This information sheet covers a number of important issues related to your therapy. I will be glad to discuss any of them with you if you have questions.
Confidentiality
All information discussed in psychotherapy is confidential and I am obligated by California law and by the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics to protect your right to confidentiality. This means that I must have your permission before revealing any information about you to anyone, with the following exceptions: All information shared in the Power Hour is recorded and shared in a group membership site. The Power Hour is Education, Informational, Entertainment, and my role in the group is as a Parenting Coach.
Legal Limitations
I am obligated by law to disclose information obtained by me in psychotherapy under certain legally defined situations. These situations include: 1) if you are a danger to yourself or to others; 2) if you tell me about an incident of child abuse by you or someone else which indicates that a minor child is in current danger; or 3) if you tell me about an incident of physical abuse of someone over age 65 or a disabled adult. We can discuss these situations if you have questions or if a specific condition arises.
Termination
You may refuse or terminate treatment at any time for any reason. The termination process is an important one and the usual minimal termination for an ongoing treatment process is several weeks or longer.
Fees
My standard fee for a private one on one psychotherapy session for January 2019 – January 2020 is $550.00 per 50-minute clinical hour or package of 8 sessions for $3,500.00 that must be used within the month. (unless discussed and agreed upon by DrBeth) Sessions may be used over the phone, skype, or in combination with any person you choose. Fees are payable to Dr. Beth Halbert before each session unless otherwise agreed. From time to time my fees may be adjusted. I will inform you at least one month prior to any fee increase. I schedule appointments to begin and end on time, which means that your session time is reduced if you are late in arriving.
My standard fee for Legal or Court related service is $850.00 per hour. This includes and is not limited to reviewing, writing documents, time with other providers doing research, and actual court time including travel. If subpoenaed or asked to participate in court, the cost will be an 8-hour day rate 6,000.00. Any legal time will be agreed upon upfront by both parties.
If you have purchased a package, I do not charge for telephone calls, emails, or texting of ten minutes or less. My charge for telephone calls of more than ten minutes is prorated based on your fee for a 50-minute session.
If you would like to meet in person there is a 2-session minimum and travel time to your home.
Scheduling and Cancellation
Psychotherapy is most effective when we are able to meet consistently at least once a week. When I agree to work with you on the issues that you bring to therapy, I make a commitment to set aside time in my schedule for that purpose. Therefore, you will be charged your regular fee for any missed sessions except for the following:
Holidays, Vacations, or Therapist’s Absence:
There is no charge for any regularly scheduled appointments that occur on a holiday, your vacation or during my absence.
We can discuss any questions or unusual circumstances as they arise. A 48 hour business day notice is
necessary for cancellations or to make changes. The missed session fee will be due prior to or by the next
scheduled appointment.
Payment
Payment for each session is due before the session. Payment for any telephone call charge is due before the next scheduled session.
Phone Contact
Please call me at your scheduled time. If you need to talk to me between scheduled sessions, you may leave a private message on my answering machine at any time at (925) 403-4113. On workdays I check my voice mail several times during the day. I endeavor to call you back within the same day I receive a call. Calls received after 5:00 pm PST or on the weekends and holidays may not be returned until the next morning or the first day of the workweek.
My Best Method of Contact
If you need to reach me in an emergency please text or call my phone. I rarely check email. If you send me an email and you do not get a timely response, please send me a text with subject line and sending email and I will do a search to make sure I received it.