Psychotherapy Policies & Procedures

Psychotherapy

The major goal of psychotherapy is to help you identify and cope effectively with problems in daily living and to deal with inner conflicts which may be disruptive to daily life. This purpose is accomplished by:

  • Increasing personal awareness.
  • Increasing personal responsibility and acceptance to make changes necessary to attain your goals.
  • Identifying personal treatment goals.
  • Promoting wholeness through psychotherapy.
    You are responsible for providing necessary information to facilitate effective treatment. Playing an active role can enhance treatment effectiveness. Your progress in therapy often depends much more on what you do between sessions than on what happens in the session.

Appointments

Appointments are usually scheduled for 50 minutes. Clients are generally seen weekly or more/less frequently as acuity dictates and you and your therapist agree.
You may discontinue treatment at any time but we encourage you to discuss this decision with your therapist.

In the event of an emergency, if you are unable to reach your therapist, you may call your primary care physician or the local emergency room

Confidentiality

Issues discussed in therapy are important and are generally legally protected as both confidential and “privileged.” However, there are limits to the privilege of confidentiality. These situations include:

  • Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person or a disabled person,
  • When your psychiatrist or therapist believes you are in danger of harming yourself or another person or you are unable to care for yourself,
  • If you report that you intend to physically injure someone the law requires your therapist to inform that person as well as the legal authorities,
  • If your therapist is ordered by a court to release information as part of legal involvement in company litigation, etc.,
  • When otherwise required by law. You may be asked to sign a Release of Information so that your therapist may speak with other mental health professionals or to family members.

Record Keeping

A clinical chart is maintained describing your treatment and progress in treatment, dates of and fees for sessions, and notes describing each therapy session. Your records will not be released without your written consent, unless in those situations as outlined in the Confidentiality section above. Medical records are locked and kept on site.

Payments

Payment is due at the time of the session. Sessions are $120.

Caudill & Carden charges $150 per hour for additional professional services such as report or letter writing. Any work performed outside the office (including travel time to alternate locations) will also be billed to you at a rate of $150 per hour.

Cancellations and Missed Appointments

If you need to cancel an already scheduled session, we require 48-hour notice by email or phone (notice must be given during working days, Monday-Friday) in order to avoid being charged for a missed session. Missed session fees are the same cost as regular session fees. You may leave messages 24 hours per day.

Complaints

You have a right to have your complaints heard and resolved in a timely manner. If you have a complaint about your treatment, your therapist, or any office policy please inform us immediately.

Consent for Treatment

A decision to begin psychotherapy with Jan Carden, LCSW or Joseph Caudill, LCSW signals agreement with these fees and policies.