Policies

Confidentiality
The information you share in my office is confidential. Your records are released only with a "Release of Information Form" requesting the release of specific information and signed by you. In some instances, I may want to call you to discuss what I will be releasing before your records are released. If your case requires consultation with other professionals, your identity will be protected.

There are exceptions to confidentiality when your permission to disclose information is not required. They are as follows:

1. If there is a reason to suspect abuse of a child or a vulnerable adult, the suspected abuse is reported to the Department of Social Services.
2. When there is a clear intention on your part to do harm to yourself or another person, your emergency contact person or the appropriate authorities will be given information to prevent harm from occurring.
3. An order from a court of law.
4. If you were neglected or abused by medical or mental health professional, information will be provided to the appropriate state board.
5. If you are a Minor or parent of a Minor, parents have legal access to their child's file. However, trust is an extremely important element in the therapeutic relationships. In order to establish this, I encourage parents to ask their child about the content of their sessions. Your child may choose to tell you or to keep this confidential. If there is a situation as indicated in the above items, I am legally required to inform you.

Information is requested by your insurance company in order to assure them that your visits are a medically necessity. Most commonly, they request diagnoses and, at times, symptoms and treatment plans to determine if your symptoms and treatment meet their criteria for payment. Sometimes your insurer may request case notes to determent your continued stay in psychotherapy. When you want your insurance to cover a portion of the cost of your psychotherapy, a general release to your insurance company is signed at the beginning of your treatment.

For your review, "Client Rights and Responsibilities" and the "Grievance Procedure" are posted on the wall in the waiting room.

Referrals
Problems with the effectiveness of therapy are influenced by a number of circumstances. One reason may be poor rapport with a therapist. If you do not feel comfortable with me as your therapist, please talk about it openly with me. We will either work it out or find someone more agreeable for you. This may result in a referral to another therapist, agency or doctor.

Closure
At the end of therapy, closure is an important process. It is an opportunity to express your thoughts and feelings about the experience and reflect on its impact in your life. Once the decision to work together is made, my request is that you not discontinue sessions without discussing the reasons with me. This procedure will bring about a healthy closure to our relationship.

Masa Consulting, Inc. | 5100 Eden Ave Suite 319, Minneapolis, MN 55436
952-922-0422 | 952-922-0421 fax | info@masaconsulting.com