First Steps
Pre-Treatment Information Session
Prospective clients are invited to schedule a a brief pre-treatment informational session. This no-cost meeting helps determine if there is a good fit for working together and typically lasts about 30 minutes. Prospective clients are invited to discuss reasons for seeking therapy and desired outcomes and to ask questions about the therapist's experience and approaches. If there is a good fit, therapy sessions will begin after all client intake documents are signed. State and federal laws require that each client must be informed of all rights and responsibilities and sign electronically or in person that they understand them before therapy can begin.
Client Intake Documents
- Information and consent documents serve to:
- Define rights and responsibilities in the therapeutic relationship
- Gather important information to develop goals and effective treatment plans
- Allow exchange of important information that supports therapy
Documents each client is required to review and sign or complete before starting therapy:Good Faith Estimate - The total expected cost of psychotherapy services (this document is provided only to clients who do not have or do not use insurance)
Notice of Privacy Practices & Acknowledgement of Receipt - How private health information may be used and disclosed, and rights to obtain this informationInformed Consent for Therapy Services - Potential risks and rewards of therapy and expectations and responsiblities of the therapist and the client Informed Consent for Telehealth Services - Rights and responsibilities when using telephone or video conferencing technology, with attention to emergency protocols because of distance and reliance on computers and the Internet
Business Practices - How Sun Ridge conducts businessPersonal Information Questionnaire - Brief life history, reasons for seeking therapy, and current environment (health, education, work, and important relationships)
Other documents each client may be required to sign or complete:Consent to Release Information - Used to request information from other people or organizationsEMDR Acknowledgement & Consent - Explains potential outcomes and risks of using Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) techniquesPermission to Audio/Video Record Therapy Sessions - Used when a client or therapist desires to record conversations or presentations for training or educational purposes
Self-Report Questionnaires - Used to understand symptoms that may be causing a client to seek help