HANNAH CARATTI, MFT, MFC 50289

(707) 494-7470 www.counselingyogameditation.com

Office Policies and General Information

Welcome!

I encourage you to let me know, at any time, of any concerns or questions you may have regarding counseling and/or psychotherapy with me.

I encourage clients to make a firm commitment to their healing process and to attend sessions on a regular basis. Weekly sessions, or bi-weekly if necessary, help to establish a firm foundation for the therapeutic relationship that we can create together.

Confidentiality

All information discussed during the course of therapy is confidential and may not be released without your written permission, except where required by law. Disclosure is required when:

·  the therapist has reason to believe a client is in danger of hurting him or herself or someone else;

·  in cases of suspected child, elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect;

·  pursuant to a court order as part of a legal proceeding.

In couples and family therapy, confidentiality does not apply between the couple or individual family members. When using insurance, your insurance carrier may need basic information to process your claims.

Due to the nature of the therapeutic process and that it often involves discussing matters of a sensitive and confidential nature, I agree that should there be legal proceedings, neither I nor my attorney will call on Hannah Caratti, MFT to testify in court or at any other proceedings, nor will we request disclosure of therapy records.

Telephone and Emergency Procedures

Please leave a message at 707-494-7470 if you need to contact me between sessions, and I will return your call as soon as possible. I make every effort to return phone calls within 24 hours, usually from 9am-7pm on weekdays. If you need to speak to someone immediately, please call the 24-hour crisis center in Sonoma County: (707) 576-8181, or the Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-255-2555.

Phone Calls Brief phone calls will not be charged for. Please let me know if you need a longer call or phone appointment. These will be charged at the rate that we have agreed on for your regular counseling appointments with me.

Payments and Insurance Reimbursement My fee is $120. per 50-minute session. I offer a sliding scale for clients in need. Please let me know what can work for you.

Cancellations

Please notify me if you are unable to keep an appointment. I am blessed with a full and busy practice and may have clients seeking an appointment on a waitlist. You will be charged for a missed session without 48-hour advanced notice of cancellation that is not related to a true emergency. However, if you have cold or flu symptoms, please call to reschedule your appointment; there will be no charge for that. If you are more than 15 minutes late for a session and have not called to tell me you'll be late, I'll consider this a "no show" and make other plans for that time.

Substance Use/Abuse Policy

As we work together therapeutically, it is important that I be made aware of the role that alcohol or other addictive substances may play in the emotional state of any family members. If, during the course of counseling, it seems that substance use or abuse is inhibiting your ability to benefit from therapy, I may request that you participate in an additional recovery program as part of your therapy.

Ending Therapy

You have the right to end therapy at any time. I do ask that we have at least one ending session. We will also use that time to help you identify whatever issues may be still be outstanding and to make any referrals that may be useful for you. Sometimes issues can evoke feelings that result in a client not wanting to come to therapy. If this becomes true for you, I encourage you to discuss it with me. It can be of great benefit to your therapy.

Consent for Treatment

I understand that Hannah Caratti, MFT is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. I have discussed my areas of concern with her and have willingly chosen to use her services. I agree to discuss any questions or problems with Ms. Caratti should they arise during the course of therapy. I understand that if Ms. Caratti is unavailable due to any emergency, that her colleagues, Connie Kinnison, MFT or Julie Green, MFT may call me to let me know.

I have read and understand these office policies and procedures regarding therapy and I have been advised of my right to confidentiality and its exceptions.

I agree to pay $ ______per session and to cancel any session 48 hours in advance (unless I have a cold/flu) or be charged for it.

Signed: ______(client/parent/guardian)

Date: ______Name______(printed)

Address:

Please note the best times to reach you at the numbers below. Let me know if I may leave a message for you there.

Phone:(home)

Phone: (work) ______Cell Phone:______