Performing ablutions before entering the mosque, Istanbul, Photo: Otis Charles, 2006
POLICIES
Below are most of the nuts and bolts about running my practice. These are here for your infor-
mation, and to help us all create healthy boundaries for a successful therapeutic experience.
Location:
I only conduct therapy (psycho/sex/family) face-to-face in office, with emergency exceptions
for established clients. Sorry, no internet therapy or counseling. (I know, very old-school).
Supervision phone sessions for AASECT certification is acceptable. Phone consultations for
other health care practitioners are also available.
Structure:
Sessions are usually 50 minutes long, starting at the top of the hour, and ending at ten of the
hour. Longer sessions and double sessions are available when warranted. Most clients prefer
sessions once a week, others prefer more often than that. Some clients finish up, then return a
year or two later for a tune up, or to deal with a new issue. Determining the frequency and
duration of treatment is a collaborative agreement between the therapist and the client.
Appointments:
When I provide you with two or three optional appointment times, please know that others may have also been offered those times. First grabber gets it.
In Beverly Hills:
Office hours are usually Mon-Tues noon to 9:00 pm, and Wednesdays 9:00 am to noon.
in Rancho Mirage:
Thursday and Friday noon til 9:00 pm
Fees:
The standard fee is $150 per session. I keep three slots for sexology/psychology students at $100 per session. Some sliding-scale slots are available at times. An initial consultation session of 80 minutes for $250 is at times recommended.
Insurance:
Payments are made at each session by check or cash or in advance via Paypal. I mail out monthly statements to clients who wish to seek reimbursements from their insurance carriers.
I am not a member/provider of any network.
Cancellation:
The client will be charged for appointments cancelled in less than 24 hours. Insurance carriers do not reimburse for missed sessions.
Travel:
Clients of mine are aware that I travel frequently. A calendar is posted in the waiting room, and plenty of notice is given. Sometimes I go away for extended periods. In 2009, I went to India and Nepal for two months. Arrangements for a covering therapist are made with each client on an individual needs assessment basis.
Legal Stuff:
Upon embarkation of treatment, the client will be asked to sign the Informed Consent and the Office Policies forms linked below for your convenience. Further, I may ask the client to sign a Release of Confidentiality for me to speak with their psychiatrist, physician, primary therapist, or other health care providers. You do not have to consent to these consultations, but please know that it is my obligation to request to assist you in this manner.
Consent forms:
Informed Consent
Office Policies
Release of Confidentiality
Mandated Reporting:
As a licensed psychotherapist in the state of California, I am mandated to report:
imminent harm to self or others
awareness of a child, dependent adult, or senior who is being abused
(sexually, physically, emotionally, economically) or who is being neglected.
http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/lawsregs.pdf
In California it is against the law for a licensed psychotherapist to have sex with a client.
http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/proftherapy.pdf