Our Terms & Conditions for Therapy Services

Welcome to Maplewood Counseling. We are honored that you are considering us as your partner in your journey toward healing and growth. To create a therapeutic relationship that is clear, respectful, and effective, it is important to establish a mutual understanding of the terms of our work together. This document outlines our counseling service policies and the client responsibilities in therapy.

We believe that transparency is a cornerstone of trust. These terms and conditions are designed to provide you with a clear framework for our professional relationship, ensuring that you feel informed and respected from your very first session. Please read this page carefully, as it details our policies regarding financial responsibilities, scheduling, communication, and confidentiality. Our goal is to create a safe, predictable, and supportive environment where you can focus on what matters most: your well-being.

Your Guide to Our Counseling Service Policies

By beginning therapy with Maplewood Counseling, you are agreeing to the following terms. These policies are designed to ensure our therapeutic relationship is professional, ethical, and effective for everyone involved.

Financial Responsibilities and Payment for Services

Your investment in therapy is an investment in yourself and your relationships. We aim to make the financial aspect of our work as straightforward as possible.

• Payment for Sessions: Payment is due at the time that services are rendered. To make the process seamless, we require a credit card on file, which will be charged at the end of each session.
• Insurance and Reimbursement: Maplewood Counseling is an out-of-network provider, meaning we are not directly contracted with any insurance companies. You are responsible for the full payment of your session fee. However, we can help you seek reimbursement. We will provide you with a detailed receipt, often called a “superbill,” which contains all the necessary information (service codes, diagnosis, etc.) for you to submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network benefits. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to understand your specific coverage.
• Fees for Services: Please discuss your specific clinician’s fees directly with them. In addition to session fees, please be aware that additional charges may apply for other professional services you may request. These can include writing reports or letters, extensive phone consultations, or collaborating with other providers involved in your care. Your therapist will always discuss these potential fees with you in advance.

Cancellation Policy: Honoring Our Time Together

Your appointment time is a commitment we make to each other. It is a space held exclusively for you. To ensure we can offer this dedicated time to all our clients, we have a firm cancellation policy.

We require 48 hours’ notice for the cancellation or rescheduling of an appointment.

If you cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice, or if you miss your appointment, you will be billed for the full cost of the session. We understand that emergencies happen, and any exceptions to this policy are made at the discretion of your individual clinician.

Communication and Emergency Procedures

Open communication is vital, both in and out of our sessions.

• Routine Communication: Your therapist will return phone calls and messages promptly during their regular business hours. They will also inform you in advance of any planned absences, such as vacations, and will provide you with information about coverage during that time.
• Emergency Situations: Maplewood Counseling is not a crisis or emergency service. In the event of a clinical emergency, please call your clinician directly. However, if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, believe you are a danger to yourself or others, or need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Your safety is the top priority.

Your Right to Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the bedrock of therapy. Everything you share with your therapist is private and protected by law. We are deeply committed to safeguarding your information and creating a space where you feel safe to be vulnerable.

However, it is important for you to understand the legal and ethical limits of confidentiality. A therapist is required by law to break confidentiality in the following specific situations:

1. Risk of Harm to Self or Others: If you express a serious intention to harm yourself or another person, your therapist has a professional duty to take steps to protect everyone’s safety.
2. Suspected Child or Elder Abuse: If there is reason to suspect that a child, an elderly person, or a vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected, therapists are mandated reporters and must report this to the appropriate authorities.
3. Court Order: If we receive a legally binding court order to release your records, we must comply with the law.

Your therapist will discuss these exceptions with you at the beginning of your work together to ensure you have a complete understanding of your rights and the protections in place.

Our Shared Commitment to Your Growth

These terms and conditions for therapy are designed to create a strong, transparent container for our work together. Understanding these client responsibilities in therapy allows you to engage fully in the process, knowing what to expect.

Our expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness are demonstrated not only in our therapeutic skills but also in our commitment to clear, ethical, and professional practices. We are honored to be a part of your journey and are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care.

If you have any questions about these policies, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your clinician. We are here to ensure you feel comfortable and confident as we begin our work together.