PRACTICE POLICIES and TERMS OF SERVICE
Please read these terms carefully before using my services.
Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using my therapy services, you agree to these terms and conditions. If you disagree with any part of these terms, please do not use my services.
General Information
Our relationship as therapist and client is very personal but also involves a contractual agreement. It is important that we start the relationship with the same expectations. Please read this information carefully and talk to me about any questions or concerns you have before signing anything or starting your therapy services.
I have my Certificate of Clinical Competence for Speech-Language Pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This is a voluntary certification that has strict requirements for continuing education. You can find my certification status on the ASHA website at: https://www.asha.org/profind/.
I adhere to the ASHA Code of Ethics, which can be found here: https://inte.asha.org/Code-of-Ethics.
I am licensed to practice in the State of California. You can find my current license status on the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs website at: https://search.dca.ca.gov/.
Services Offered
I provide cognitive-communication therapy services tailored to your needs. These services may include assessment, therapy sessions, progress tracking, coordinating care with other professionals, and more. The details of the services will be discussed during your initial consultation appointment.
I sometimes provide therapy for people who have a hard time with eating and drinking due to swallowing disorders. This is decided on a case-by-case basis and typically requires prior exams ordered by your physician. I am duty-bound to provide only services that I can perform within the bounds of my knowledge and expertise.
I am currently a paid employee of Sutter Health. Due to potential conflicts of interest, I do not provide private therapy services for people who have received services or are insured through Sutter Health on or after March 1, 2020. Services provided through your contract with me are not endorsed by or connected to Sutter Health.
I do not provide emergency services of any kind. If you have a serious or life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
Client Responsibilities
You agree to provide accurate and complete information about yourself or the individual receiving therapy. This includes allowing me to contact other healthcare providers to get information I need for assessment and treatment planning.
It is important to attend scheduled sessions on time and complete any recommended exercises or practice between sessions. We’ll work together to decide how much work outside of therapy sessions is reasonable. If you don't do exercises and practice outside of therapy sessions, making progress is unlikely.
Consistently missing therapy sessions or not completing exercises/practice may lead to termination of services. I understand that sometimes hard circumstances come up, and we will talk about any difficulties you are having with attending therapy or completing homework.
Privacy and Confidentiality
I respect your privacy and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines. Any personal or health information shared during sessions will remain confidential, except as required by law or with your explicit consent. Please read the Notice of Privacy Practices for further details.
There are specific circumstances in which I am required to break confidentiality:
If a client threatens or attempts to commit suicide or otherwise conducts themselves in a manner in which there is a substantial risk of incurring serious bodily harm.
If a client threatens grave bodily harm or death to another person.
If I have a reasonable suspicion that a client or other named victim is the perpetrator, observer of, or actual victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse of children under the age of 18 years.
Suspicions as stated above in the case of an elderly person who may be subjected to these abuses.
Suspected neglect of the parties named in items #3 and # 4.
If a court of law issues a legitimate subpoena for information stated on the subpoena.
If a client is in therapy or being treated by order of a court of law, or if information is obtained for the purpose of rendering an expert’s report to an attorney.
If we see each other in the community outside of the therapy office, such as at the grocery store or library, I will not greet you first. Your right to privacy and confidentiality is of the utmost importance to me. If you acknowledge me first, I will be more than happy to speak briefly with you. However, I will not engage in any lengthy discussions in public or outside of the therapy office.
Payment and Fees
Payment for services is required as agreed upon during the initial consultation. Fees may vary based on the type and duration of therapy. Payment details and scheduling will be discussed with you before the commencement of therapy.
Payment for each session is due at time of service. I do not accept insurance at this time, but I am happy to provide you with a “superbill” that can be sent to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. I do not contact or correspond with insurance companies on behalf of my clients. Obtaining reimbursement for my services, if covered, will be fully your responsibility.
I do not accept money orders as payment for services. I do accept checks as payment (in addition to credit cards and cash). There will be a $25 fee for returned checks or other special handling of checks required.
Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Late Arrivals
Appointments must be cancelled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance in order to avoid a penalty. You will be responsible for the entire fee if cancellation is within two (2) hours of the beginning of your scheduled appointment. This is necessary because a time commitment is made to you and is held exclusively for you.
If you are late for your session, your session will still end at the same time unless my schedule allows extension. If I am late for a session (which should be rare or never) the session will be extended to the full session time for that appointment if our schedules allow. If not, we can add time to an upcoming appointment.
“No Show” and Late Cancellations
A “No Show” appointment means that you do not contact me to cancel the appointment before our scheduled time, and you do not attend the scheduled appointment. A Late Cancellation is one that happens with less than 24 hours’ notice.
I understand that mistakes happen. There will be no charge for one (1) “No Show” appointment per calendar year. After that, “No Show” appointments will be charged at the full session rate, and no further appointments will be scheduled until the No Show charge is paid.
More than three “No Show” appointments over the course of our therapy relationship will be grounds for termination of services without further notice. Multiple Late Cancellations will incur a $50 charge each. More than three Late Cancellations per calendar year will be grounds for termination of services without further notice.
Intellectual Property
All materials provided during therapy sessions, including exercises, resources, and materials, are intended for your personal use only. You may make copies or save to multiple devices for your personal use only. If you have another person or household members helping with your exercises or practice, you may share materials with them.
Materials may not otherwise be shared, copied, or distributed to others without my written consent beforehand.
Limitation of Liability
While I strive to provide effective speech therapy services, I cannot guarantee specific outcomes. I shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, or incidental damages resulting from the use of my services.
Social Media and Telecommunication
Because keeping your confidentiality and maintaining our appropriate boundaries is crucial, I don’t accept friend or contact requests from current or past clients on any social media platform (like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.). I will also not look you up on any social media platforms. I believe that connecting as friends or contacts on these platforms might jeopardize both your confidentiality and our personal privacy. Additionally, it could potentially blur the lines of our therapeutic relationship. If you have any inquiries about this matter, feel free to raise them during our sessions. I’m happy to talk more about it, but this is a firm policy.
Electronic Communication and Teletherapy
I cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media--including text messages. If you prefer to communicate via unencrypted email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, I will do so. While I try to return messages in a timely manner, I cannot guarantee immediate response and request that you do not use these methods of communication to discuss personal details of your therapy.
If you are interested in or have decided you would like to engage my services for Teletherapy, please review the Teletherapy Consent Policy.
Termination of Services
Either of us may terminate services with written notice. I reserve the right to discontinue services if there is a violation of these terms, non-payment, or any other reason deemed appropriate and reasonable.
Modifications to Terms
I may modify these terms at any time. Any changes will be communicated to you and will become effective upon your continued use of my services.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about these terms or my services, please contact me at (916) 860-8460 or info@witsandwords.com.
By using my services, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions. I look forward to working with you!
Minors
If you are a minor, your parents may be legally entitled to some information about your treatment. I will discuss with you and your parents what information is appropriate for them to receive and which issues are more appropriately kept confidential.
Termination of Services
Ending relationships can be difficult. Therefore, it is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure. The appropriate length of the termination depends on the length and intensity of the treatment. I may terminate treatment after appropriate discussion with you and/or if I determine that the treatment is not being effectively used. I may terminate services without discussion if you are in default on payment.
If treatment is terminated for any reason before you feel ready to cease therapy or you request another provider, I will provide you with a list of qualified Speech-Language Pathologists to treat you. You may also choose someone on your own or from another referral source. Should you fail to schedule an appointment for four consecutive weeks, unless other arrangements have been made in advance, for legal and ethical reasons, I must consider the professional relationship discontinued.