DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Welcome!

Choosing to participate in counseling is an important decision.  Feeling comfortable with the therapist you choose and hopeful about the process are important factors that can impact outcomes of counseling.  I am providing this document to help you understand more about me, how I work, and what your rights and responsibilities are as a client.

About Me

I have been a counseling professional since 2008. I have a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Child, Couple and Family Therapy from Antioch University Seattle and a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree from Florida State University.  I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the State of Washington #LF60210903. I hold the designation of Child Mental Health Specialist (CMHS) in the State of Washington. I specialize in gifted and twice-exceptional individuals where gifted areas are often accompanied by anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, or learning challenges. I have completed an additional 500+ hours in training around giftedness and twice exceptionality. I worked for eight years as a school counselor at an independent school for highly capable learners in Bellevue, WA. I am the parent of profoundly gifted/twice exceptional young adults who are now in college. I know the highs and lows of this journey well!

My Therapeutic Orientation

My approach is pragmatic and holistic, and takes into consideration a person’s strengths, relationships, environments in which they live and work, and their neurological/cognitive profile. I utilize the following in my practice:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on how our thinking affects our emotions and behaviors.  It is an evidence-based approach for anxiety and depression.
• Teaching concepts of Neuroscience is one of my favorite ways to engage bright young clients in understanding how their brain works and the value of neurodiversity. Providing this type of education often depathologizes diagnostic labels and often elicits more engagement and buy-in to the therapeutic process. 
• Relational or Family Systems Therapy I keep in mind the relational context in which clients experience their symptoms. Many challenges, like anxiety and ADHD, have a genetic component and I typically include family work to get the best results. I often include modules of family stress management and family communication strategies to benefit the entire household.
• I completed training in 2020 with Eli Lebowitz of the Yale Child Study Center in SPACE Anxiety Training for Parents. This is an effective evidence-based treatment for anxiety in children where the child is not required to participate.

About Confidentiality

The information shared in a therapeutic session, for anyone age 13 and above, is confidential and protected by law, and will be maintained except in the following unusual circumstances in which I am ethically and legally bound to release otherwise confidential information. They are: 

• If I am ordered by a court of law to do
• If I have evidence of intent to physically injure another person 
• If I have concern about someone’s safety and believe they are a danger to   themselves 
• If I become aware that a minor, a developmentally-disabled person of any age, or an elderly adult is being abused
• Or as otherwise permitted by law 

There are two instances where I may share information about your case with colleagues. The first is when I utilize the services of other mental health professionals for case consultations. This helps me give high-quality treatment. Your circumstances, but not your identity, may be discussed in such a consultation. My colleagues are also bound by the same rules of confidentiality as I am. Second, when I am away from the office on vacation, I may have a trusted fellow therapist cover for me. This therapist will be available to you in emergencies, and will benefit from information about you. Again, this therapist is bound by the same laws and rules as I am to protect your confidentiality.  Please let me know if you have any objections to either of these instances. 

In co-parenting counseling or work with children whose parents are litigating parenting plans or agreements, I maintain strict confidentiality of records as protected by HIPPA and Washington State Law. This means I will NOT release any records to be used in court proceedings, nor do I provide testimony in family law cases. I will not respond to an attorney’s request for information on either side. This is my firm policy and is protected by the Counselor/Client Privilege Rule adopted in 2009 by the State of Washington. 

If your records need to be seen by another professional, or anyone else, I will discuss it with you. If you agree to share these records, you will ask you to sign a ‘Release of Information’ form. This form states exactly what information is to be shared, with whom and for what purpose, and also sets time limits. If I must discontinue our therapeutic relationship because of illness, disability, or other presently unforeseen circumstances, I may ask you to agree to my transferring your records to another therapist who will assure their confidentiality, preservation, and appropriate access. You have the right to decline this request.

