Qualifications
I received a Master of Arts degree in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida in July 1987. I received a BA degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in June 1981. I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the State of North Carolina (#11414) and originally registered as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida (# MH2182). I have over 30 years of counseling experience working in a variety of settings, including clinical and private practice settings.
Counseling Background
I work primarily with adults, focusing on personal growth and life balance. I offer individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and relationship counseling. Theoretical orientation and types of techniques used include Energy Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy. People come to counseling because they want something to be different in their lives. I consider the therapeutic process to be collaborative. The clients’ perspective and the counselor’s perspective are both valued. Together, we work as a team to accomplish the therapeutic goals.
Session Fees and Length of Service
The length of therapeutic sessions for individuals is 55 minutes each. Relationship and family counseling and group therapy sessions are 85 minutes each. The fee for individual therapy is $85 per session, and the fee for relationship and family counseling is $125 per session. The group therapy fee is $45 per person per session. Sessions purchased in blocks of 8 will be discounted by ten percent. Please ask to make arrangements if you have special circumstances. Methods of payment include cash, check, or credit card. I do not accept insurance reimbursement assignments at this time. In the event that a check is returned unpaid, cash payments will be required.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
You have the right to ask me to explain my reasons for making certain recommendations or for using certain procedures. You also have the right to refuse to follow these recommendations, and/or to terminate the counseling process at any time and for any reason. I have the right and ethical responsibility to terminate counseling and offer a referral to another counselor if you choose not to follow my recommendations. Either of us may request a final session to discuss the reasons for termination, and to decide on an appropriate referral if desired. Please inform me if you are seeing another counselor or mental health professional during the course of our work together, so that we may provide consistent treatment for you. You have the right to confidentiality in the counseling relationship as described in the next section.
Diagnosis
The use of diagnosis may be required in the course of counseling. Clients should be aware that this diagnosis becomes a permanent part of the client’s record. Diagnosis codes are primarily used for insurance purposes.
Confidentiality
The counseling process is a confidential one. Even when the client is under the age of 18, the details of what happens in therapy cannot leave the session, except under court order, or when withholding the detailed information may result in harm to self or others. I encourage open communication when necessary and will provide parents with guidance and support; however it is counterproductive to treatment for details of a child/adolescent session, spouse session, etc, to be revealed to other family members. It is also counterproductive to treatment for a family member to ask a client about the details of a session. There are some circumstances in which confidentiality cannot be maintained. Those situations include when the client is at risk of harm to self or others, when there has been disclosure of abuse and/or neglect, when a court asks for records, or when information disclosed in a session involves criminal activity that must be reported to law enforcement. In all other circumstances, the client or legal guardian must sign a consent form for release of information to authorize communication with outside parties.
Attendance/Cancellation Policy
Our work can only be effective with commitment and continuity. If you must cancel or reschedule a scheduled appointment, at least 24 hours notice is required. The full fee is due for no-show appointments or cancellations with less than 24 hours notice. Professional fees are due when services are rendered. Fees are due and subject to collection efforts for all missed and no-show appointments.
I work to be on schedule and respect the value of your time. Please be on time for your scheduled sessions, as other clients may have appointments with me immediately following yours. Note that if you are late, the session will still end on time, and you will still be responsible for full payment.
Complaints/Grievances
If you are not satisfied with my services, I encourage you to express those concerns to me. If you are not satisfied with the response, follow the instructions for filing a complaint with the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors
North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors
PO Box 77819, Greensboro, NC 27417
Telephone: 844-622-3572; fax 336-217-6007
Complaints@ncblcmhc.org
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Users' privacy will be respected to the extent that their personal information will not be sold without the users' express consent, but any other rights are reserved by the owner(s) of WNC Counseling. Users' information and/or activity may be used is a court of law, if it is demanded
of WNC Counseling.
WNC Counseling will collect, analyze, and use information to evaluate its services and user activities, and contact users, as it deems appropriate. If any user does not agree to these terms, they must halt their use of this site.
Users must be respectful, avoid negative behavior, avoid slander, proselytizing, selling, defaming, etc. Any violation of these terms may result in prevention of access to information and services.