Session Policy
About The Therapeutic Process & IMPORTANT PROCEDURES
How to begin: Phone or Text Don Elium, MFT at 925 256-8282, or email him at don@don-elium-psychotherapy.com and ask for an 15-20 minute introduction by phone.
Don will return your message and find a day and time the works for you for that conversation. Asking question, general and specific, are encouraged. If more time is needed, that can be arranged. Follow up questions are also encouraged so that you feel confident in taking this important step in getting the help you need.
The therapeutic relationship is unique in that it is a highly personal and at the same time, a contractual agreement. Given this, it is important for us to reach a clear understanding about how our relationship will work, and what each of us can expect. This consent will provide a clear framework for our work together. Feel free to discuss any of this with me.
You have taken a very courageous and positive step by deciding to seek therapy. The outcome of your treatment depends in part on your willingness to engage in this process, which may, at times, result in considerable discomfort. Remembering unpleasant events and becoming aware of feelings attached to those events can bring on strong feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, etc. There are no miracle cures. I cannot promise that your behavior or circumstance will change. I can promise to support you and do my very best to understand you and repeating patterns, as well as to help you clarify what it is that you want for yourself and support you where I can to help you move in that direction.
Length of Session
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS are 45 minutes. All sessions are VIRTUAL and will be conducted through TeleHealth by Simple Practice, ZOOM, or FACETIME. There is no plan for in-person sessions.
COUPLE SESSION are 55 minutes. All sessions are VIRTUAL and will be conducted through TeleHealth by Simple Practice, ZOOM, or FACETIME. There is no plan for in-person sessions. Note if you are in Couple Counseling, all individual sessions are 55 minutes and charged as a Couple Fee.
How We Communicate
Phone calls/emails/texts are typically returned each weekdays from 9am to 6pm on the same day but sometimes the following and within 24 hours. However, I try to return calls rather quickly and sometimes after hours when possible.
As a general rule phone calls received after 4 pm on Friday, can be returned the following Monday before noon.
For scheduling matters, phone, text, or email is okay.
Please make sure that the email address/ texts/ voicemail that you use is okay to contain confidential psychotherapy communications. It is preferred to share all therapeutic information in the session or if necessary on my voicemail to protect your privacy. Please do not send or share info that you do not have other people’s permission to share or send.
Cancellation & Rescheduling
Rescheduling? 48 HOUR NOTICE. If you call-text-email less than 24 hours and request to reschedule for any reason, you will be charged for the missed session unless we can find another day/time that specific week. To avoid these situations when we can, PLEASE CALL-TEXT-EMAIL as soon as possible to give us time to make changes. I will do the same. This reduces scheduling messages and makes our therapy sessions a priority and focused on the needs you are coming to address.
If You Are Late
Late? 20 minute waiting period.
If you are late PLEASE text me if you can, otherwise I will be available at least twenty minutes and text/call you before assuming you are not coming.
If you come into the TeleHealth counseling session within twenty minutes, the remainder of the 45 minutes will be your session. If you don’t come into the TeleHealth session at all for the whole period, there will be a charge for the full scheduled amount. If you have a credit card on file, it will be billed for full amount of session.
If I Am Late
Sometimes, though rarely, the session before yours may run over a few minutes. I will join you in the TeleHealth session as soon as I am free. If I do not come into the TeleHealth Session within five minutes of starting time, please text immediately. I will respond as soon as I can.
In the unlikely event that I don't text nor respond to your communication within 20 minutes, assume I am not coming. If this is an error on my part, there will be no charge for your next session and you will receive a sincere apology. This is a very rare occurrence but just in case, we will know what to do to get back on track and you will be compensated in this way for your time due to my error.
Method of Payment
I prefer credit card payments with a card on file through my online Client Portal. You can input your cared info there. I will not have access to the information except the last four digits and expiration date. If you prefer to pay by check, please make sure I received the check before the scheduled session.
Your session will be billed once session begins. Your credit card may be processed later in the day or on a day or so after your session.
A credit care receipt will be emailed to you when the charge is place on your credit card. This is not for insurance purposes, just a receipt of payment. Please ask for an insurance* statement for submission to your carrier if you use insurance for the session.
*Re insurance. I am a licensed MFT so my services do qualify for insurance compensation to you from your insurance company in most insurance situations as a “non-network” provider (except for Kaiser.) This means I am not on any insurance panel of providers, so I am paid by client in full each session (credit card), and I provide you an insurance session payment receipt that you submit to your insurance carrier. They would reimburse to you the amount that they cover. Check with your insurance what that benefit might be.
Counseling Fee Amount
The amount of your psychotherapy per-session fee will be sent to you by email or text with a copy office policy after a 10-20 introductory phone call; or, you can send an email to don@don-elium-psychotherapy or text to 925 256-8282, please put Fee Schedule Requested in the subject line. The current fee schedule for counseling services will be emailed to you along with basic office polices.
Note: The fee, starting with the first session, is a Good Faith Agreement that stays in place and will not change for a period of 12 months from that session as required by the state of California. Also, California MFT license is not allowed to accept Medicare payment for services.
Emergencies & Urgency
I am not immediately available in an emergency. I will return your call as soon as I can. I am usually very prompt in reponding to all communications, phone, text or email. I try to return these calls same day or by noon the next day.
Please know your emergency resources in your area as well in your personal network of friends, churches, and organizations. I will call back as soon as I can.
When you call, please tell me clearly that this is an emergency and leave your phone number twice (2 times) If you are in crisis, I will call you asap and if you like, you can schedule an additional session during the week.
If immediate attention is required, Contra Costa Crisis line is available 24 hours a day at 800 833-2900, for medical emergencies or police, dial 911.
Note the following point regarding returning phone calls.
• Phone Calls Returned Weekdays Phone calls are typically returned each weekdays from 9am to 6pm. However, I try to return calls rather quickly. As a general rule phone calls received after 4pm on Friday, can be returned the following Monday before noon.
Confidentality
The session content and all relevant materials regarding your treatment will be held confidential unless you requests 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:
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.
Occasionally I may need to consult with other professionals in their areas of expertise in order to provide the best treatment for you. Information about you may be shared in this context without using your name.
If we see each other accidentally outside of the therapy office, I will not acknowledge you first. Your right to privacy and confidentiality is of the utmost importance to me, and 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 feel it appropriate not to engage in any lengthy discussions in public or outside of the therapy office.
FOCUSED SESSIONS: Telehealth offers the conveniences of eliminating travel time and providing the immediacy of a familiar environment. It is important to make sure there is privacy, calm pets care, and to prepare food to be eaten before the session or after the session, and not eat during the session, unless there is a medical reason. Sessions in vehicle is okay. Please bring up any needs to make sessions work best for you.
Social Media Confidentiality
I do not accept “friend” requests or similar connections with clients, or their family members or friends, on social media. This is to protect your confidentiality and privacy. If you would like to “Like” my professional Facebook page or “Follow” me on Twitter, you may do so at your own risk. Please note that this is not a way to contact me, especially in an emergency.
Please note that any social media apps you use may seek to connect you with me or with other visitors to this office, through a “people you may know” or similar feature. I have no control over your apps that may intrude on the privacy of your treatment in this way. If you would like to minimise the risks of others becoming aware of your connection to me or this office, please make use of the privacy controls available on your phone. Turning off a social media app’s ability to know your location , and refusing it access to your email account and the contacts and story in your phone, protect your privacy and confidentiality.
