INFORMATION FOR MY CLIENTS
ABOUT Life Journey Counseling Services
(Professional Disclosure Statement)
Welcome! I appreciate your trust and the opportunity to be of
assistance to you. This letter is designed to answer some
frequently asked questions about my practice and our
relationship, so please read all of it before you sign it at the
end to indicate your understanding of office procedures
and your willingness to abide by these policies. As you
read it, please jot down any questions that come to mind so we
can discuss them at our first meeting. This document is
yours to keep for future reference.
1. My approach to Psychotherapy: You can only make the best
decisions if you have enough information and understanding of how
psychotherapy works. Let me discuss some aspects of psychotherapy
as I see it. I embrace an eclectic approach to counseling. In
other words, my style is a combination of many techniques, some
of which include cognitive behavior therapy, Dialectical
Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and others.
Therapy can be a large commitment of time, money and energy,
so a counselor should be carefully chosen. I strongly believe you
should be comfortable, encouraged and optimistic with the
counselor you choose.
You have the right to ask me about other treatments for your
condition and their risks and benefits. If you could benefit from
any treatments, I know about that I cannot provide, I have an
ethical obligation to assist you in obtaining those treatments.
If at any time you wish another professional's opinion and wish
to consult with another counselor, I can assist you in finding
someone qualified and provide them with any information needed,
included a summary of the services you have been provided.
Psychotherapy is not like visiting a medical doctor in that it
requires your very active involvement and efforts to change your
thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I will ask for your feedback
and views on your therapy, the efforts and progress we are
making, and other aspects; and I will expect you to be open about
these. Offering your views and responses when they are important
to you, even if I don't ask, is one of the ways you can be an
active partner in your therapy. There are no instant, painless,
or passive cures, no "magic pills." Instead, there may be
homework assignments, exercises, practice sessions, and
record‑keeping, and perhaps other projects. Probably you will
have to work on relationships and make long‑term efforts. Change
will sometime be easy and swift, but more often it will be slow
and frustrating with a need for repetition. If treatment is not
progressing, I cannot ethically just keep working with you. I may
then suggest that you see another counselor or professional in
addition to or instead of me. For example, I may suggest that you
see a physician for evaluation or prescription of medications or
attend self‑help group meetings. In that event, I would fully
discuss my reasoning and recommendations with you ahead of time
so that we can come to an agreement.
I see therapy as a collaborative process -- one which defines
the problem areas to be worked on and where assistance is offered
in making the desired changes.
Periodically, together, we can evaluate our progress and goals
and, if necessary, design a treatment plan, goals and
methods.
As with any powerful treatment, there are both benefits and
risks associated with psychotherapy. Risks might include
experiencing uncomfortable levels of feelings like sadness,
guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness;
recalling unpleasant aspects of your history; missing work or
school; or appearing or being judged as mentally disturbed or
inadequate. Difficulties with people important to you may occur;
family secrets may be disclosed; and, despite our best efforts,
therapy may not work out well. Some changes may lead to worsening
of your problems or even losses (for example, therapy may lead to
the decision to separate or divorce).
Despite this, you should know that psychotherapy has been
repeatedly scientifically demonstrated to be of benefit for most
people and in most situations. Benefits might include the lifting
of a depression or no longer feeling afraid or angry or anxious.
You will have the opportunity to "talk things out" fully and
completely until you are satisfied. Relationships and skills may
improve dramatically. You may be better able to cope with social
or family relationships, and so receive more satisfaction from
them. You may better understand your personal goals and values
and thus grow as a person and become more mature.
I do not take on clients whom, in my professional opinion, I
cannot help using the techniques I have available. I will,
therefore, enter our relationship with optimism and an eagerness
to work with you.
2. Meetings
I usually schedule 60 minutes for the first
introduction/assessment and information‑gathering session; future
meetings are usually in 53-to-60-mintervals. We will schedule our
meetings cooperatively for our mutual convenience. Since I
typically do brief therapy, we will meet more often over the
first three or four months and then less often over several more
months. A typical schedule is as follows: once a week for the
first two months of months; then once every two weeks for the
next two months; then spaced to once a month for three
months.
An appointment is a commitment to our work and a contract
between us ‑ we each agree and promise to be here and on time. On
occasion, I may not be able to start on time. For this I ask your
understanding and assure you that you will receive the full time
agreed to. If you are late, we will probably be unable to meet
for the full time scheduled as it is likely that I have another
appointment scheduled after yours.
