Shannon Sprung, MA, LMHC Licensed Mental Health Counselor Washington License #LH60595294 Informed Consent and Disclosure Services My goal is to create an environment in which you can feel comfortable enough to investigate behavior, thoughts, and emotions that may be creating undesirable patterns in your life. My approach to psychotherapy is based on the belief that each person has the innate ability for healing and personal growth. My role is to assist each client in their unique and individual process of discovering those abilities. The duration of our work together is dependent on a number of factors including your level of commitment, goals, time frame, and rate of progress. It should be noted that psychotherapy resulting in lasting change is often a long-term process and can lead to difficult feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, or fear, among others. Please discuss any issues, concerns, or questions you may have in regards to treatment. Therapeutic Orientation There are many different approaches to the therapeutic process and my style is an eclectic one. I draw from a variety of theories, including (but not limited to): psychoanalysis, emotion focused therapy, contemplative psychotherapy, mindfulness techniques, feminist therapy, relational psychotherapy, and internal family systems. I will work with you to provide you with the most appropriate interventions for your particular issues and goals. Please discuss any concerns or questions you have regarding theoretical orientation or your treatment with me at any time during the therapy process. Sessions typically last 50 minutes. They are expected to begin promptly and end at the scheduled time. Please be aware that if you arrive late for your session, we will still end at our regularly scheduled time. I commit to being on time and will offer appropriate remedy if late. Education and Training I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington, license #LH60595294. I graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling in 2009. During my graduate school career, I completed two semesters of direct client counseling at a non-profit organization in Austin, Texas. Post graduation, I opened my private practice. During the first two years of running my private practice, I provided probono counseling at a low-income/low-cost counseling center as well as at a non-profit LGBT youth center. I also provided counseling through Child Protective Services (CPS). I have a wide array of therapy related knowledge and abilities, but specialize in transgenderism, gender variance and sexual orientation. In addition, my therapeutic focus encompasses topics that include polyamory, sexual trauma and abuse, feminine empowerment, anxiety and depression. Your Rights as a Client You have the right to choose a counselor that best fits your needs and you have the right to terminate services any time you choose. If you feel we are not a good fit, please understand that you may bring this to my attention so that we can openly discuss your concerns (although this is not a requirement). If we find termination of services to be the best option, I will offer referrals. You will be responsible for any outstanding balances at that time. You have the right for further explanation of these policies at any time. You have the right to know the content of your records at any time,. Please note your request must be in writing. 650 South Orcas Street, Suite 218 ▪ Seattle, WA 98108 ▪ (512) 554-2402 Shannon Sprung, MA, LMHC Licensed Mental Health Counselor Washington License #LH60595294 You have the right to ask questions about any of the procedures used in the course of your therapy. If asked, I will explain my customary approach and methods to you. If you have concerns about the treatment you are receiving or my behavior, please feel free to discuss this directly with me. If you feel I have been unethical in my treatment or behavior, you have the right to contact the Department of Health: Health Services Quality Assurance Division, PO Box 47857, Olympia, WA, 98054; 360-236- 4700 or via email: HSQAComplaintintake@doh.wa.gov. Confidentiality Your records and payment information will be kept confidential and be stored in a HIPAA compliant file box. Information revealed by you during the course of therapy will be kept completely confidential and will not be revealed to any person without a signed release from either the client or the parent/legal guardian of a client less than 13 years of age. However, counselors are mandated reporters and there are times when I may be required or allowed to disclose confidentiality Information. Information related to the following situations may be released without your consent: Disclosure of abuse or neglect of a child or dependent elder (physical, emotional, sexual) If I reasonably believe that my disclosure will avoid or minimize an imminent threat to you or to a third party Involuntary mental health commitment due to need for assessment A court or other documented state agency has ordered me to do so If you bring a complaint against me Payment Fee for service is $125/50-minute session. Additional time is billed to the quarter hour. With regard to payment for services: Payment is due at the time of service delivery in the form of cash, check, or credit card. You agree to pay a $25.00 service charge for each returned check. If you and I have arranged payment based on a sliding scale, you agree to notify me of changes in your income or household size. I do not accept insurance as payment. However, if you would like to file with your insurance company for reimbursement, I am happy to provide you with an itemized receipt. Missed Appointments and Cancellations Since services are by appointment only, this time is reserved exclusively for you. If you will be charged the full session fee _____________ (initial). Communications You may call 512.554.2402 for any questions regarding billing or appointments. Therapeutic calls during business hours (Monday–Thursday 8am–7pm, excluding holidays) lasting more than 10 minutes are billed prorated at my regular fee. Skype, VSee, and/or FaceTime sessions are billed at the regular hourly rate. You may also contact me via e-mail at shannonsprung@gmail.com. Forms of technological communication (cell phone, e–mail, Skype, and other forms of internet communications), are not secure/confidential forms of communication and do not guarantee confidentiality. By signing this form you are allowing me to use these forms of communication. 