Welcome to my practice. This document contains information about my professional services and business policies, as well as information regarding your rights and responsibilities as a client. Colorado law requires that I obtain your signature acknowledging that I have provided you with this information. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions that you might have regarding this information.

COUNSELING ORIENTATION, TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Participating in counseling is a powerful means of becoming more aware of yourself, including your patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and of taking charge of your life. Many people seek counseling for relief of the stress, pain, or suffering they are experiencing, be that on a physical, mental, emotional or spiritual level. In my counseling practice, as in my personal life, I find that stress, discomfort, or even pain can be powerful catalysts for positive change. When we can find ways of bringing our full creativity, intelligence and compassion to the challenge of looking deeply into our lives, counseling becomes the beginning of a life-long process of self-reflection, self-discovery and freedom from confining definitions of self, others and the world.

I graduated with Distinction from the University of Oxford in the U.K. in 2018 with a Master’s degree in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. I received my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling in 2006 from Seattle University, and my B.A. from Williams College. I am licensed as a professional counselor, and opened my private practice in Durango, CO in early 2007.

In addition, I am Certified by the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness (CFM) as a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher, and Certified by the CFM and the Mindfulness Center at Brown University as a MBSR Teacher Trainer. This evidence-based health care program was developed at UMASS by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD in 1979. The work is grounded in the practice of paying attention from moment to moment without judgment, and is integrated into every aspect of my counseling. I have been teaching MBSR classes since 2006, and MBCT since 2015. I am also a long-time, ardent student and practitioner of yoga and mindfulness meditation.

I see my role as supporting you in actively investigating, cultivating, and mobilizing your innate potential for learning, growing, and healing, and for transforming personal suffering into a new way of embracing life.

COLORADO REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies has the general responsibility of regulating the practice of licensed psychologists, licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed school psychologists practicing outside the school setting, and unlicensed individuals who practice psychotherapy.

The agency within the Department that has responsibility specifically for licensed and unlicensed psychotherapists is the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Registrations, Mental Health Section, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, Colorado 80202, (303) 894-7800.

CLIENT RIGHTS REGARDING TREATMENT & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

You have the right to receive information from me about my methods of therapy, the duration of your therapy (if I can determine it), and my fee structure. Please ask if you would like to receive this information. You also have the right to participate in setting treatment goals, to seek a second opinion from another therapist, or to terminate therapy at any time. If you decide to terminate therapy, I ask that you come in for at least one final session to wrap things up.

In a professional relationship such as ours, sexual intimacy between a therapist and a client is never appropriate. If sexual intimacy occurs, it should be reported to the Department of Regula tory Agencies, Mental Health Section.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Generally speaking, all information provided by and to a client during therapy sessions is legally confidential and may not be revealed to others, or in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Colorado, without your written consent, except where disclosure is required by law, as listed in the Colorado Statutes (C.R.S. 12-43-218). Disclosure is required where there is a reasonable suspicion that a child, elderly person, or disabled person is being abused. It may be required when a patient presents a serious danger to themselves or others. It may also be required as a part of a legal proceeding. At times, I consult with other professionals about client issues, but do not use names, unless I have your written permission to do so.

APPOINTMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Counseling sessions are for 50 minutes, though shorter or longer sessions can be arranged. Please arrive on time to receive the full amount of your session time. Any phone consultation that exceeds 10 minutes will be charged on a prorated basis. As I reserve scheduled appointment times specifically for you, I ask for a minimum of 48 hours notice for any non-emergency cancellation and changes. Otherwise, you will be responsible for payment for the session time.

FEES

My fee is $135 for an individual counseling session, $200 for 1.5 hour-long session, and $70 for 30 minutes. If any difficulties arise during the course of treatment concerning ability to pay, I encourage you to discuss them with me so that appropriate adjustments can be made. Payment is due for sessions at the time of service.

EMERGENCIES

If you need to contact me between sessions, my number is # 970-779-0611. I will do my best to return messages on the same day, with the exception of weekends and holidays, but please allow 48 hours for a reply. If you are unable to reach me in a timely manner and are experiencing an emergency, please call the emergency room of your local hospital, or call 911.

At any time in our work together, please feel free to ask any questions you might have or for additional information.

I have read the preceding information and understand my rights as a client.