The following policies contain important information to make our working relationship professional and sound, so that we can focus on you! These policies will be discussed in-depth during your first appointment, and it is required to sign a statement of mutual understanding regarding these policies before service begins. Please read them thoroughly and let us know if you have any questions or concerns about them.
​
Therapeutic Relationship
​
Choosing to enter into therapy can be an intimidating decision. Counseling can help you work through your roadblocks and learn how to cope with emotions or past trauma. It can also help you discover new abilities, interests, and awaken your passion! The key to any counseling relationship is to make sure that you find a therapist that you trust and feel comfortable with sharing your story, including your fears and hopes for the future.
At times, therapy can be hard, and downright uncomfortable, because we discuss hard times and expose vulnerabilities. Therapy takes time to uncover patterns and work through emotions and issues, clarify potential solutions, and build a solid strategy to help you achieve your goals. Unfortunately, there is not one approach to therapy that works for everyone. Length of time in therapy depends on the issues presented and set mutual therapy goals. We work together to find what works best for you.
​
Due to established ethical guidelines and standards of professional organizations, such as the American Counseling Association and state licensing boards, counselors are prevented from entering into a personal relationship with a client outside of the therapy relationship. This applies to social media and online relationships. To ensure your confidentiality and privacy, we ask that you commit and honor these policies if you receive services from Life Strategy Studios, LLC.
​
Referrals, Concerns, & Termination of Service
​
Counselors may refer clients to other therapists if they may not be able to address the client’s issues or needs in an effective and beneficial manner. We reserve the right to do this in order to make sure you receive the level of care that you need for the issues or situation that you are experiencing.
If, at any time, during our therapeutic relationship, you have questions or concerns about your level of care, treatment recommendations, or any other issue, we ask that you share this with us so that we can try to address the situation immediately. We will work together to find a mutual understanding or agreeable solution to resolve the conflict or issue. After trying to work on the issue together, and there is still something to address, we can seek outside support and advice, such as a referral to another counselor or through the Department of Health and Human Services.
Termination of a therapeutic relationship can occur for many reasons, such as a referral to another provider as mentioned above, if feel like you wish to end treatment, or the best outcome, which is because all of your therapy goals were achieved. Terminating service can bring on some emotions, especially if our time together was a long duration. We ask that before the termination of service were to take place that we have the chance to discuss the reasoning and ensure that you have a support system in place in case you need it.
​
Non-Discrimination Policy
We do not discriminate against any client or person seeking therapy due to age, sex, gender, race, culture, marital/family status, religious beliefs,
ethnic origin, place of residence, veteran status, physical disability, health status, sexual orientation, or criminal record unrelated to present dangerous behavior.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Confidentiality is one of the most important foundations of a client and counselor/therapist relationship. It is maintained in compliance with HIPAA and PHI requirements and in accordance with state and federal laws.
Communications between the client and counselor/therapist are protected by law, and generally information can only be released with your written permission. There are a few exceptions to this protection, such as:
-
If you have threatened or are in danger of self-harm or harming others.
-
Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders based information provided by the client or collateral sources.
​
We do take safety seriously and will exercise our rights as counselors/therapists to protect our clients and others’ safety.
​
Additionally, please note that certain communication methods, such as text and email, are not always secure. Although we take every precaution to use secure connections and to contact you via your preferred communication method, we cannot guarantee that these modes are 100% confidential at all times as your Internet Service Provider, employer, or others may have access to your email or cell phone accounts.
Our privacy policies are explained in-depth on our informed consent form, which you will be required to sign a statement of understanding or “Informed Consent Form” before receiving services. You will also be provided a copy of this form and information for your records.
Minors
For clients under the age of 18, by state law, parents may have the right to review your records. A written agreement between a minor client and parents will be exercised to confirm which types of information will be released per the agreement. Typically, we provide only general information to parents unless there is a high risk of self-harm or harming others. We will review this information in depth at the first appointment and ongoing if
there are any changes necessary during treatment.
​
Professional Records
Treatment records are kept for each client, and are protected in compliance with HIPAA/PHI requirements, and in accordance to state and federal laws. Client records will only be released with your written permission, or when mandated by state law. Clients may request to provide information to other medical providers, attorneys, or family members. You are also entitled to have a copy of your records at any time. Clients will be charged an appropriate fee for time spent to prepare reports or records as needed.
​
Social Media & Online Policies
Social media outlets and technology are ever-changing, therefore, these policies are updated regularly. Any major change will be communicated with you, but it is the client’s responsibility to check out the updates on our policy page of our website.
Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, & Blog Posts
We maintain accounts and publish regularly on these sites, and it is up to the client to decide if they want to follow us, or like our pages. Please be aware that if you do decide to do this, you may compromise your confidentiality as others will see your name affiliated with Life Strategy Studios, LLC.
​
Please note, on our personal social media pages, we will not accept personal friend requests from clients to protect confidentiality, for reciprocal respect for personal privacy, and to maintain healthy counselor/client relationship boundaries. In addition, please do not use messenger services on any social site to contact us, either on the Life Strategy Studios, LLC or personal pages. They are generally not secure, and not monitored regularly.
​
Blog posts are published on a variety of pages. If you feel compelled to comment or like a discussion, please note again, this activity may compromise your privacy.
Email is used to communicate with clients who request email as their preferred communication method. Emails will be responded to within 24 hours, with the exception of Sundays, holidays, or unless we are out of the office for an extended amount of time. If you have an urgent message or need assistance before the 24 period, it is recommended to contact us by phone.
Additionally, please note that that certain communication methods, such as text and email, are not always secure. Although we take every precaution to use secure connections and to contact you via your preferred communication method, we cannot guarantee that these modes are 100% confidential at all times as your Internet Service Provider, employer, or others may have access to your email or cell phone accounts.
Search Engines
We do not regularly search for or monitor client information via Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, or other search sites. We do reserve the right to do this if you are in a crisis situation, have a reason to believe you may be in danger, or have not been in contact with us via your usual communication methods for some time. This is only done again in severe circumstances to protect you and the welfare of others.
Business Review Sites
Our company may be listed under search engines and other business sites like Yelp, Yahoo, Google Reviews, and others, which include areas to review business services and make recommendations. Please note that we do not solicit you as a client to make reviews or recommendations on public forums.
​
If you do decide to create a review or recommendation, please note that your privacy and confidentiality may be compromised. Also, due to privacy and confidentiality guidelines from our professional organizations, we cannot respond to any comments made on any sites, and hope that if there are any issues about the services we provide or your experiences with us, that you will communicate those to us directly.
Location-Based Services
Please note that if you utilize any location-based services that track your GPS location, you may unintentionally inform people you know that you are visiting a counseling/therapy office, therefore compromising your privacy and confidentiality.
​
Contact Policies
We make every effort to return calls, texts, and emails in a timely manner, which is within 24 hours of initial contact, with the exception of Sundays and major holidays. The office is open by appointment only, and if we are in an appointment, we cannot answer the phone, so please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you. If we will be out of the office for an extended amount of time, we will provide the name of a colleague to contact, if needed.
​
If you cannot reach us and you are feeling suicidal or have a medical emergency, please contact your primary care physician, visit your local emergency room, or call 911.
Scheduling, Fees, Payments, & Cancellations
​
We understand that making an appointment to come in is a big step, which can be intimidating. We will do our best to schedule an appointment within 48 hours, or what works best for your situation.
-
One-in-One Strategic Therapy Sessions (50-75 minutes)……….…...... $90.00
​​​
-
Group Strategy Workshops (6-week sessions)…………………………….... $300.00
​
-
​​Life or Career Coaching Sessions (25 minutes)…………..………………….. $50.00
(in-person or via phone call)
-
Career Coaching Package…………………………………………………………....... $325.00
​(includes one resume, one cover letter, one revision, and two hours of coaching- in-person or via phone calls)
-
​​Resume Writing…………………………………………………………………………....... $150.00
(includes one revision and one cover letter)
​
-
​​Coming Soon! Chemical Dependency Evaluation………………………....... $150.00
​Payment is due at the time of service and there are no exceptions. We are 100% private pay accepting cash, check, and all major credit cards at the time of service. We do not file insurance companies due to limitations on therapeutic interventions that can be used and number of client visits allowed, as well as we cannot ensure client privacy.
​
-
​No-shows or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance will be charged full session rate, which must be paid prior to booking another session.
-
Returned checks will be assessed $30 bank fee, which must be paid prior to booking another session.
-
​​A sliding scale is available for those who need assistance. Please contact us to discuss.
​Getting Started
To help us get you started more quickly, the following forms must be completed before or during your first appointment:
​
-
​Client Information Form (pdf)
​
-
​Release of Information Form (pdf)
​
-
​Informed Consent Form (pdf)
​
-
​Client Handbook Receipt & Policy Understanding Form (pdf)
Additional forms and a client handbook will be provided and reviewed with you at your first session. You are also welcome to review this information under the Policies tab on our website prior to your appointment.
​