For the initial session, we will begin with discussing concerns that bring you into therapy. There will be time for you to ask any questions you have. Additionally, I may ask more involved assessment questions after reviewing your intake documents in the Client Portal. The first session generally lasts about 50-55 minutes.

For subsequent sessions, I will ask what is top of mind for the day/what you’d like to discuss. That will guide the direction of our sessions. Appointments last between 45-50 minutes.

It is recommended to meet at least once per week after the initiation of therapy. Depending on the concerns bringing you to therapy, I recommend making an initial investment of attending regularly scheduled appointments for at least 3-4 months.

A few meetings simply does not give us enough time to build the rapport & trust needed to explore your background in-depth & help you make major shifts in your life.

Some clients prefer short-term therapy for around 3-6 months to address one particular issue or circumstance. Then having “maintenance” sessions less frequently once they start feeling better. Others prefer to have ongoing support to work on deeper issues for a year or beyond. It is up to you.  

We will discuss your expectations & goals in the first meeting as well as check in about the trajectory & goals of our work together as we continue.

24 hour notice is required for all cancellations. The full fee of the scheduled session will be charged if cancellation occurs within 24 hours of the appointment time & must be paid prior to additional services being rendered.

The cancellation fee for scheduled session cost is waived if the appointment is rescheduled within the same week (Monday-Saturday) for a rescheduling fee of $35 per session. A good-faith effort will be made to accommodate all reschedule requests, but are subject to the availability of the clinician.

The full fee of any scheduled session is charged if the appointment is not attended & must be paid prior to additional services being rendered. The session is considered not attended/missed after 15 minutes of the schedules session start time without any communication to the clinician regarding cancellation, rescheduling or attending late.

At this time, only virtual sessions are available.

A Rising Change is an out-of-network provider & does not accept insurance for payment.

However, in order to increase the accessibility of services, a tiered equity fee is available. Please inquire if you’d like to discuss a reduced fee for services.

Additionally, a superbill for your insurance for out-of-network providers can be provided to you upon request.

Your PHI (Personal Health Information) is stored in a HIPAA-compliant electronic record system & telehealth sessions are executed via HIPAA-compliant secure video platform.

The session content & all relevant materials to your treatment will be held confidential unless you request in writing to have all or portions of such content released to a specifically named person/persons. Limitations of such client held privilege of confidentiality exist and are itemized below:

1. 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.

2. If a client threatens grave bodily harm or death to another person.

3. If the therapist has 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.

4. Suspicions as stated above in the case of an elderly person who may be subjected to these abuses.

5. Suspected neglect of the parties named in items #3 and # 4.

6. If a court of law issues a legitimate subpoena for information stated on the subpoena.

7. 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 incidentally anywhere outside of sessions, I will not acknowledge you first. Your right to privacy & confidentiality is my primary concern & of the utmost importance to me. I do not wish to jeopardize your privacy.

However, if you acknowledge me first, I will be more than happy to speak briefly with you, but it is not appropriate to engage in any lengthy discussions in public or outside of therapy sessions.

If needed, we can discuss in session if ongoing opportunities for contact outside of therapy sessions are anticipated.