Confidentiality & Records
Your communications with your therapist will become part of a clinical record of treatment, and it is referred to as Protected Health Information (PHI). Your PHI will be stored electronically with Therapy Notes, a secure storage company who has signed a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA). The BAA ensures that they will maintain the confidentiality of your PHI in a HIPAA compatible secure format using point-to-point, Federally approved encryption. Your PHI may also be kept on our password protected computer system in an encrypted file format. In addition to having a signed BAA with all electronic platforms we use, all administrative staff have also signed a BAA. In the case that our staff needs to contact you regarding your account, your treatment or on behalf of your clinician, administrative staff has access to your contact information and may call you when your clinician is not able to do so.
Recording of any counseling session, whether in person or through technology of any kind, is prohibited unless the client is given prior authorization by the therapist.
Your therapist will always keep everything you say to them completely confidential, with the following exceptions: (1) You direct your therapist to tell someone else and you sign a “Release of Information” form; (2) Your therapist determines that you are a danger to yourself or to others; (3) You report information about the abuse of a child, an elderly person, or a disabled individual who may require protection please note that this includes and person or people who may have performed acts of abuse or neglect who still have access to children or the elderly; or (4) Your therapist is subpoenaed by a judge to disclose information. In the latter case, your therapist’s license does provide them with the ability to uphold what is legally termed “privileged communication.” Privileged communication is your right as a client to have a confidential relationship with a counselor. This state has a very good track record in respecting this legal right. If for some unusual reason a judge orders the disclosure of your private information, this order can be appealed. We cannot guarantee that the appeal will be sustained, but we will do everything in our power to keep what you say confidential.
Please note that in couples counseling, your therapist does not agree to keep secrets. Information revealed in any context may be discussed with either partner. Should you decide to bring another person to therapy, we cannot protect you from what you say in their company and we will adhere to any stipulations made in the Release of Information.
Case Consultation or Contact by Staff
We host confidential clinical consultations and case reviews to grow our clinician’s clinical expertise. Please bear in mind that in order to provide the best care for you and your family, your Clinician may work as part of a Care Team to support you through this consultative work. You may be asked to sign a Release of Information to place limitations or restrictions on what you would like shared between parties. In cases where Managers and Leadership must become involved to ensure that you are receiving the best possible care, one of our team members may contact you and/or may need to become familiar with your case in order to best serve those needs.
In the event of client discrepancies or complaints pertaining to operational policies, clinical policies, or clinical treatment, someone within Summit’s Edge’s management and leadership may be designated to assist in mitigating and resolving the matter. In this case, the designated member of leadership or management may contact you and/or may need to become familiar with your case in order to best assist.
Background Information, Theoretical Views, & Client Participation
This practice has partially and fully licensed therapists on staff. Information regarding your therapist's educational background and experience may be found on our website under their name. Please feel free to view that information at https://summitsedgecounseling.com
It is our belief that as people become more aware and accepting of themselves, they are more capable of finding a sense of peace and contentment in their lives. However, self-awareness and self-acceptance are goals that may take a long time to achieve. Some clients need only a few sessions to achieve these goals, whereas others may require months or even years of therapy. As a client, you are in complete control, and you may end your relationship with your therapist/group leader at any time. Please note that if it is in your best interest, your therapist may also determine that a referral is necessary.
In order for therapy to be most successful, it is important for you to take an active role. This means working on the things you and your therapist talk about both during and between sessions. This also means avoiding any mind-altering substances like alcohol or non-prescription drugs for at least eight hours prior to your therapy sessions. Generally, the more of yourself you are willing to invest, the greater the return. Please note that you may not be able to continue therapy if you consistently attend therapy intoxicated. If you arrive for your appointment and appear under the influence of substances, your therapist reserves the right to end the session and call other resources to transport you safely home. The session and transportation will be at the expense of the client. Should the client become resistant to this recommendation, law enforcement will be called.
Furthermore, it is our policy to only see clients who we believe have the capacity to resolve their own problems with our assistance. It is our intention to empower you in your growth process to the degree that you are capable of facing life’s challenges in the future without your therapist. We also don’t believe in creating dependency or prolonging therapy if the therapeutic intervention does not seem to be helping. If this is the case, your therapist will direct you to other resources that will be of assistance to you. Your personal development is our number one priority. We encourage you to let us know if you feel that transferring to another facility or another therapist is necessary at any time. Our goal is to facilitate healing and growth, and we are very committed to helping you in whatever way seems to produce maximum benefit. If at any point you are unable to keep your appointments or we don't hear from you after three months, we will need to close your chart. However, reopening your chart and resuming treatment at a future time may be an option.
After Hours Appointments
Our office hours are Monday - Thursday, 9am - 6pm, and Friday, 9am - 3pm. However, many clinicians see clients after hours. For appointments scheduled after hours, all payments will be collected prior to your session to ensure payment. If you would like to add a card or would like a different card charged for these appointments, please call our office during regular business hours to make your payment. If your card declines, our office staff will reach out to collect payment. If payment is not rendered prior to the close of business that day, your session time may be offered to another client.
