“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: IT GOES ON.” - Robert Frost
Privacy Practices & Policy
The law protects the confidential relationship between a client and a psychotherapist.
In accordance with the law, client information will not be disclosed without written permission.
In accordance with the law, client information will not be disclosed without written permission.
Exceptions include:
- Suspected child, dependent adult, or elder abuse, for which is required by law to be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person(s), law enforcement and inform the intended victim must be notified.
- If a client intends to harm himself / herself, we will make every effort to enlist cooperation to ensuring safety. However, if cooperation is not attained, further measures will be taken in order to ensure safety.
Testimony Policy & Court Fees
Clients are strongly discouraged from having their therapist subpoenaed or having them provide records for the purpose of litigation. Even though you are responsible for the testimony fee, it does not mean that the therapist’s testimony will be solely in your favor. Therapist can only testify to the facts of the case and, if qualified to do so by the court, in their professional opinion. Asking a therapist to provide confidential records or testify can damage the trust built in a counseling relationship with a client especially if the therapist is still seeing that client in therapy. If one of our therapist is subpoenaed to testify or provide records in a case, the therapeutic relationship is effectively ended and it is very likely we will not continue to provide services to that child/individual/family.
At Brevard Counseling, we strongly discourage cases involving court involvement as our relationship is providing therapeutic services to our clients. If client records are requested for legal purposes a request for records is to mailed to Brevard Counseling with an approved HIPAA release of information form. Due to our counselors all being Independent Contractors, the request must be made to the counselor (not Brevard Counseling). Our office will then notify the requester of the name of the therapist. An attorney or office staff will need to call the office and set up a time for the subpoena (issued by a judge) to be served during office hours to the therapist who delivered services to the client. The subpoena must be a request for the Independent Counselor (not Brevard Counseling). The therapist will request a minimum of 72 business hours notice of any Court appearance so that schedule changes for their clients can be made within a reasonable time frame. Please note: If a subpoena or notice to meet attorney(s) is received without a minimum of 72 business hours notice, there will be an additional $250 express charge.
When it comes to court action, the following fees are in effect:
1. Preparation Time (including submission of records): $220/hour (billable in 15 minute increments)
2. Phone calls: $220/hour (billable in 15 minute increments)
3. Depositions: $250/hour
4. Time required in Giving Testimony: $250/hour
5. Mileage: .56/mile
6. Time Away from office due to Depositions or Testimony: $220/hour
7. All attorney fees and costs that are incurred by the therapist as a result of the legal action.
8. Filing document with the court: $100
9. The minimum charge for a court appearance: $1500
A retainer of $1500 is due at least 72 business hours before the scheduled court appearance. The remainder of the costs will be billed after the court appearance and will be due upon receipt. If the therapist is subpoenaed and the case is reset with less than 72 business hours notice prior to the beginning of the day of the scheduled subpoena, trial, and/or testimony is not given, then the client will be charged $500 (in addition to the original retainer of $1500 for having to appear in court). All fees listed above are doubled if the therapist has prior been scheduled to be out of town at the time of the court appearance.
At Brevard Counseling, we strongly discourage cases involving court involvement as our relationship is providing therapeutic services to our clients. If client records are requested for legal purposes a request for records is to mailed to Brevard Counseling with an approved HIPAA release of information form. Due to our counselors all being Independent Contractors, the request must be made to the counselor (not Brevard Counseling). Our office will then notify the requester of the name of the therapist. An attorney or office staff will need to call the office and set up a time for the subpoena (issued by a judge) to be served during office hours to the therapist who delivered services to the client. The subpoena must be a request for the Independent Counselor (not Brevard Counseling). The therapist will request a minimum of 72 business hours notice of any Court appearance so that schedule changes for their clients can be made within a reasonable time frame. Please note: If a subpoena or notice to meet attorney(s) is received without a minimum of 72 business hours notice, there will be an additional $250 express charge.
When it comes to court action, the following fees are in effect:
1. Preparation Time (including submission of records): $220/hour (billable in 15 minute increments)
2. Phone calls: $220/hour (billable in 15 minute increments)
3. Depositions: $250/hour
4. Time required in Giving Testimony: $250/hour
5. Mileage: .56/mile
6. Time Away from office due to Depositions or Testimony: $220/hour
7. All attorney fees and costs that are incurred by the therapist as a result of the legal action.
8. Filing document with the court: $100
9. The minimum charge for a court appearance: $1500
A retainer of $1500 is due at least 72 business hours before the scheduled court appearance. The remainder of the costs will be billed after the court appearance and will be due upon receipt. If the therapist is subpoenaed and the case is reset with less than 72 business hours notice prior to the beginning of the day of the scheduled subpoena, trial, and/or testimony is not given, then the client will be charged $500 (in addition to the original retainer of $1500 for having to appear in court). All fees listed above are doubled if the therapist has prior been scheduled to be out of town at the time of the court appearance.