Your session time is reserved for you. Reality does not always
allow us to keep our promises, but a canceled appointment is an
interruption in our work which will delay completing it. I am
rarely able to fill a canceled hour unless I have a week's
notice. I will make our meetings a primary priority and ask you
to do the same to keep missed hours to a minimum. If they exceed
once every three appointments or so, I will have to charge you
for the lost time unless I am able to fill it (your insurance
will not cover this charge). I do not have available personnel to
supervise children in the reception area while we are meeting.
Therefore, I request that you do not bring children with you
that need supervision unless you have
someone who can sit with them.
3. Fees
In any professional relationship, payment for services is an
important issue. This is even more true in therapy, where clarity
of relationships and responsibilities is one goal of treatment.
You are responsible for assuring that services are paid for; this
demonstrates your seriousness, sincerity and maturity. My current
regular fee for assessment services is $150 for a 60-minute
session; and therapy services are $125 per 53-minute session. In
addition, I charge $100 for report-writing and $150 per hour for
court appearances
I will assume that our agreed‑upon financial relationship will
continue in effect as long as I provide services or until you
inform me that you wish to end it. I will expect you to pay for
any services rendered to you until the time our relationship is
terminated.
4. Billing, insurance and payments
Unless we have other arrangements, I would greatly prefer that
you pay for each session (or any approved co-pay) by the end of
the meeting. Please do not interpret this as any distrust of you
or lack of faith in your responsibility and maturity. In my
experience, I have found that this arrangement keeps our
attention focused on our goals and makes it most productive. If
paying by check, I suggest that you make out your check (payable
to Daniel Long) before each session begins so that our time will
be used most productively.
6.Contacting me
Out of consideration I usually do not take calls when I am in
session with a client; I will note the call and, as soon as I
can, pick up any messages left. My mailing address is 719 South
Lake Drive Lexington, SC 29072-3432. I cannot always be reached
by phone immediately, but the office number is (803)-386-7318.
Generally, messages are picked up and calls returned within 24
hours except on weekends and holidays. In emergencies, however,
your calls will be returned as quickly as possible. In a dire
emergency, if you cannot reach me, you might call your personal
physician, go the nearest emergency room or call the ER at 9-1-1.
Other possibilities include Mobile Crisis (a division of mental
health that is available 24 hours per day to South Carolina
Residents) at (833)-364-2274 and The Suicide Crisis Line (988)
which is a 24-hour counseling and/or crisis line available
throughout the state.
7. Confidentiality
I regard the information you share with me with the greatest
respect so I want us to be as clear as possible about how it will
be handled. In general, I will tell no one
what you tell me. The confidentiality of our conversations,
including your records, is legally protected by federal and state
law, including HIPAA, and by my profession's ethical principles,
in all but a few rare circumstances. These are outlined
in my handout on Confidentiality and
Psychotherapy which is also being provided
to you.
I also ask each client to abide by the Golden Rule which would
preclude your disclosing the identity (or names) of any other
clients being seen at this office (or whom you encounter here in
the office or in the waiting room).
Also, as outlined in my Confidentiality document,
communication through electronic communication is generally not
secure. By signing this document, you consent to the use of
unsecured email and mobile phone text messaging to transmit
information relating to scheduling appointments, and information
on billing and payment.
8. My way of doing therapy
Each counselor has been taught and has expanded upon a way of
doing therapy, where we have developed rules or methods which
have worked well. I will be happy to explain or clarify these if
you would like more information.
I may also give you photocopies of articles or informational
handouts which are yours to keep. I often take notes and
sometimes ask my clients to take notes, both during the session
and at home. Periodically I will also negotiate homework
assignments with you. These can be a crucial component of
personal change and if you are willing to fully participate with
these tasks, you will maximize your therapy dollars.
9. Your case records
You have the right to review your medical record (see
limitations in HIPAA section of Confidentiality handout) in my
files at any time, to request additions or corrections, and to
obtain copies (with your written permission) for other
professionals to use.
SC law also requires that I keep your case records in a secure
place for at least 10 years after we last meet or have any
contact. (For minors, the law states such records be maintained
for at least 5 years and in the case where a minor is 13 yrs of
age or less, up to 5 years after the age of majority, or 18 years
old).
10. Termination
Termination is inevitable. It should not be done casually, as
it can be made a most valuable part of our work. If you would
like to take a "vacation" from therapy, we should discuss this so
as to make it most productive.
11. Evaluation of treatment
If at any time, you feel dissatisfaction with any aspect of
therapy, please discuss your views, reasons, concerns or plans or
whatever is troubling you with me as soon as possible so we can
resolve the problem.