Education and Supervision
Summit's Edge is an educational practice, providing opportunities for interns to shadow and co-facilitate therapy sessions, subject to client consent. Clients retain the right to opt out of this arrangement at any time. Additionally, Summit's Edge serves as a supervision site for pre-licensed therapists, meaning your therapist may receive clinical supervision from a fully licensed therapist. Weekly supervision meetings are held to uphold standards of proper treatment planning, ethical conduct, and ensure the provision of appropriate client care.
Professional Relationship
Psychotherapy is a professional service we will provide to you. Because of the nature of therapy, your relationship with your therapist has to be different from most relationships. It may differ in how long it lasts, the objectives, or the topics discussed. It must also be limited to only the relationship of therapist and client. If you and your therapist were to interact in any other ways, you would then have a "dual relationship," which could prove to be harmful to you in the long run and is, therefore, unethical in the mental health profession. Dual relationships can create conflicts between the therapist's interests and the client’s interests, in which case, the client’s (your) interests might not be put first. In order to offer all of our clients the best care, your therapist’s judgment needs to be unselfish and purely focused on your needs. This is why your relationship with your therapist must remain professional in nature.
Seeking support in terms of mental health means acknowledging and addressing your emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges with the support of trained professionals. It involves seeking assistance to navigate and overcome issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, or relationship difficulties. This process typically includes:
Recognition: Acknowledging that you are experiencing distress or difficulty in managing your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.
Acceptance: Embracing the idea that seeking help is a positive and courageous step towards improving your well-being.
Engagement: Actively participating in therapy, counseling, or other mental health interventions to explore and understand your challenges.
Collaboration: Working closely with mental health professionals to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs and goals.
Commitment: Making a commitment to attend therapy sessions regularly, practice therapeutic techniques, and implement positive changes in your life.
Self-care: Incorporating self-care practices into your daily routine to support your mental and emotional well-being.
Persistence: Understanding that progress in therapy may take time and effort, and staying committed to the process despite setbacks or challenges.
Empowerment: Gaining insight, skills, and coping strategies to effectively manage your mental health and lead a fulfilling life.
Emotional safety is a necessary component of the therapeutic rapport, alliance and progress. That being said, emotional safety is relative to their trauma narrative, identity, and self-awareness. Your therapist will make every effort as they are able in pursuit of your stated therapeutic goals to provide ethical safety through open discussion, pacing, compassion and curiosity.
Additionally, there are important differences between therapy and friendship. Friends may see your position only from their personal viewpoints and experiences. Friends may want to find quick and easy solutions to your problems so that they can feel helpful. These short-term solutions may not be in your long-term best interest. Friends do not usually follow up on their advice to see whether it was useful. They may need to have you do what they advise. A therapist offers you choices and helps you choose what is best for you. A therapist helps you learn how to solve problems and make better decisions in a thoughtful way. A therapist's responses to your situation are based on tested theories and methods of change.
You should also know that therapists are required to keep the identity of their clients confidential. As much as your therapist would like to, for your confidentiality, they will not address you in public unless you speak to them first. Your therapist also must decline any invitation to attend gatherings with your family or friends. They will also not research you at any time to learn more about you. They will assume that what you are telling them in therapy is true and that what you disclose in session is what you want them to know in order to best assist you. Lastly, when your therapy is completed, your therapist will not be able to be a friend to you like your other friends. In sum, it is the duty of your therapist to always maintain a professional role. Please note that these guidelines are not meant to be discourteous in any way, they are strictly for your long-term protection.
Statement Regarding Ethics, Client Welfare & Safety
Summit’s Edge, LLC assures you that our services will be rendered in a professional manner consistent with the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association and/or the American Counseling Association and/or the National Association of Social Workers and/or the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. If at any time you feel that your therapist is not performing in an ethical or professional manner, we ask that you please let them know immediately. If the two of you are unable to resolve your concern, please contact our office at 888-551-5168.
Due to the very nature of psychotherapy, as much as we would like to guarantee specific results regarding your therapeutic goals, we are unable to do so. However, your therapist, with your participation, will work to achieve the best possible results for you. Please also be aware that changes made in therapy may affect other people in your life. For example, an increase in your assertiveness may not always be welcomed by others. It is our intention to help you manage changes in your interpersonal relationships as they arise, but it is important for you to be aware of this possibility nonetheless.
Additionally, at times people find that they feel somewhat worse when they first start therapy before they begin to feel better. This may occur as you begin discussing certain sensitive areas of your life. However, a topic usually isn’t sensitive unless it needs attention. Therefore, discovering the discomfort is actually a success. Once you and your therapist are able to target your specific treatment needs and the particular modalities that work best for you, help is generally on the way.
In order to protect all staff members and clients, Summit’s Edge prohibits the possession or use of dangerous weapons on company property. Please leave all weapons including; guns, concealed carry weapons, and knives in your car or at home.