Appointments

**Update March 15, 2021: I have started to see clients in my office in accordance with King County's current COVID-19 Guidance and Restrictions.**

Appointments vary in length and frequency. The most common appointment length 50 minutes, while some couples and families appointments might require an extended appointment time of 90 minutes. My availability is during our scheduled time, although I can typically respond to phone calls and emails within 24 hours on weekdays. If you cannot make an appointment, please let me know as early as possible since I often have a waiting list of previous clients seeking a single “check-in” session. I offer (1) same-day cancellation at no charge, but after that one time I bill for 50% of my fee if you cancel the same day.  I bill 100% of the fee for a no-show without notice. Some exceptions may apply.  

Fees 

My fees are $100 per 30 minute session, $160 per 50 minute session and $240 per 90 minute session. The rate is the same for individual, couple and family counseling, as well as parent consultation services. Fees are due at the time service is provided by cash, check, or credit card. I provide a secure payment button on my website that accepts PayPal and all major credit cards at https://lhutchinson.com.

Telephone calls, Emails, and School Visits

Email communication at laurenhutchinson1@gmail.com is the most efficient method of communicating questions about scheduling and to ask brief questions. Privacy and confidentiality cannot be guaranteed with information shared over the Internet. Your use of email with me indicates your understanding and acceptance of privacy and confidentiality limitations through Internet transmission.

I am available to attend school meetings (IEP or 504), and/or consult with school personnel as needed at my standard fee, plus $.49 per mile from Bellevue, WA (98004).

Insurance

I am currently not billing insurance at this time. I can provide you with a coded superbill at the end of each month with appropriate diagnostic, procedure, and setting codes. I can provide this for both in-person and Telehealth sessions. Please check with your insurance company to see how they reimburse for out-of-network providers and if they reimburse for Telehealth. Reimbursement amounts vary among insurance plans and providers. I do not guarantee reimbursement by your insurance provider, so please check your plan before our first session.

Emergencies

Because of other work commitments, I am often unable to accommodate emergency requests for appointments, but your safety is very important to me. If you have an emergency, please call the Crisis Clinic (206.461.3222) or go to your closest emergency room for immediate assistance. Both of these resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   

Notice to Clients

I strive to meet the highest level of ethical and professional levels of conduct. If you are not satisfied with any area of our work together, please raise your concerns with me as soon as you are able. I am open to feedback and learning, and will make every effort to hear any concerns or complaints you have and seek resolution. As required by WAC 246.810.031, this informs clients of registered counselors in the State of Washington that they may file a complaint with the Department of Health at any time they believe a counselor has demonstrated unprofessional conduct. Counselors practicing counseling for a fee must be registered with the department of health for the protection of the public health and safety. Registration of an individual with the department does not include a recognition of any practice standards, nor necessarily implies the effectiveness of any treatment.  It is every client’s right to discontinue treatment at any time, with or without notice to the treatment provider.  Questions or complaints may be directed to the Department of Health, Health Professionals Quality Assurance, P.O. Box 47865, Olympia, WA 98504-7865, (360) 236-4700. 

Discrimination

I take a strong stand against any form of discrimination, including these factors: race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital/family status, religious beliefs, political beliefs, place of residence, veteran status, physical ability, health status, or criminal record unrelated to level of present dangerousness. I will always take steps to advance and support the values of equal opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. I will seek to understand your culture and beliefs and integrate that into the work we do. If you feel you have been discriminated against, please bring this to my attention immediately and I will listen and learn. I am an ally for gender non-conforming children, teens, and young adults. 

Your responsibilities

Ultimately, you are responsible for the success of your own therapy. The benefits of counseling depend upon your willingness to participate in the therapeutic process. You also have the right and the responsibility to choose a therapist who you like and with whom you feel can help you. You have the responsibility to come to appointments on time, to treat the work we do together seriously, and to put your own effort into it.  You have the responsibility to ask if you don’t understand something or have any questions about what we are doing. Therapy is work that we do together, but the ultimate responsibility for change rests with you. I am honored to be your partner in this process.

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I have read and understand this Information and Disclosure Statement, agree with its terms, and have retained a copy for my record. I understand that no specific promises have been made to me by this therapist about the results of treatment, the effectiveness of the procedures used by this therapist, or the number of sessions necessary for therapy to be effective.  If I have any questions at any time, I understand that I am free to ask them.