Location of In-Person Practice
In-person sessions are available on Tuesdays from 11 AM - 5:30 PM by appointment only. I currently share office space with HOPE Therapeutic Alliance at their Schertz location:
1996 Schertz Pkwy
Suite 402
Schertz, TX 78154
If I am unable to accommodate an in-person session for you, please feel free to reach out to HOPE Therapeutic Alliance at https://seekhope.net. You are also welcome to contact Innova Recovery Center at https://innovarecoverycenter.com for additional options.
Are you a good candidate for In-Person Therapy?
In-person therapy has been the most common form of counseling since the beginning of psychotherapy. With increased videoconferencing technology, as well as the recent COVID pandemic, teletherapy has become a preferred way to seek support. However, for some individuals, as well as certain mental health diagnoses, in-person therapy is still a better option.
In-person therapy is a way to avoid distractions from the home or work environment. It also aids certain individuals to get out of their homes (which can be therapeutic). With Complex Trauma and other forms of dissociation, in-person therapy can help an individual be more engaged during sessions.
Certain insurance carriers will only approve in-person therapy, so please check with your provider before you commit to one therapeutic modality over the other.
Review of Practice Policies from the ABOUT Page
Client-Counselor Service Agreement
Counseling involves a professional and empathic relationship between people. It works because of clearly defined boundaries, rights, and responsibilities held by each person. There are also legal limitations to those rights that you should be aware of. The following section contains important information about my professional services and business policies. You will also receive information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that provides privacy protections and patient rights about the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information (PHI).
Goals, Risks/Benefits of Counseling
Treatment goals will be established in order to stay focused in counseling. Some of these will be long-term goals, others may be more immediate. Whatever the goal, it will be set by the client based on what they want to work on. The counselor may make suggestions on how to reach that goal, but the client decides where they want to go. Counseling is an intensely personal process that can bring unpleasant memories or emotions to the surface. There are no guarantees that counseling will work for you. Therapeutic progress is not always linear and may happen slowly. Counseling requires a very active effort on the individual’s part. There are many benefits to counseling. Counseling can teach coping skills, develop behavioral changes, reduce symptoms of mental health distress, and improve a person’s quality of life.
Confidentiality
I will make every effort to keep your personal information private. If you wish to have information shared, you will be required to sign a consent form before such information will be released. Records are maintained on a web-based platform called SimplePractice LLC. This is a fully HIPAA-compliant site and follows proper encryption protocols. No other providers have access to your records, as I am a Sole Practitioner. There are some limitations to confidentiality to that you need to be aware.
1. Texas Family Cody, Chapter 261, concerning abuse or neglect of minors
2. Texas Human Resources Code, chapter 48, concerning abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons
3. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 161, Subchapter K, 161.131, concerning abuse, neglect, and illegal, unprofessional, or unethical conduct in an inpatient mental health facility, a chemical dependency treatment facility, or a hospital providing comprehensive medical rehabilitation services
4. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 81.006 concerning sexual exploitation by a mental health provider
5. A licensee shall comply with the Occupation Code Chapter 109, relating to the release and exchange of information concerning the treatment of a sex offender
6. I am also required by law to release information when the client poses a risk to themselves or others
If I receive a court order or subpoena, I may be required to release some information. In such cases, I will consult with other professionals and limit the release to only what is necessary by law.
If consultation with another professional is necessary to aid in providing the best care for you, your consent will be obtained, and no identifying information will be shared with that person.
Technology
A separate consent agreement will be reviewed and signed by the client specifically for teletherapy services. This agreement includes risks and benefits of teletherapy, devices required, separate confidentiality concerns over technology used, back-up protocols if technology fails, need for emergency plans, procedures to verify identity, and reasons for termination if teletherapy is not a good option for the client.
Record Keeping
I will keep records of your counseling sessions, diagnosis, assessments, and a treatment plan, which includes your goals for counseling. The State of Texas and HIPAA also require me to keep all signed disclosure and consent documents, copies of all email and text communications, as well as chats through SMS in the online client portal. These will not be shared. Exceptions concern the limits of confidentiality discussed in the Confidentiality section. Should the client wish to have their record released, they are required to sign a release of information, which specifies what information is to be released and to whom. Records will be kept for 7 years past the date of last contact with a client. Records for minors will be kept 7 years past their eighteenth birthday.
Filing a Complaint with the State of Texas
Clients are always encouraged to discuss any concerns directly with me; however, you have the right to report to:
Texas Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
Complaints Management and Investigative Section
P.O. Box 141369
Austin, TX 78714-1369
Phone: 1-800-942-5540
Filing a Complaint with the State of Colorado
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
Online: dpo.colorado.gov/FileComplaint
Mail complaint forms to: Division of Professions and Occupations
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-894-7800
In case of the Therapist’s Death or Incapacity
If I become incapacitated or die, I have a Professional Will on file, and another professional Therapist will contact you to work with you to transfer any records or files to a therapist of your choosing.
Contacting Me
I do not answer my phone when I am with clients or outside business hours. At these times, you may leave a message on my confidential voicemail or write me a message through the client portal’s secure messaging system, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. My phone is answered by voicemail at all hours. Responses may take a day or two for non-urgent matters on weekends and holidays. If you feel you cannot wait for a return call or if it is an emergency, please call 911 or follow the emergency procedures established during our initial intake session.