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This
information is intended to assist clients in understanding the counseling
services provided at InnerWork in regard to appointments, fees,
insurance coverage, and other assorted topics.
| 1) |
Description
and Limitations of Services: |
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a) |
Glen Tig, M.A., LPC is a Jungian psychotherapist specializing
in both relationship counseling and depth psychotherapy for
individuals.
(After
an initial trial period of 3 to 4 sessions, clients who continue
to work with Glen usually approach their counseling/therapy/innerwork
as a long-term commitment which may span from 6 months to
several years. Customarily, clients commit to sessions 2 to
3 months in advance.)
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b) |
As a rule, Glen Tig does NOT provide short-term counseling,
emergency care, crisis intervention, or case management services.
(Glen
will make every effort to be available to clients during a
true emergency, but for the most part, Glen's services are
limited to scheduled appointments - either on the phone or
in person).
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| 2) |
Appointments
and Cancellations: |
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a) |
InnerWork sessions are usually scheduled 2-3 months in advance. Clients are requested
to make EVERY effort to keep EVERY appointment.
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b) |
A 30-day notice is required for
all cancellations. Full payment will be
charged for all sessions cancelled less than 30 days ahead
of time.
Charging
for "no shows" or last-minute cancellations
is not a punitive measure but a practical business policy.
In contrast to appointments with medical doctors (or many
other professionals), your contract in therapy is not just
payment for a service, but also a contract to reserve your “seat” (just
for you) for a specific time slot. While you may have good
reasons for canceling or not showing up, your seat cannot
easily be made available for another client. Additionally,
s ince Glen commutes from Canada, he can only maintain the
North Carolina office if all client time slots are paid for
in full.
That being said, Glen makes every effort to fill vacancies
created by short-notice cancellations. If this is successful,
the client who cancelled is not charged. |
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c) |
In case of contagious illnesses (even a cold), clients are requested
to contact Glen by phone or e-mail to discuss rescheduling for a phone session. |
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d) |
When client payment does
not involve insurance reimbursement, clients often approach
their fees as a "retainer",
making monthly payments at the beginning of each month, expecting
no reimbursement for missed sessions. |
| 3) |
Telephone
Policy: |
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a) |
With prior arrangements, clients may choose to hold sessions
over the telephone. |
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b) |
Except
in rare cases of emergency, telephone sessions should be scheduled
ahead of time. |
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c) |
Fees per session are the same over the phone as in the office.
On the phone however, clients may occasionally be responsible
for some long distance charges. Whereas office sessions are
usually scheduled for 50 minutes, phone sessions can sometimes
be more flexible in length (charged on a pro-rated basis). |
| 4) |
Insurance
Reimbursement & Diagnoses (pertaining to clients in the US):
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a) |
Insurance regulations are an inescapable reality in modern counseling
practices. However, at InnerWork, we strive to keep such outside
intrusions to a minimum. |
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b) |
For example, almost all insurance companies will only reimburse
for sessions that are 45-50 minutes in length. Since Innerwork
sessions frequently last longer, payment arrangements for additional
time are agreed upon individually with each client. |
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c) |
Counseling sessions may or may not be reimbursable on a client's
insurance plan. |
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d) |
Except when arrangements are made ahead of time, clients are
responsible for filing their own insurance claims. When clients
pay at the time of service, they will be given a billing invoice
for insurance purposes. |
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e) |
Regardless of determinations made by insurance carriers, clients
are responsible for full payment of fees. |
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f) |
Before providing reimbursement, insurance companies customarily
require that clients be given a formal, mental health diagnosis.
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g) |
Upon request, Glen Tig will discuss diagnoses with clients before
providing them to an insurance company. |
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h) |
Any diagnosis made will become a part of a client's permanent
medical/insurance records. |
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i) |
Due
to concerns over confidentiality, InnerWork Psychotherapy and
Counseling does not participate in any "managed care" programs |
| 5) |
Confidentiality:
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All
information shared in a session will be kept confidential. However,
due to state, provincial, and federal laws, Glen Tig may be
required to reveal certain information under the following circumstances:
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a) |
If Glen Tig suspects from something a client says that a child
or elder has been (or will be) abused or neglected. |
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b) |
If
Glen Tig suspects from something a client said that the client
intends to harm him/herself or another person. |
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c) |
If a judge orders Glen Tig to release information. |
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