Office Policy and Disclosure of Information
Approach
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a registered Art Therapist with a Master's Degree in Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, and Art Therapy. I operate from a culturally sensitive, person centered approach and depending on your needs, pull from a wide array of theoretical orientations. I believe that all people have inherent wisdom and that through the creative process of therapy, solutions to all of life's problems exist. You may be seeking therapy due to anxiety, interpersonal pain, relational discord, dissatisfaction with one of many areas of your life, listlessness, overwhelming anger, loneliness, a desire for a deeper sense of self, depression, transition, addiction, grief and loss, or any number or combination of these and other life issues. I believe that many problems are gifts as they provide us opportunity for change and growth.
Therapist and Client Responsibilities
My responsibility to you includes confidentiality, honesty, knowledge, experience, and on-going clinical consultation and training. I view my job as not to do work for you, but to help provide a supportive environment while gently pusing you at your growing edges from time to time. I will likely make observations and suggestions, and provide feedback. I will periodically check in with you about how you feel about the work we are doin. Should it become apparent that I am not able to meet your needs in counseling, I will readily provide you with referrals to other therapists.
I encourage you to be honest, open, willing, and committed to your own change although I realize that those can be difficult tasks. I believe that counseling is a collaboration between therapist and client and I believe that the more open and hones you are, the more you will benefit in therapy. You are in charge of your therapy and your life. If you have any questions, concerns, or are unhappy with your therapy, I encourage you to discuss this with me so that we can work to better meet your needs. You have the right to request a change in the way we are working, to take a break, or to discontinue therapy at any time. Because I see therapy as a collaborative relationship I believe it is important to discuss all aspects of our work together, including checking in about ongoing progress and termination.
Confidentiality
All information you share with me is confidential and will not be shared with any other person or agency except under the following circumstances:
There is a medical or psychiatric emergency.
You sign a release of information form specifying the information to be disclosed, as well as the person(s) to whom this information can be released. (Release of Information Form)
I have reason to believe that you may be in danger or harming yourself or others or cannot meet your basic needs.
I have reason to believe that a child, elderly person, or developmentally disabled person is being abused in any way.
You are involved in a lawsuit or legal situation and the court subpoenas your records.
During professional consultation. I seek occasional consultation with other clinicians. These discussions are done under strictly professional and confidential circumstances, and I make every effort to hide the identity of clients to protect privacy.
Due to the nature of art therapy you will be asked to sign an additional release regarding your artwork. This release is a document giving permission to share artwork during my clinical and professional consultation as well as possibly to be posted on my website or submitted for publication. As with all of our work together, artwork will be presented in a way that will protect your identity.
You may notice that there are other therapists and practitioners in the office. We each have separate practices and I am operating as a sole practitioner in this space.
Scheduling, Fees, and Appointments
Each 55-60-minute appointment is $150-$200. We can establish the cost that works best for you.
I am a preferred provider with Regence BlueShield, First Choice, Premera, and Kaiser PPO. If you have another insurance that I am not a preferred provider for, you may pay me directly and request reimbursement from your insurance or I can bill your insurance for you. If I bill your insurance, you are responsible to pay any co-pay, co-insurance, and deductible fees that are associated with your insurance plan. You will need all this information prior to our first appointment. I am available to help you through this process. Payment is due at the end of each appointment. I accept cash, checks made out to Drawbridge Counseling, and credit cards.
Please note that I will not appear in court unless subpoenaed. If you are involved in litigation or other legal matters and I am subpoenaed to appear in court, standard rates for all appearances and preparation apply and you will be responsible for payment at the time of service. This includes any paperwork or documentation requested at any hearing, court case, or other legal or professional request.
Cancellation Policy: If you cannot make it to a session, please call me as soon as you are able to so that I can reschedule your appointment. Cancellations that are made less than 24 hours in advance will be charged the full fee.
To make an appointment, or to cancel/reschedule an appointment, please call me at 206-948-5289 or email me at katy@drawbridgecounseling.com. I check messages periodically each day and will try to return your message or call within 24 hours. In the event of an emergency or crisis, please call 206-467-3222 to speak with someone at the Crisis Line. If I will be unavailable for an extended period of time, I will provide you with the name of a colleague to contact if necessary.
Professional Background
I received my M.A. in Psychology with a dual degree in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy. I am fully licensed in Washington as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. LH 60335665 I am also a nationally registered Board Certified Art Therapist (ATCB:10-159) and a Washington State Approved Supervisor.
Your Rights
I keep some records of the meetings that we have and the services I provide to you. You have the right to see those records at any time. You have the right to know your diagnosis (if applicable) and I hope that you will participate actively in guiding your own therapy. If you feel unhappy or dissatisfied with something that has occurred in our work, I ask that you talk with me about it. If you feel you would like to take your complaint further, please let me know and I will provide you with information on whom to contact.
The State of Washington requires me to provide the following disclosures:
WAC 308-190-040: 'Counselors practicing counseling for a fee must be registered or certified with the Department of Health for the protection of the public health and safety. Registration of an individual with the department does not include a recognition of any practice standards, nor necessarily implies the effectiveness of any treatment. '
I do not engage in close personal or sexual relationships with clients or former clients.
Your signature below indicates that you have read the information in this document and agree to abide by its terms during our professional relationship.
By filling out this portion and signing below, I acknowledge that I have read this disclosure statement and have printed a copy for my records.