Scheduling and Fee Policies

Scheduling and Fee Policies

Fees:
Once we begin working together I typically see clients once a week or once every two weeks for a 50-minute session. The duration of your treatment and the frequency of your sessions will depend on the nature of your concerns and your individual needs. An initial free 15-minute phone consultation is available for new clients.

My regular fee for individual 50-minute sessions is $180. Full payment is due at the time of session. Cash, cheque, e-mail transfers, and credit cards are accepted.

Scheduling:
Your appointment time is very important. Regularly scheduled appointments are essential to the successful outcome of your treatment. I strive to accommodate the complexities of my client's schedules while maintaining some consistency in my own schedule. I will notify you well in advance about my vacation weeks or any need to change or cancel a scheduled appointment.

Cancellations, Time Changes and Missed Sessions:
My cancellation policy is 24-hours advance notice to avoid incurring a fee.

  • If you cancel an appointment for any reason with less than 24 hours notice, you will be responsible for paying the full fee.

Insurance Reimbursement and Low-Fee Options: 
Private counselling is not covered by MCP and I do not directly bill any insurance companies. I am a recognized vendor with WorkplaceNL and I direct bill this organization. Therefore, you will be responsible for full payment at each session. I can provide you with a statement which documents my fees and the payments you have made which you can then submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. The insurance company will send the reimbursement check directly to you. Each insurance company has their own policies and it is up to the individual client to determine their coverage and whether services provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW, BSW), or Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with a Master of Counselling (MC) are reimbursable.

Emergencies:
I wish to be helpful in times of intensified distress or difficulty. However, I may not always be available outside of our scheduled appointment time. It is important that you understand my possible limitations in this regard. In the case of an emergency, if you are unable to reach me, leave a message for me and immediately contact 911, your family physician or the nearest emergency room and ask for the mental health worker (i.e. psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) on call.

Confidentiality:
You have a right to privacy and confidentiality. This is essential to the success of our work together because it provides trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship. In fact, the law requires that I preserve your confidentiality. Your consent is required to release any information about you or your treatment with the following exceptions:

  • When a client threatens to harm him/herself, someone else or cause damage to property. In this case, your statements and/or behaviours may be reported to family, other appropriate mental health or law enforcement professionals to keep you and others safe;
  • When a file or counsellor receives a court subpoena;
  • When the counsellor has reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 years old has been, is, or will be at risk for abuse and/or neglect;
  • When the counsellor has reason to believe that a dependent adult is being abused;
  • If you request disclosure.

These situations are generally rare, and should such a situation occur, I will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking any action.

At your request, I will give specific information to your insurance company so that you may receive reimbursement. This information may include dates of appointments, specific topics discussed, and a treatment plan or summary. The data submitted will become part of the insurance company files and will probably be stored on a computer. Though all insurance companies claim to keep such records confidential, I have no control over what they do once the information is in their hands.

At times it may prove helpful to me to consult with other professionals about a case. During a consultation, I make every effort to avoid revealing the identity of my clients. The consultant is also legally bound to keep the information confidential.