Practice Policies

Welcome. This page is designed to help you understand important policies and expectations related to therapy services. These policies support clear communication, protect your rights, and help ensure a safe and effective therapeutic relationship.

A full informed consent document and additional practice forms are provided during the intake process.

Nature of Therapy and Informed Consent

Therapy is a collaborative process that may involve discussing difficult experiences, emotions, and patterns of behavior. Benefits of therapy may include increased insight, emotional relief, and improved coping skills. Therapy can also involve discomfort as we explore challenging topics.

Participation in therapy is voluntary. You have the right to ask questions, to participate actively in your treatment, and to discontinue services at any time.

Confidentiality and Its Limits

Your privacy is a central part of ethical and effective therapy. Information shared in therapy is confidential and will not be disclosed without your written authorization, except in the following circumstances required by law:

  • If there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or others

  • If there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult

  • If records are ordered by a court of law

  • If disclosure is otherwise required by law

Additional information about privacy practices is provided in the Notice of Privacy Practices.

Communication Between Sessions

Email and text messaging are used for scheduling and administrative purposes only. These methods are not appropriate for clinical communication or crisis support.

Typical response time for non-urgent messages is within 1–2 business days. Messages received outside of business hours may be addressed the next business day.

Secure client portal messaging should be used when communicating about therapy-related matters whenever possible.

Emergency and Crisis Policy

Therapy services are not designed to provide 24/7 crisis coverage.

If you are experiencing an emergency or are in immediate danger, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

You may also contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org. This service is available 24/7.

Fees and Payment

Fees for services will be discussed prior to the start of therapy. Payment is due at the time of service unless otherwise arranged.

Accepted forms of payment, insurance participation (if applicable), and billing procedures will be reviewed during intake.

Clients who are self-pay are entitled to receive a Good Faith Estimate of services as required under the No Surprises Act.

Cancellation and No-Show Policy

A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for appointment cancellations or rescheduling.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments (no-shows), may be subject to a late cancellation fee. This policy helps protect the reserved time set aside for each client.

Exceptions may be made for true emergencies or unexpected circumstances.

Telehealth Services

Telehealth services are provided using a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. While telehealth offers convenience and accessibility, it also carries potential risks such as technical difficulties or limits to privacy in the client’s environment.

Clients are responsible for:

  • Ensuring they are in a private location during sessions

  • Using a secure internet connection

  • Not recording sessions without consent

Telehealth services are provided only to clients physically located in the state(s) where the clinician is licensed at the time of the session.

Social Media and Professional Boundaries

To protect your privacy and the therapeutic relationship:

  • Friend or connection requests from current or former clients on social media platforms are not accepted

  • Interactions through public comments or direct messages related to therapy are avoided

  • Reviews on public platforms are discouraged to protect client confidentiality

This policy is in place to maintain ethical boundaries and protect your privacy.

Records and Documentation

Clinical records are maintained as required by law and professional standards. Clients have the right to request access to their records, subject to legal and ethical guidelines.

Records are retained for the time period required under Texas law (typically at least seven years for adults and longer for minors).

Scope of Practice

Services are provided within the clinician’s scope of training and licensure. Information about specialties, populations served, and therapeutic approaches is available throughout the website.

Referrals may be provided when client needs fall outside the scope of practice.

Consultation

At times, clinicians may seek consultation with other professionals to support high-quality care. Client identities are protected during consultation, and no identifying information is shared unless authorized.

Filing a Complaint

Clients have the right to file a complaint if they believe a therapist has violated professional standards or state law.

If you believe I have acted in a way that is unethical or unprofessional, you may file a complaint with the agency responsible for licensing and regulating mental health professionals in Texas:

Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
Website: https://bhec.texas.gov/how-to-file-a-complaint/
Phone: 1-800-821-3205
Email: Enforcement@bhec.texas.gov

Mailing Address:
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
Enforcement Division
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 7.300
Austin, TX 78701

Policy Updates

These practice policies may be updated as needed to reflect changes in laws, technology, or practice procedures. Clients will be notified of significant updates when applicable.

If you have questions about any of these policies, you are encouraged to discuss them during your consultation or session.