Policy

 and Rights and responsibilities
  • You have the right to respectful care, confidentiality and consent to therapeutic treatment.
  • Confidentiality means that any information given to the psychotherapist, including your presence here, cannot be confirmed or given to anyone outside of this office without your written consent.
  • This right may be waived if clear and present danger or physical harm to you or another person becomes apparent.
  • In addition, the therapist may discuss referral to another professional if it is believed that more appropriate treatment may be offered by another psychotherapist or other helping professional.

Fees
  • Individual, couple and family sessions are charged $110 per hour, with sessions normally 60 minutes.
  • Classes and group sessions range from 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the type of group, and are charged $15 to $65. 
  • Fees vary for extended sessions, classes, seminars, other programs or in-home visits.
  • Reduced tuition may be available to students in training sessions. Phone calls longer than 10 minutes will be billed accordingly.

Payment
  • Payment is expected at time of service unless other arrangements have been made.
  • Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card.

Health insurance
  • Karen does not take health insurance; however, she will provide a receipt so that you can submit for reimbursement to your health insurance company or HSA or similar account.
  • Please check with your insurance company or employee assistance program for coverage information or reimbursement. Karen is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania.

No-show policy
  • The hour that you have scheduled for with your therapist is reserved especially for you. Clients will be charged a no-show fee of $65 for missing a scheduled individual session unless 24-hour notice of cancellation is given, genuine emergencies excepted.
  • Group members are expected to reserve for their group sessions and give 24-hour notification if they cannot attend, genuine emergencies excepted. 
Electronic communications
  • In keeping with federal health regulations, I do not provide advice or guidance online, nor do I respond to personally identifiable issues posed to me by e-mail.
  • I discourage you from revealing personal matters by e-mail due to the potential for privacy and confidentiality violations.

Voice mail
  • Confidential voice mail is available at (717) 466-0788 to take calls, including cancellations and requests for information.
  • I do not provide a pager number or other forms of emergency services.

Away from office
  • Due to my training and presentation schedule, which sometimes takes me out of the office -- as well as vacation time and other obligations -- I may not be able to consistently offer weekly appointments.
  • Back-up coverage by another psychotherapist may be recommended during those times as well as during vacation weeks.

Emergency
  • If you are experiencing an emotional crisis and no therapist or other support is available, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.