Curious About My Practice & Attendance 
Policies?

Secure Communication & Client Data

Your privacy and security are my top priority. I use Spruce Health, Sessions Health EHR, and Psychology Today Sessions to ensure all communication and client data remain HIPAA-compliant and secure. I will only breach your confidentiality for a few specific reasons outlined below.

Messaging with Spruce Health

• Spruce Health is a HIPAA-compliant platform for secure messaging.

• After connecting with me on Spruce, you can use it to send confidential messages, ask to cancel or change appointments, and ask non-urgent questions.

• I typically respond within 24 hours during business days. For urgent concerns, please call 911, 988, or a crisis helpline.

Secure Client Data with Sessions Health

• Sessions Health is my HIPAA-compliant EHR/EMR system, where all client records, session notes, and billing information are securely stored.

• You can use the Sessions Health portal to schedule/cancel/reschedule appointments, complete intake forms, send secure messages, upload files and documents, and access/pay e-statements.

• All data is encrypted and stored securely to protect your confidentiality.

Psychology Today Sessions for Telehealth Appointments

• Psychology Today Sessions is a HIPAA-compliant platform used for secure video telehealth appointments.

• You will receive a link to enter my virtual waiting room before your session begins. No download or login required.

• The platform ensures encrypted, confidential communication throughout your appointment.

Limits to Confidentiality

• These are the reasons I would breach your confidentiality for what is discussed in therapy sessions:

  • If you/your guardian sign a Release of Information to a specific named person/persons/companies/agencies.

  • If you have have a plan, means, and intent to act on suicidal thoughts or are at risk of incurring serious bodily harm.

  • If you threaten or plan to seriously harm or kill another person.

  • If you are the perpetrator, observer of, or actual victim of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or neglect of anyone under the age of 18.

  • If you are the perpetrator, observer of, or actual victim of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or neglect of an elderly person.

  • If I am subpoenaed by the court to turn over progress or chart notes or show up at court, signed by a judge.

  • If you are ordered by law to attend therapy and I have to report progress to a PO officer or other official.

  • To consult with other professional(s) in their areas of expertise to provide the best treatment for you, or for the purposes of supervision.

• Minors: I might need to reach out to your parent(s)/guardian(s) for issues not mentioned above. The limits depend on your age, maturity level, and the specific circumstances. I will talk to you about involving parent(s)/guardian(s) when necessary and will explain more during the intake session.

Practice Policies

Professional Fees & Insurance

• Payment is due within 30 days of service, unless you are an Open Path client, then payment is due at time of service.

• Clients using insurance are responsible for verifying their benefits and understanding their deductible, copay, and co-insurance.

• Balances must be paid upon receipt of e-statements. Unpaid balances may be charged to the card on file after 30 days. If you need a payment plan, please talk with me directly.

• Returned checks incur a $10 fee.

• An hourly fee ($165) will be charged for all time I am required to be in court or prepare for court. This is charged in 15 minute increments and is due 72 hours prior to the court date or when documentation is due, and is non-refundable.

  • Please note, I do not provide custody evaluations, parental capacity evaluations, forensic assessments, or make recommendations on custody/visitation/parenting ability.

• See attendance policy below for potential fees for late cancels and no-shows.

Appointments & Cancellations

• Therapy sessions are typically 55 minutes but can range from 30 to 60 minutes.

• Please cancel or reschedule (using the Sessions Health client portal or messaging me via text, Spruce, or email) at least 24 hours in advance to avoid possible fees.

• If you are more than 15 minutes late, the session may be marked as a no-show and may be subject to a fee, unless I am informed you are running behind. Otherwise, I sign off of the telehealth link 16 minutes past the appointment start time and will send you a message to check in and see about rescheduling.

• Reminders for appointments are available via email, text, and/or client portal notifications.

• Chronic late cancellations or no-shows may result in discontinued services/discharge from services.

• If your account balance exceeds $200 (or three unpaid sessions, whichever is lower), services may be paused or terminated until payment is made.

Social Media & Public Interactions

• I do not accept friend requests from clients on any social media to protect confidentiality.

• If we see each other in public, I will not acknowledge you unless you approach me first, also to protect your confidentiality.

Contacting Me & Emergencies

• Non-urgent messages can be left via voicemail, text message, email, Spruce Health messaging, or the client portal. I aim to respond within 24 business hours.

• I do not provide crisis services. In emergencies, call 911, 988, a local crisis helpline, or go to your nearest emergency room or crisis center.

Electronic Communication & Telehealth Guidelines

• Electronic communication (email, text) is not fully secure. Please use it for scheduling or non-sensitive matters only.

• Clients must be located in Kansas during telehealth sessions.

• You must be in a private, safe environment during sessions (e.g., not driving or in a public space).

• Sessions cannot be recorded by either party without prior consent.

• If under the influence of substances at the time of the appointment, the session may be canceled, and a late cancellation fee may apply.

Minors & Confidentiality

• If you are under 18, your parent/guardian has the right to some information about your therapy, but your privacy is also important.

• I will keep session details confidential unless there is a safety concern (e.g., risk of harm, abuse, or neglect), in which case I must inform the appropriate parties.

• During intake, we will discuss what information may be shared and how to balance privacy with parental involvement.

Termination & Discontinuing Services

• Therapy can be terminated if you have completed all of your treatment goals, it is not beneficial, if payments are overdue, if treatment goals have been met, or if attendance is inconsistent.

• If there is a 60+ day gap in sessions without prior arrangement, services will be considered discontinued, and re-engagement will depend on availability.

Attendance Policies

No-Shows & Late Cancellations

• Late Cancellation: Canceling with less than 24 hours’ notice.

• No-Show: Failing to attend an appointment without notice or being 15+ minutes late without informing me beforehand.

• Potential Fees:

  • Late Cancellation: $50

  • No-Show: $100

    • Medicaid/KanCare clients are exempt from these fees per the law, but attendance expectations still apply.

Exceptions & Fee Waivers

• No fee: If cancellation is made at least 24 hours in advance.

• Potential waiver: If the session is rescheduled within the same week (subject to availability). If you have to reschedule or cancel a second time in the same week, the late cancel fee may apply.

• Emergency situations: Discretionary fee waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Commitment & Discharge Policy

• Intake Appointments/New Clients: If you no-show or late-cancel the first appointment, you have one chance to reschedule. A second missed intake may result in no further scheduling. All intake paperwork must be completed 48 hours prior to the intake session or it may be cancelled / rescheduled.

• Ongoing Clients: If you have three or more no-shows/late cancellations within a rolling six-month period, you may be discharged from services.

  • If discharged, you may request referrals or be placed on a waitlist for future availability.

Late Arrivals

• If you arrive late to your appointment, the session may be shortened or rescheduled.

• I sign off of telehealth sessions 16 minutes after the start time unless otherwise told you will be late to the session. If this happens, I send a message at that 16 minute mark to check in and see about rescheduling.

• Repeated late arrivals may impact continued scheduling or lead to discharge from services.