In the case of serious thoughts of suicide, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911.
For non life-threatening but serious emotional distress, please call my mobile number and send a text (843-224-0421 Please check my outgoing office voicemail (843-571-4005) to see if I am available. If you are unable to reach me and feel that you can’t wait for me to return your call, contact your physician or the nearest emergency room and ask for the psychologist or psychiatrist on call.
When I am unavailable for an extended time, my office (843-571-4005) outgoing voicemail message will indicate that.
After the first after-hours call during your course of treatment, I may charge $50 for emergency calls.
Confidentiality and its limits
Your sessions are confidential. Information concerning your professional services by a psychologist is protected by the psychologist-patient privilege law. I cannot provide any information without your written authorization or a court order.
However, there are some situations where I am permitted or required to disclose information without either your consent or authorization. If any such situation arises, I will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking any action and I will limit my disclosure to what is necessary.
Threat of harm to self or others
If I believe that a patient presents a clear and substantial risk of imminent, serious harm to self or other, I may be required to take protective action, including notifying the potential victim and/or family members, contacting the police, and/or seeking hospitalization for the patient. In such situations, I may have to reveal some information about your symptoms, diagnosis or treatment in order to protect you or others.
If I receive information that gives me reason to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect, or by acts or omissions that would be abuse or neglect if committed by a parent or other