Lynn Schoenthal, MS, LPC
Schoenthal Counseling Services
1109 North Cooper Street
Arlington, Texas 76011
(817) 860-4081
PROFESSIONAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Qualifications:
After many years in the business world, I earned an MS in Counseling & Development from TWU and began my private practice fifteen years ago. I am licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and am qualified to counsel all age groups through individual, family and/or group therapy.
My experience includes work as both a private practitioner and non-profit agency therapist. I have enjoyed the privilege of working with clients through a wide range of personal and mental health issues including depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse recovery, relationship problems and adjustment issues.
Nature of Counseling:
I believe that all people are responsible, creative, decision-making beings who progress through life maturation by striving toward self-selected goals. At times, attempts to achieve these goals are frustrated, due to factors such as distorted perceptions of ourselves, our relationships or our situations. The purpose of counseling is to clarify goals, consider new options and implement plans aimed at attainment of client goals.
My role as a counselor is to establish a collaborative relationship based on mutual trust and respect. I will provide support and encouragement in order that we may attain a shared understanding of how your thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact to move you in a given direction. Together, we will utilize this understanding to actively work toward achievement of the goals you select.
Some clients require only a few counseling sessions to achieve therapeutic goals, while other may require months, or even years, of therapy. At any time, either you or I may initiate discussion of possible positive or negative effects of entering, continuing or discontinuing counseling as well as using or not using certain techniques. As a client, you are in complete control, and may choose to end our counseling relationship at any time, although I do ask that you participate in a closure session.
Individual sessions are usually held weekly or biweekly for 45 – 50 minutes, while group sessions usually last 90 minutes. Although our sessions may be very intimate, psychologically, ours is a professional relationship rather than a social one. Please do not invite me to social gatherings, offer me gifts, request me to write references or ask me to relate to you in any way other than the professional context of our counseling sessions. You will be best served if our sessions concentrate exclusively on your concerns.
Appointments may be scheduled by phone or in person. I assure you that my services will be rendered in a professional manner, consistent with accepted ethical standards. We will work together to achieve the best results for you, however, please note that it is impossible to guarantee specific results regarding your counseling goals.
If, at any time, you are dissatisfied with my services, please let me know. If I am not able to resolve your concerns, a report may be made to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors at: 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-3183. Telephone: 512/834-6658.
Other topics to be discussed:
· Should you and/or I believe that a referral to another therapist is warranted, I will provide some possible referral sources. A verbal exploration of alternatives to counseling will also be made available upon request.
· Fees and Cancellation Policies
· Records and Confidentiality
· Social Media Policy
All of our communication becomes part of the clinical record, which is accessible to you upon request. I will keep the contents of our sessions confidential, with the following exceptions: (a) I determine that you are a danger to yourself or others, (b) I am ordered by a court to disclose information, (c) you disclose sexual contact with another health professional, (d) you disclose knowledge of physical or sexual abuse to a minor or elder person or (e) you direct me to tell someone else.
By your signature below, you are indicating that you have read and understood this statement, and any questions you might have had about this statement have been answered to your satisfaction.
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Client Signature Date
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