650 South Orcas Street, Suite 218 ▪ Seattle, WA 98108 ▪ (512) 554-2402 Shannon Sprung, MA, LMHC Licensed Mental Health Counselor Washington License #LH60595294 You agree not to hold Shannon Sprung, MA, LMHC, legally responsible for the transmission of this data. Therapeutic Relationship/Public Encounters: The relationship between therapist and client is the vehicle through which client change can take place. As such, it is often one in which close emotional bonds develop. It is also a professional relationship in which appropriate boundaries must be maintained. For the most part, the therapeutic relationship begins and ends at the therapy office. Although this is sometimes difficult to understand, it is a necessary requirement for maintenance of the therapeutic environment. If we happen to see each other in public, your confidentiality will be protected, and I will follow your lead. If the situation feels uncomfortable and you choose not to greet me, I will act in kind. If you choose to greet me, I will respond. If others ask about our affiliation, that will be your question to answer. Please also note that I do not accept friend requests on social media sites from current or former clients. Doing so may compromise your confidentiality and privacy. Confidentiality with Regard to Minors: The parents or legal guardians of my clients under the age of 13 have the right to access their child’s psychological records. I will discuss with you the limitations, procedures, and implications with regard to your child’s records and progress. When I consult with parents regarding children and adolescent clients under age of 13, specific content of the therapy sessions should ideally be held in confidence in order to create the safest possible space for the necessary therapeutic work to be accomplished. Please be aware that should any of the issues rise to the level of serious, imminent danger to self or to others, I will notify parents and/or appropriate authorities. Professional Consultation In order to maintain the quality of your care, I consult with seasoned colleagues regarding treatment of clients. Please understand your circumstances will be generalized, and all identifying information will be concealed in order to maintain complete confidentiality. Vacation When I go on vacation, I will provide you with advanced notice so that you can plan for the continuity of your therapy. If you would like the contact information for an alternate therapist to schedule an appointment in my absence, please let me know. If a crisis arises during this time, you may call the alternate therapist, the Seattle Crisis Clinic’s 24-hour hotline at (866) 427-4747, or 911. Court Requested Support In order to avoid dual relationships and conflicts of interest, I will provide you or your child with clinical services only. I do not intend to become involved in legal disputes such as personal injury lawsuits, divorce proceedings, dependency hearings or custody battles. These proceedings erode the client-therapist relationship and compromise you or your child’s ability to be honest during treatment. In addition, I do not participate in evaluation for adoption home studies or evaluations of parental fitness to adoption or State agencies. By signing this document you agree: That my role is limited to providing treatment and that you will not involve me in legal disputes; 650 South Orcas Street, Suite 218 ▪ Seattle, WA 98108 ▪ (512) 554-2402 Shannon Sprung, MA, LMHC Licensed Mental Health Counselor Washington License #LH60595294 That you will instruct your attorneys not to subpoena me or refer in any court filings to anything I have said or done; That you will not ask for my participation or recommendations in any adoption or dependency; If there is a court-ordered evaluator in your child’s custody/dependency dispute, and if appropriate releases are signed and a court order is provided, I will provide general information about you/the child which will not include any recommendations to custody/visitation; If for any reason I am required to provide expert testimony or documentation for a legal dispute, the party responsible for my participation agrees to reimburse me at $250 per hour, regardless of sliding scale session rate, to cover time, travel, reports, and other case-related costs. In Case of Emergency If you are in crisis, please call the Seattle Crisis Clinic’s 24-hour hotline at (866) 427-2727 or 911. Please be aware that I am not a crisis facility and will not be held responsible for any damages occurring as a result of unmet crisis or acute care needs. I may not be available to respond to emergency situations. transMISSION wellness Please note that I am operating as an individual entity (Shannon Sprung, MA, LMHC). I am doing business under the shared name, transMISSION wellness, as a way to market and convey a shared mission statement that commits to providing services with respectful and nonjudgmental views towards, maintain a safe space for, and continue to self-educate regarding all genders, all sexualities, and all relationship styles. I have read and agree to the policies above. __________________________________________________ Client (or Legal Guardian) Printed Name _____________________ Date __________________________________________________ Client (or Legal Guardian) Signature _____________________ Date __________________________________________________ Shannon Sprung, MA, LMHC _____________________ Date 650 South Orcas Street, Suite 218 ▪ Seattle, WA 98108 ▪ (512) 554-2402