Formal Education and Credentials
Saint Michael's College, VT- May 2020
Rostered Psychotherapist
VT License # 097.0134715
Clinical Experience
NFI Vermont Community Based Services October 2019-January 2021
Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center August 2019-January 2020
NFI Vermont Hospital Diversion June 2015-June 2020
Bellcate School August 2015-August 2016
The Purpose of Mental Health Counseling
Counseling is a collaborative process. Together we will address emotional, behavioral, and relational issues that you find necessary or that interfere with optimal functioning. As your therapist, I will provide support, diagnostic information, feedback, a treatment plan, suggestions for readings/education, referrals as needed, and space for you to explore all of the above. Please remember that psychotherapy is a challenging and sometimes difficult process based on communication and a deepening level of trust.
Methods and Duration of Treatment
My training is in psychodynamic psychotherapy, mainly as a strength and client-centered approach. I am also trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The treatment I will use, and the duration of treatment will depend on your history, current circumstances, the issues we explore, and our mutually established therapy goals. Regardless of the treatment methods used, the focus will be on empowering you to make the changes you wish to make. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have about my experience, training, methods I use in treatment, or your treatment process.
Confidentiality
Information disclosed in psychotherapy is confidential. There may be times when you and I decide it would be helpful for me to speak to someone else about your treatment, such as a physician. In these instances, information may be disclosed if you permit me in writing to do so. The limits to confidentiality are the following:
1. Many insurance companies require treatment plans and diagnostic information before payment will be made if you are using insurance.
2. If in my clinical judgment, I determine that you are in imminent danger of hurting yourself or another person and no safety plan can be established, I am required to alert others.
3. I am legally required to report situations that involve abuse or neglect of children, adults who are incompetent, or adults who are physically or mentally disabled.
4. As part of my supervision process, my supervisor, Beth Robbins, PsyD, will have access to my progress notes.
Appointments and Cancellations
Sessions are 50 minutes long. It is essential that you arrive on time. If you are late, you will be unable to use your full appointment but will still be financially responsible for the entire session. I will wait 15 minutes for a late client but will feel free to leave if I have not heard from you by then. My cancellation policy is as follows:
- Please notify me by voice mail, text, or email at least 24 hours in advance if you cannot keep your scheduled appointment. If you can give me more time than that, this is appreciated.
- Notification at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment will result in no charge for the appointment.
- Notice less than 24 hours in advance of your appointment will result in a charge for the FULL FEE (i.e., $125 or our agreed-upon fee), which will be billed directly to you, the client. Insurance will not pay for missed or canceled appointments. Payment will be expected by the next scheduled appointment unless we make other arrangements.
- If missed appointments or cancellations represent, a pattern termination of treatment may be indicated.
Fees and Payments
My out-of-pocket fee for individuals is $125 for a 50-minute session and my marital/family session fee is $150 for a 60-minute session. Phone calls, other than for scheduling, will be pro-rated at the hourly rate of $125 (or our agreed-upon fee.) I reserve the right to charge interest on all accounts overdue by over 30 days of one percent monthly. There will be a $25 fee for all returned checks.
I do accept some, but not all, insurances. If you are unsure about whether or not I accept your health insurance, please ask me. If your insurance plan changes or lapses, you are responsible to notify me of the change. If you do not inform me, and I either do not take your new insurance or cannot receive reimbursement from your insurance company for any reason, you will be charged my full fee. It is your responsibility to understand your health insurance policy coverage limitations and to ensure you have received prior authorization for outpatient mental health services if required by your policy.
Please feel free to discuss payment questions or problems with me if you anticipate any difficulties. Should collection action ever be necessary, I reserve the right to use a collection agency and/or pursue traditional court-assisted collection methods. If this is necessary, you will be responsible for any attorney fees and court costs.
Emergencies
If you have a life-threatening mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local emergency room. As an independent practitioner, I do not have the capacity to respond to crises. If there is a mental health crisis – please use First Call 802-488-7777. I will want to know that you are experiencing a crisis and receiving help. It is possible to contact me by cell phone at 802-518-0090; however, please understand that this is not meant to be a crisis service, and there are extended times when I am away from my cell phone or am occupied. I do charge a pro-rated fee for these phone calls, which will not be covered by insurance.
Office of Professional Regulation
The Office of Professional Regulation provides Vermont licensees, certifications, and registrations for over 37,000 practitioners and businesses. Thirty-nine professions and occupations are supported and managed by this office. A list of professions regulated is found below.
Each profession or occupation is governed by laws defining professional conduct. Consumers who have inquiries or wish to obtain a form to register a complaint may do so by calling: (802) 828-2372, or by writing to the Director of the Office, Secretary of State, 26 Terrace Street, Drawer 09, Montpelier, Vermont, 05609-1106.
Upon receipt of a complaint, an administrative review determines if the issues raised are covered by the applicable professional conduct statute. If so, a committee is assigned to investigate, collect information, and recommend action or closure to the governing body.
All complaint investigations are confidential. Should the investigation conclude with a decision for disciplinary action against a professional's license and ability to practice, the name of the license holder will then be made public.
Complaint investigations focus on licensure and fitness of the licensee to practice. Disciplinary action, when warranted, ranges from a warning to revocation of license, based on the circumstances. You should not expect a return of fees paid or additional unpaid services as part of the results of the process. If you seek restitution of this nature, consider consulting with the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General, retaining an attorney, or filing a case in Small Claims Court.
My practice is governed by the Rules of the Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners. It is unprofessional conduct to violate those rules. A copy of the rules may be obtained from the Board or online at www.sec.state.vt.us
Client's Disclosure Confirmation
My signature acknowledges that I have been given the clinician's professional qualifications and experiences named above, a listing of actions that constitute unprofessional conduct according to Vermont statutes, and the method for making a consumer inquiry or filing a complaint with the Office of Professional Regulation. This information was given to me no later than my third office or telehealth visit.