What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy (also referred to as "counseling" or "therapy") is offered in many forms. It is a special process and relationship between the therapist (me) and the client (you) in which you are free to discuss and investigate matters of personal concern in a confidential setting.
The expectation is that this process will lead to you having greater understanding of the issues under discussion and that you will then be able to make more informed choices when making life decisions and setting personal goals, and create positive changes in your life. This process can initially lead to an increase in emotional awareness and a sense of greater emotional vulnerability. You are advised to inform me of any and all emotional experiences which may arise in the course of this work, in order that these experiences may be used as part of the development of self-understanding.
My training and experience enable me to incorporate the processing of emotional material and to educate you, the client, in ways to effectively handle your emotional experience and create the changes you desire. The frequency of therapeutic sessions and the duration of treatment will be discussed in the initial meetings and will be based on a mutual understanding of your needs and goals.
Rev. Connie L. Habash’s Qualifications
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California (CA License No: MFC 35178). I received my Bachelor’s (B.A.) degree in Psychology from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) and a Masters (M.A.) degree in Counseling Psychology with specialization in Transpersonal Counseling from JFK University. I have been practicing as a psychotherapist since 1992, was licensed in 1999, and have interned in a variety of counseling settings. I am also an ordained Interfaith Minister and have been a Yoga and Meditation teacher since 1993.
What about the Fees, Payments, and Cancellations?
The fee you pay for counseling may already be established. This is confidential between you and I, and is determined based on my current standard fee. Sessions are approximately 50 minutes. Payment is expected at time of service. If you are paying by check, please make out the check prior to your session so you do not need to use your therapy hour to do this. Make checks payable to Constance L. Habash or Connie Habash.
Especially for online sessions, you may also use IVY pay (which I set up for you, enabling me to charge your credit card for sessions), Venmo (@Connie-Habash), or PayPal (using my email, Connie@AwakeningSelf.com) to pay for sessions.
Upon request, I will provide you with a statement of services as evidence of your payment. Insurance arrangements are to be made on your own. Also upon request, I will issue you a health insurance claim form that you may give to your insurance company for reimbursement, if your policy covers psychotherapy. Please check with your insurance carrier first before assuming they will reimburse you for sessions.
When you schedule a session, the time is reserved for you. If you find you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, please be sure to give me at least 24 hours notice. If you do not show up for your appointment and/or do not give a 24 hour notice of cancellation, you will be required to pay for the missed session. Also, if you no-show for a scheduled appointment, meaning you do not show up for your scheduled appointment and you don’t call me, you could be terminated from services with me and referred to another mental health provider.
What About Confidentiality?
Your right to privacy is important. Strict confidentiality will be maintained with a few exceptions: 1) a reasonable concern that you may harm yourself or another (or another’s property); 2) a reasonable concern that child, elder or dependent adult abuse may have occurred; 3) if mandated to by law; 4) If you signed a release of information form so that I can speak to a person and/or agency; 5) If compelled by law.
If you wish to be reimbursed by insurance, be aware that your insurance company or program has a right to information about you and the content of our sessions together. In addition, if you introduce your mental health as an issue of litigation, other litigants may be entitled to subpoena your records.
Public Encounters – On occasion, you may incidentally end up seeing me in a variety of public situations, such as at a post office. In such cases, to maintain your confidentiality I will not acknowledge that I know you as a counseling client. I will follow your lead – if you wish to talk with me, say hello and I’ll respond in kind. If I happen to know you from other environments, such as yoga classes or workshops, I will acknowledge you as a student or workshop participant that I know and will not reveal that you are a counseling client of mine. Additionally, I do not discuss psychotherapy matters with clients in public – if you see me and want to talk about that, please email or call me.
Emails –Some clients like to send emails with changes in appointment schedules and/or other short forms of communication. In addition, you may have given your email to me with a request to receive my newsletter and weekly inspiration. Please note that when I send you a group email, your name will not appear on the email (considered a blind copy); however, individual communications will be addressed to you. Please be aware that emails are considered an insecure form of communication. If you ever wish to stop receiving emails from me, please notify me in writing. If you would like a more secure form of email communication, there is one available – please request it.
Social Media – I have pages on Facebook as well as Instagram. I often post information about upcoming classes and groups, as well as share quotes and other information that you might find interesting. If you choose to “follow” me through this social media outlet, please note the following: a) I will never identify you as a patient on social media; b) I do not allow any form of counseling communication through social media (including any posts regarding appointments, feedback regarding my services – even if positive). Should you communicate in a way that I feel is in violation of these guidelines, I will contact you to clear up any misunderstandings. This is to protect your confidentiality. Please talk to me if you have any questions or concerns regarding social media protocols. The same applies to any other social media you may find me on.
Online Counseling –Online Counseling, as known as TeleMental Health or E-Therapy, via secure portals such as Doxy.me, will be available per the discretion of this therapist. Fee for session will be required prior to time of the Online Session. Please be aware, that if your insurance is paying for your therapy with me, they may not allow for on-line therapy sessions. Doxy.me is HIPAA compliant and considered a secure form of transmission; however, just as with other forms of technology, there are risks, especially if you decide you would rather use a less secure form of technology, such as Zoom or Skype. In that case, you run the risk of the session being hacked and/or intercepted by a third party. If you decide to participate in Online Counseling, your signature on this Informed Consent form will act as your acknowledgement and understanding of the risks inherent with this form of therapy session and have decided to utilize Online Counseling anyway. I also have a separate consent form for Online Psychotherapy.
Cell Phone Information – Sometimes you may need to speak with me between sessions. For routine matters, please text or call (650)996-2649 to leave a message; if it is urgent, please indicate so on the message (please do not email if you need an immediate response – please text or voice mail for faster response). When leaving a message, make sure to leave your name and a phone number (include the area code). Note: Cell phones are not secure lines. If you have a concern that you may be overheard on the cell phone, please make sure to use land lines only. If you do not wish for me to return a call to you via cell phone (which may cause a delay in my returning your call), please make sure you let me know this at the time you leave a message.
Texting – It is ok for you to text me short questions for administrative issues, such as scheduling. Since texting involves cell phones, please know this is an insecure form of communication. If you ever have concerns about the content of your text being viewed by a third party, I encourage you to not text, but call me instead. Also, there is a more secure form of texting available if you prefer, upon request.
Crisis Situations - If you have a crisis situation and you cannot wait for a call back from me please do one of the following: 1) Dial 911. 2) Go to your closest hospital emergency room. Or 3) call The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Hotline (San Mateo Co.): 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 4) or simply dial 988 for the California crisis hotline.
Lastly, I am required by law to share contact information should you ever need to file a complaint about a therapist:
NOTICE TO CLIENTS The Board of Behavioral Sciences receives and responds to complaints regarding services provided within the scope of practice of (marriage and family therapists, licensed educational psychologists, clinical social workers, or professional clinical counselors). You may contact the board online at www.bbs.ca.gov, or by calling (916) 574-7830.
Your signature below indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to this document of informed consent and that you have been provided with a copy of this statement. You also agree that, in case of an emergency, I may contact your emergency contact person. If you should submit for insurance reimbursement or have a third party paying for your sessions, you are giving consent for the release of information needed for your insurance or other party to process your claim, including diagnosis and dates of treatment.