12. Contact person
If, during our work together there is an emergency or I become
concerned about your personal safety or the possibility of your
injuring someone else, I am morally and legally obliged to
contact the person you identified upon completion of your intake
information.
13. My background
Because we all need to know we are in good hands, I indicate
my credentials below. If you wish more information on my
background or training, please feel free to ask. I am a Licensed
Professional Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor
Supervisor Candidate, and have a master's degree in Clinical
Counseling from South University. I have worked in agency
settings (Mental Health) and have been in private practice since
2022. Prior to working with the department of mental health I
worked in helping the homeless downtown Columbia SC. I have
training and experience in individual therapy and specialize in
working with persons who self-injure, and struggle with emotional
dysregulation. I am a clinical member of the SC Clinical Mental
Health Counselors Assn. specialized training in Dialectical
Behavioral therapy.
14. Complaint procedures
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of my work, please
raise your concerns with me immediately. Dissatisfactions will
make our working together slower and more difficult if not
resolved. If you feel that you have been treated unfairly or even
unethically, by me or any other counselor, and cannot resolve
this problem with me, you can contact the S.C. Board of Examiners
(mailing address: PO Box 11329, Columbia, SC 29211; phone number
(803) 896-4658) and speak to the Chairperson of the Ethics
Committee for clarification or to lodge a complaint. There may be
other options which I would be glad to expound upon if you so
desire.
15. Additional points
Private Practitioner: By the way, I sometimes allow another
counselor to share my office space, however each of us operates
independently and is solely responsible for the quality of the
care he or she provides.
Expert Testimony: It is possible that, if you are married or
have children, you may become involved in a divorce or custody
dispute. If this occurs, I want you to understand that I do not
provide expert testimony in court in these types of cases, and if
custody is in dispute, you should engage a court‑appointed child
custody evaluator. This decision is based on two reasons: (1) my
evaluations will be seen as biased in favor of my client because
we have a therapeutic alliance, and (2) because the testimony
might negatively affect our therapeutic relationship. In
addition, child custody evaluations are quite extensive and
involve visits to both caregivers' homes, observing each of them
with their children, etc.
16. Code of Ethics:
Like any health care professional, I have an ethical
responsibility and am also available to answer professional
questions which you have the right to raise. I fully abide by the
Ethical Principles of the American Mental Health Counselor
Association and the S.C. Board of Examiners for Licensed
Professional Counselors.
Out-of-Office Contact: As a result of our special,
professional relationship, one frustration of being a counselor
is that I cannot now, nor will I ever be your "friend." I will
not see you socially or enter into any business or other
relationship besides the therapeutic one, no matter how rational
or beneficial it may seem at the time. For this reason, my
licensure board mandates that we do not request or accept friend
requests on social media sites like Facebook. If we meet on the
street or socially, I will minimize our conversation so as not to
run any risk of breaching confidentiality in an open environment.
I will never introduce you to someone I may be with as "a
client". You are welcome to approach me if you wish to, but
please know I will not initiate any contact in respect for your
privacy. Also, I will never betray your trust, nor could we ever
enter into or pursue a sexual relationship, as that would be
highly unethical.
Recovering Memory Work: People often approach me to help them
recover memories of past traumas. I do not employ hypnosis as
part of the techniques I use. I will be happy to work with you to
sort out troublesome memories, intrusive thoughts, dreams, etc.,
however memory work often does not have concrete resolution.
Regardless of whether we can prove that a memory or dream is
based on fact, we can work with the feelings associated with
same.
Limitations: I am not licensed or trained to practice law,
medicine, social work or another profession and am not willing
nor capable of giving you trustworthy advice from other
professional points of view.
Non-Discrimination: In my professional practices, as
counselor, I do not discriminate in accepting and treating
patients, clients, students or others on any of these bases: age,
gender, marital status, race, color, religious beliefs or creed,
belief, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, ethnicity, location
of residence, physical or mental disability or handicap, veteran
status, sexual orientation, health status, having a criminal
record unrelated to present dangerousness, or in violation of
federal, state or local laws or executive orders. This is both a
personal commitment and is made in accordance with federal, state
and local laws and regulations. If you believe you have been
discriminated against, please bring this matter to my attention
immediately.
17. Agreement
I have read (or had read to me) the issues and points stated
above, discussed them where I was not clear about those points,
had my questions fully answered, and understood and agree to
comply with them, I hereby agree to enter into psychotherapy with
this counselor as indicated by my signature below.