Welcome to my practice. I will do everything within my professional capacity to be
helpful to you. Please read the following statement carefully and sign it to acknowledge that you have read and understood it.

I received a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark
College in Portland, Oregon in 1998. I have also received a Ph.D. in Health Psychology from Walden University in 2007. In addition to required coursework, I have advanced training in addictions (namely eating disorders), family systems and Theophostic Ministry and am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

Areas of counseling specialty include: depression, anxiety, communication, anger issues, grief/loss, addictions and recovery, sexual abuse, trauma, eating disorders, relationships, and spirituality. I have over 35 years of experience working with adolescents and adults in various contexts, both as individuals, groups, and as couples. As a counselor I am able to conduct therapy but I cannot prescribe medications. My training enables me to assess if there is a need for medical evaluation, so if necessary, I will refer you.

I am based in Arkansas and see clients via telehealth. As an out of network provider, I can only bill insurance for clients living in Oregon and it is your responsibility to check with your provider to determine whether your plan authorizes coverage for out of network counseling.

I typically see clients presenting for therapy once a week. In the initial session or two we will determine if we can work together. After conducting an assessment and getting a sense of what brought you here, I will tell you in general terms how long I believe we will need to work together. I will also work with you to determine some specific goals and develop a treatment plan.

You have the right to end therapy whenever you wish. I will close your file upon your request or if a scheduled session results in a no show with no call from you. It is important to mention that termination of therapy is a key part of the process and needs to be done in session rather than over the phone. Ending well is a key part of the growth process.

I generally approach clients from both a relational and systems perspective. Because most of my clients are troubled about their relationships, I am likely to ask you many questions about your interpersonal relationships and use the relationship that you develop with me as a part of our work together. The systems aspect of my work involves examination of the unique role of each individual within the various systems that he or she is a part. This relates primarily to family of origin relationships with a focus specifically on role adaptations, coping strategies and learned patterns of behavior. I use methods designed to increase your awareness, improve your coping and communication skills, help you set goals, and heal traumas.

My belief is that unresolved issues from the past will continue to effect present and
future interactions. Functionality is limited until those issues are examined and resolved in some way. I also believe that people change within the context of relationships, and I have seen that improved functioning and freedom often result from the therapeutic process.

I am a member of the American Psychological Association, the National Eating
Disorders Association, the Columbia River Eating Disorders Network, the American
Association of Christian Counselors, and the National Board of Certified Counselors. I am registered with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, and will follow, to the best of my ability, the code of ethics established by this professional association. To maintain licensure I participate in 40 hours of continuing education every two years and make it a priority to attend various seminars and workshops.

All communications between clients and myself will be held in confidence and will not, except under the circumstances explained below, be disclosed to anyone unless you give written authorization to release the information. The exceptions include:
1) You disclose the intent or plan to harm yourself or others, child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse.
2) In legal situations, when court-ordered by a judge, I am required to disclose
information to comply with the law in that situation.
3) On occasion your case may be discussed in the context of clinical supervision in order to ensure that you receive the best possible care.
4) If there is disclosure of downloading, streaming, or accessing through electronic or digital media any material in which a child is engaged in an obscene or sexual act, I am required by law to report such activity to local authorities.

My fee for service is $225.00 per 60-minute session ($340.00 for 90 minutes) with all fees due prior to each session. Your signature on this document acknowledges your responsibility for charges made to your account. I also charge my regular fee for any written reports I write on your behalf, and telephone calls lasting more than 15 minutes.  If your account becomes delinquent, your signature on this consent allows for release of information to a collection agency for collection purposes.

If it is necessary to change or cancel your appointment, please let me know as soon as possible. Because I make every effort to be here for you, I expect you to attend your appointment. I will charge you for appointments that are canceled less than 24 hours in advance.

If you cancel two appointments in a row or begin to cancel on a regular basis, I will view this as an ending of our treatment contract. If you wish to see me following these cancellations, we will need to renegotiate our treatment contract.

I monitor my personal voice mail on a daily basis, Monday through Thursday, and will make every effort to return your call as soon as possible, with the exception of weekends and holidays. If you are unable to reach me and your situation is emergent, you should call your family physician or Washington County Crisis Line at 503-291-9111.

During the course of treatment, all social media interactions will be off limits between me as your therapist and you as my client. This includes not following each other on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. All communication will be limited to email correspondence and phone calls only.

from the Code of Ethics [OAR 833-060-0004(h)]

As a client of an Oregon licensee or registered intern, you have the following rights:
* To expect that a licensee has met the minimal qualifications of training and experience required by state law;
* To examine public records maintained by the Board and to have the Board confirm credentials of a licensee;
* To obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics;
* To report complaints to the Board;
* To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services;
* To be assured of privacy and confidentiality while receiving services as defined by rule and law, including the following:
1) All items listed under Confidentiality above;
2) Providing information concerning licensee case consultation or supervision;
3) Defending claims brought by client against licensee;
* To be free from being the object of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or other unlawful category while receiving services.

You may contact the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists
3218 Pringle Road SE, Ste. 120, Salem, OR 97302-6312 / lpct.board@mhra.oregon.gov /
503.378.5499 / www.oregon.gov/OBLPCT. Additional information about me as a
therapist is available on the Board’s website.

My signature on this statement attests to the fact that I read and reviewed these points with Dr. Michelle Watson. I understand and agree with these terms.