in arbitration or collection proceedings shall be entitled to recover a reasonable sum for attorney’s fees. In the case of arbitration, the arbitrator will determine that sum.
Therapy Office Policies: LIMITATIONS REGARDING ONLINE THERAPY
You, as the client, understand that distance therapy is a different experience as compared to in-person sessions, among those being the lack of “personal” face-to-face interactions and the lack of visual and audio cues in the therapy process, which you may have previously come to expect. Clients understand that telephone/online psychotherapy with me is not a substitute for medication under the care of a psychiatrist or doctor. You understand that online and telephone therapy is not appropriate if you are experiencing a crisis or having suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
As stated previously, if a life-threatening crisis should occur, you agree to contact a crisis hotline, call 911, or go to a hospital emergency room.
You also understand that I follow the laws and professional regulations of the State of New Jersey (USA), and the psychotherapy treatment will be considered to take place in New Jersey (USA) or other states to which I hold a license to practice psychotherapy. Typically, I do not conduct online therapy with clients whose permanent domicile is outside my license jurisdiction. Any online sessions are consultations only and should be viewed as such.
References for Therapy Office Policies
American Counseling Association. (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
Anthony, K. & Goss, S. (2009). Guidelines for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy 3rd Edition including Guidelines for Online Supervision. BACP Publishing, Rugby
Anthony, K. & Nagel, D.M. (2009). Online therapy: A practical guide. Sage Publishing: London.
Kolmes, K. (2010, February 1). Private Practice Social Media Policy. (Retrieved April 21, 2012) from http://www.drkkolmes.com/docs/socmed.pdf
Kolmes, K., Nagel, D.M. & Anthony, K. (2011). An Ethical Framework for the Use of Social Media by Mental Health Professionals. Therapeutic Innovations in Light of Technology, Vol 1 (3): 20-29
Nagel, Deanna. “Informed Consent | Mental Health on the Web.” Mental Health on the Web RSS. Deanna Nagel, n.d. Web. 23 Aug. 2013
Please download and sign the attached policies as indicated above.
Holistic Behavioral Solutions Therapy Office Policies
All clients are required to read and sign Holistic Behavioral Solutions informed consent and policy documents prior to their first visit.
Please note that you may schedule an appointment by calling the office only. Your scheduled appointment indicates acceptance of our regularly updated HIPAA and informed consent policies.
If you are in crisis or this is a life-threatening emergency, go to the nearest emergency room for assistance. They will have someone to help you there. Office and online appointments are NOT appropriate for acute and crisis situations. If you are a current client, please contact me, and we will discuss AFTER someone sees you in the emergency room.
In counseling sessions, confidentiality is key. Your confidence is safeguarded with the exceptions of harm to self or others. This is outlined in the informed disclosure above.
You will be seen according to your confirmed appointment, we use an online scheduling system which will send a reminder email. We have gotten great feedback on this tool and continue to use it in our practice. There are several time options when you schedule including abbreviated sessions and extended sessions, please book the one that works best for you. If the office is closed, you will be unable to book an appointment.
If you need a session that is unavailable, please email us, and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule. You are important to us. The office is open every day except Sunday. We have extended hours and a quick response time.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and read our policies. Feel free to contact us with questions. It is a lot of info, but there is a lot to cover.
Therapy Office Policies and The Holistic Store
We are affiliated with a dispensary where we source premium holistic and natural remedies. This is provided as a convenience and benefit of our practice. Clients are not obligated to purchase supplements here, and you do not have to be a client to benefit from this online store. We use this store personally and brought it over to share. Feel free to check out our store for products that help you feel your best, making it easier to open up and connect on a deeper level.