Initial Phone Consultation
I am happy to offer you a free 15 minute consultation by phone before we meet in person.
Fees
I charge an hourly rate of $125/hr. I have a sliding scale for those with a limited income. Payment is due at the time of service. Unfortunately, I am not able to accept credit cards. Although I am not on any insurance panels, I am happy to provide you with an invoice for reimbursement from your own health insurance provider. Some insurance companies will allow you to choose an out of network mental health provider and will reimburse you directly.
Meetings
The frequency of our sessions is something we decide together, based on your needs. Typically, we begin by meeting weekly. My therapy sessions normally consist of a 55 minute hour. Family sessions may require 85-minute sessions. The last 5 minutes of the session are used for payment of fees and scheduling your next appointment. It is my responsibility to be in charge of the time. If we run overtime in order to complete some important process in therapy, you will not be charged for this time.
Confidentiality
All licensed therapists are bound legally and ethically to uphold confidentiality. This is the key to making therapy a safe place for you. All personal information, including what you share and discuss with me in our sessions, is private and may not be disclosed without your permission, except in the case of legal order of subpoena. All written information and records are maintained in confidential, locked files.
There are some important exceptions to confidentiality. As a licensed therapist in California, I must:
- report any reasonable suspicion of child, adult, or elder abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
- notify police and assist in warning the intended victim if you (or your child) threaten to seriously hurt someone.
- protect you from harm if I believe you (or your child) are likely to harm yourself (i.e. threats of suicide) by contacting a family member, the police, or a medical facility.
- protect you from harm if you (or your child) are gravely disabled and unable to take care of yourself.
- release needed information to a doctor or hospital treating you (or your child) for a medical or psychological emergency.
- share information about you (or your child) when ordered by the court.
- report to police that your child has been the victim of a crime if s/he is under sixteen (and I think disclosure of confidential information is in his/her best interest).
Digital Privacy
Since privacy and confidentiality are foundation of the therapeutic relationship, it is critical to understand the risks of using electronic communication for communicating protected health information. It is not possible to completely guarantee the security of electronic communication, so it is important to be cautious in this area. I do not interface with clients on social media sites to assure confidentiality and maintain professional boundaries.
If you have questions, please feel free to call me at 408.251.8633 or email me at anne_kangas@hotmail.com.