Step 1:

Give me a call and we will arrange for a mutually convenient time for your initial consultation session.  The first session is 60 minutes long and will consist mainly of me listening to your concerns, evaluating what I believe is happening at this point in your life, and discussing a plan to assist you with improving your life circumstances.

If you are unsure whether therapy is right for you, or you would like to speak to me prior to making an appointment to find out if I am a “right fit” for you, then call me. I will gladly speak with you on the phone to help you explore whether or not therapy seems like something that might be good for you at this time. If after talking with me, you decide that I am not the right therapist for you or your needs, then I am happy to provide you with a referral to one of the many excellent clinicians in this area who may be able to help.

Step 2:  

Please pardon the paperwork for our first session, but is is a necessary requirement by law. 

I request that you read, complete and sign the forms as appropriate in the New Client Packet and bring them to our first meeting.  Filling them out ahead of time will insure that the time we spend will get to the heart of your needs more directly.  I will be happy to discuss any questions you have about the forms at our first session.

The forms needing your attention are listed individually as follows:

The Psychological Services Agreement & Policies is required by law when we begin our professional relationship.

The Client Information & History form provides me with basic information about you and will assist me in attending to your needs. I need each person who will be participating in treatment to fill out this form.

If you wish to use insurance to pay for my services, I’ll need the Health Insurance Information & Consent form. Please fill out as much information as possible, sign it, and fax it to me at 954-208-3400 prior to your first session so that I may verify your benefits.

The Payment Contract for Services may be filled-out together at the time of service as we will indicate the rate of each session (if you intend to pay out-of-pocket for services) or your portion of out-of-pocket payment in the event that you are using insurance.

The Florida Notice Form: Notice of Mental Health Practitioner’s Policies & Privacy Practices to Protect the Privacy of Your Health Information (“HIPAA Leaflet”) is standard for any health care provider and is required by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.  This leaflet is yours to keep for future reference of your privacy rights. 

I will also need you to sign an acknowledgement form that will indicate that you have received this information.  This signed form will remain in your record (“HIPAA Leaflet Acknowledgement”).

The Release of Information Authorization form is only necessary should you wish for me to communicate with others about your treatment or other aspects of your protected health information.

Thank you and welcome.