Overview of Services: Therapy is a collaborative process between you and a therapist, designed to empower you to accomplish mental health and wellness goals. I provide services to individuals, families, and groups. For therapy to be most effective, it is important that you take an active role in the process. This will include discussing difficult issues, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Telehealth therapy is available to California residents receiving services from a therapist licensed in California. Before starting telehealth therapy, clients must provide informed consent.

Potential Benefits of Therapy: The trusting and authentic therapeutic relationship formed between us can be transformative. Often it can be healing simply to be truly heard and understood. I can offer new perspectives and provide insight moving you towards your personal goals. Other benefits of therapy may include increasing mindfulness and self- awareness, overcoming specific problem areas such as depression or anxiety, discerning who you really want to be and how you want to live your life, and finding resolution to the concerns that led you into therapy. These benefits are best achieved when you assume an active role in the process and apply what is learned in therapy to real-life situations.

Potential Risks of Therapy: Before we begin, you should understand that there is a possibility that you will, for a time, experience uncomfortable levels of sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness, helplessness, or other difficult feelings. You may recall unpleasant memories. Relationships are often affected as a result of therapy. Significant relationships may experience varying degrees of tension. This is often most prevalent within family relationships, but may extend beyond into one’s social and professional life. Sometimes, problems may temporarily worsen after the beginning of treatment. Therapy is a powerful, dynamic process and these types of risks are to be expected as a natural element of making significant changes in their lives.

Confidentiality: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the State of California, I will keep confidential anything you disclose to me, with the following exceptions: a) you direct me to tell someone, b) I have reason to believe you are in imminent danger of harming yourself or others, c) I am ordered by a court of law to disclose information, d) you report abuse or neglect of a child, or a handicapped or elderly person (by you or someone else). Therapists follow California’s privacy laws, including the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA). Your personal health information (PHI) is kept confidential and cannot be shared without your written consent, except in cases of legal or safety requirements (e.g., harm to self or others, child/elder abuse reporting).

Rights of Minors (12 and Older): Minors 12 years and older can consent to their own mental health treatment, including telehealth therapy, without parental or guardian approval, if the therapist determines they are mature enough to participate in treatment and/or the minor would benefit from therapy. Minors 12 and older have the right to privacy in therapy. Therapists cannot disclose session details to parents/guardians without the minor’s consent, except when there is a risk of harm to the minor or others. A minor can refuse therapy, but a parent or guardian can still petition for treatment under certain circumstances.

Scheduling/Cancellations: Usually, counseling sessions will be held on a weekly basis as we begin to uncover your goals and gain momentum in the therapeutic process. Once you begin to see the changes that you are hoping for, we may readjust our scheduled meetings as you begin to rely on the resources you will rediscover in yourself. Please make appointment cancellations prior to 24 hours of your scheduled appointment by phone, email, or online. Cancellations within 24 hours and no shows are charged a cancellation fee. The cancellation fee

Treatment and Professionalism: Our relationship is unique and will be reserved to the counseling room. The relationship with your therapist is strictly a professional and therapeutic one and is the only type of relationship we may have. Any other type of personal or business relationship undermines the effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship. Any gifts, bartering and/or trading for services is not considered appropriate and will not be engaged in. Please remember that these restrictions are to protect you and to make sure you get the best treatment possible, without any complications. If I should see you outside of our scheduled sessions, my primary concern is your privacy. I will not approach you, but please feel free to approach me and say hello if you would like.

Continuation of care: In the event that termination occurs prior to the completion of client-stated goals, a referral three (3) alternative counseling sources, taking into adequate consideration the client’s psychological needs and ability to pay. A termination can occur after 3 missed sessions in a given month, in consistency in treatment, or by informing the therapist that you would no longer like to continue treatment. Clients have the right to stop treamtent and anytime. Should you decide to re-enter treatment with Helping Hands MHS, please contact the treating therapist to schedule your session.

Emergency/After Hours: If you have a life-threatening crisis, please call 9-1-1. Most hospital emergency rooms can give live-saving services. Help is also available 24 hours at the Crisis Hotline (988) or Psychiatric Emergency Services (800-854-7771). After hours are limited and are based on the therapist's availability. However, if you need support please contact me directly at (909) 718-4566. All after hour calls or messages are billed as Crisis Support and differ from your normal session rate.

For more information or updates on California telehealth laws, visit the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) website or ask your therapist for further details.

Policies & Procedures