All communications between a client and a client’s therapist/counselor are held in strict confidence unless a client provides written permission to release information about treatment. If a client participates in couples or family therapy, a therapist/counselor will not disclose confidential information about their treatment to any third party unless all person(s) who participated in the treatment together provide their written authorization to release such information.

Exceptions: There are exceptions to confidentiality. For example, therapists are required to report instances of suspected child, dependent adult or elder abuse. Therapists may also be required or permitted to break confidentiality when they have determined that a client presents a serious danger of physical violence to themself or another person.

Minors and Confidentiality: Communications between therapists and clients who are minors (under the age of 18) are confidential. However, parents and other guardians who provide authorization for their child’s treatment are often involved in their treatment. Consequently, your therapist, in the exercise of professional judgment, may discuss the treatment progress of a minor client with the parent or caretaker. Clients who are minors and their parents are urged to discuss any questions or concerns that they have on this topic with their therapist.

No Secrets Policy: A “no-secrets” policy is used when conducting family or couples therapy. This means if you participate in couples or family therapy, information communicated privately may be used when working with other members of the couple or family. Please feel free to ask about the “no secrets” policy and how it may apply to you.

Brandy L. Hall, LMFT, APCC Rates

• $135 per 45-minute session

• $180 per 55-60-minute session

• $225 per 75-minute session

• $45 Late Cancellation/No Show Fee

Karen Lee, LMFT Rates

• 50-minute Sessions - $200 (Individual Therapy)

• 75-minute Sessions - $300 (Individual, Couples or Family Therapy)

• 90-minute Sessions – $350 (Individual, Couples or Family Therapy)

Session fees are payable at the time that services are rendered. Payment can be made payable to Esse Counseling & Consulting, Inc. by credit card. Please ask your provider if you wish to discuss a written agreement that specifies an alternative payment procedure. All missed appointments will be charged at the scheduled session rate.

Esse Counseling and Consulting is an in-network provider for most Aetna Plans. Clients using their Aetna plans for services are responsible for paying copayments and coinsurance according to the terms of their plan. Some clients have plans that require that they initially pay for services out-of-pocket until they reach a limit, and then pay a copayment or coinsurance thereafter. We recommend contacting Aetna to ensure you understand your plan prior to starting services.

If you have a PPO that allows out-of-network providers, you may choose to seek reimbursement from your health insurance. Esse Counseling & Consulting, Inc. will provide you with a statement, which you can submit to the third-party of your choice of fees already paid. The amount of reimbursement and the amount of any co-payments or deductible depends on the requirements of your specific insurance plan.

You should be aware that insurance plans generally limit coverage to certain diagnosable mental conditions. You should also be aware that you are responsible for verifying and understanding the limits of your insurance coverage. Although your provider is happy to assist your efforts to seek insurance reimbursement, we are unable to guarantee whether your insurance will provide payment for the services provided to you. Please discuss any questions or concerns that you may have about this with your therapist.

If for some reason you find that you are unable to continue paying for your therapy, you should inform your therapist. Your therapist will help you to consider any options that may be available to you at that time.

Sessions are typically scheduled to occur one time per week at the same time and day if possible. Your provider may suggest a different frequency depending on the nature and severity of your concerns. Your consistent attendance greatly contributes to a successful outcome.

To cancel or reschedule an appointment, you are expected to notify your provider at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead of the scheduled appointment or missed appointments (no shows) will be charged the late cancellation fee for the session. Please understand that your insurance company will not pay for missed or cancelled sessions.

We are not able to grant refunds for services used, such as:

Completed sessions.

Sessions missed by the client.

Sessions canceled by the client less than 24 hours prior to the session’s start time.

As a general rule, if your call is not urgent, important issues are better addressed within regularly scheduled sessions. However, if you need to contact your therapist between sessions, please leave a message with your name and phone number any time on the confidential voicemail. If you have an urgent need to speak to your provider, please indicate that in your message. Every effort will be made to return your call as soon as possible. Non-urgent phone calls are returned during the provider’s normal workdays within 24 hours.

In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency or an emergency involving a threat to your safety or the safety of others, please call 911 and/or go to your nearest emergency room for immediate assistance.

You should also be aware of the following resources that are available in the local community to assist individuals who are in crisis:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Crisis Text Line: Text the word HOME to 741-741

Your provider may need to communicate with you by telephone or other means. Please indicate your preference during intake. Please be sure to inform your provider if you do not wish to be contacted at a particular time or place, or by a particular means.

Sensitive, clinical information is to be discussed over the phone or in-session as deemed appropriate by the therapist. For appropriate email or text communication therapist will respond to your email or text within 24 hours. Potential risks of using electronic communication may include but are not limited to:

• inadvertent sending of an email or text containing confidential information to the wrong recipient,

• theft or loss of the computer,

• laptop or mobile device storing confidential information, and

• interception by an unauthorized third party through an unsecured network.

• Email messages may contain viruses or other defects.

It is your responsibility to ensure your email messages are virus-free. In addition, email or text communication may become part of the clinical record. You may be charged for time the therapist spends reading and responding email or text messages.

The length of your treatment and the timing of the eventual termination of your treatment depend on the specifics of your treatment plan and the progress you achieve. It is a good idea to plan for your termination, in collaboration with your therapist. Your therapist will discuss a plan for termination with you as you approach the completion of your treatment goals.

You may discontinue therapy at any time. If you or your therapist determines that you are not benefiting from treatment, either of you may elect to initiate a discussion of your treatment alternatives. Treatment alternatives may include, among other possibilities, referral, changing your treatment plan, or terminating your therapy.