Declaration of Practices and Procedures

Sarah Steed, M.A., PLPC Northshore Family Counseling 1301 Brownswitch Rd., Suite B Slidell, La. 70461 985.661.0560

Qualifications: I have earned a Master of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I am a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC), #PLC6915 and I hold a provisional license with the Louisiana LPC board of Examiners, 11410 Lake Sherwood Ave North Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, 255-765-2515, which has approved my supervision as I work towards my LPC licensure in the State of Louisiana. My supervisor is Jeffery Nave, Ph.D, LPC-S, 3939 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, La. 70126. Dr. Nave is a Licensed Professional Counselor and my LPC Board approved supervisor. Areas of Focus: I focus on adult and adolescent and children clients with family and marriage issues.

Counseling Relationship and Expectation of the Client

I see counseling as a process in which the client and I, the PLPC, come to understand and trust one another, work as a team to explore and define present problem situations, develop future goals for an improved life, and work in a systematic fashion toward realizing those goals.

Clients must make their own decisions regarding things such as deciding to marry, separate, divorce, reconcile and how to set up custody and visitation. The counselor can assist the client in thinking through the possibilities and consequences of decisions, but the Code of Ethics for all mental health providers does not allow counselors to make any specific decisions for a client.

Fees and Office Procedures:

The Out of Pocket Fee for services is $75.00 per session and paid directly to Northshore Family Counseling, This Does Not Apply to insurance or sliding scale clients. Payment for services is due at the close of each session. Payment is not accepted from insurance companies. As a PLPC, I may not accept payment for services directly. Fees may be paid in cash, check, or credit card. There will be a $40.00 fee assessed for any check returned by the client’s financial institution. The client is responsible for and agrees to pay all charges and fees assessed for the processing of returned checks. Appointments are typically set at the close of each session. I have morning, afternoon, and some evening appointment available Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays. Less than 24-hour notice will result in a charge equal to 50% of the counselor’s cash fee rate (OOP). My cash fee is $75, so my fee would be $37.50. “No shows” will be charged 100% of the counselor’s cash (OOP) fee rate. All late cancellations and no show fees will be automatically charged to the credit card linked to the client’s account.

Types of Services I approach counseling from a cognitive- behavioral perspective in that patterns of thoughts and actions are explored in order to better understand the client's’ problems and to develop solutions. I work with clients in a variety of formats, including individually, as couples and as families. I also conduct group therapy. I see clients of all ages and backgrounds with the exception that I do not work individually with children under seven years of age.

Professional Code of Conduct:

All mental health professionals are required by state law to adhere to the code of conduct adopted by the Louisiana Professional Counselor Board of Examiners. Copies of these codes are available in the office and clients are free to examine them at any time.

Confidentiality

Following are the limits to confidentiality:

1. If you threaten grave bodily harm or death to yourself or another person, we are required to break confidence and get you help, and also inform any intended victim and appropriate law enforcement agencies. 2. If you report to us your knowledge of past or continuing physical or sexual abuse of a minor child by an adult, the counselor is required to inform the appropriate child welfare or law enforcement agency. The elderly and dependent adults are covered under this type of disclosure as well.

3. In Louisiana, couples are given confidentiality as individuals. If one individual in the couple reveals a secret to the counselor, the counselor cannot communicate this secret without permission from the individual who revealed the secret. However, to maintain effective treatment, the counselor will work with the individual to come to a position of safety to share the information with their spouse or terminate couples therapy because it is impossible to build a foundation of trust if secrets are kept. 4. Counseling records may be released if subpoenaed by a court of law. Because we are professional counselors, we have to abide by certain ethical codes regarding dual relationships. Please talk to your counselor about special considerations if you attend church together. Our policy is that our counselors are not allowed to be “friends” with their clients on Facebook or any other form of social media.

Emergency Situations: When the receptionist is unavailable to answer calls after normal office hours, you may leave a message on the answering machine and I will return your call as soon as possible. If an emergency situation should arise after normal office hours, you may seek help through Slidell Memorial Hospital Emergency Room 985-280-2200 or by calling 911.

Client Responsibilities: You, the client are a full partner in counseling. Your honesty and effort are essential to success. As we work together, if you have suggestions or concerns about your counseling, I expect you to share these with me so that we can make the necessary adjustments. If I determine that you would be better served by another mental health provider, I will help you with the referral process. If you are currently receiving services from another mental health professional, I expect you to inform me of this and grant me permission to share information with this professional so that we may coordinate our services for you.

You have the right to considerate, safe, and respectful care, without discrimination as to race, ethnicity, gender, age, or religion. You have the right to ask questions about any aspects of your counseling sessions. I am always willing to discuss how and why I have decided to do what I am doing, and to consider alternatives that might work better. You have the right to ask me about my training for working with your concerns and can request that I refer you to another counselor if you decide I am not the right counselor for you. You are free to end counseling at any time.

Potential Counseling Risks: The client should be aware that counseling poses potential risks as well as benefits. In the course of working together, additional problems may surface of which you were not initially aware. Potential risks may include experiencing painful emotions, including guilt, sadness, frustration, loneliness, anger, and helplessness. If this occurs, I encourage you to share these concerns with me.

Although the counseling process poses inherent risks, counseling has been shown to have benefits for individuals who go through the process. The counseling process often leads to a greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress, and resolutions to specific problems. There are no guarantees of what you will experience.

Digital Communication and Technology Agreement: While the LPC Board rescinds telemental health requirements, I may utilize telemental health services in my practice. However, I have not taken the telemental health certification requirements dictated by the LPC Board. At the beginning of each session, we will assess for safety, security, and comfort in your environment, as well as verify identification. Online sessions will be conducted through Doxy.me or Google Hangouts/Meet. These platforms are HIPAA compliant and I have signed the required Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Doxy.me and G Suite. In the event of any mechanical failure, I will call the client to provide an alternative means of connections listed above or reschedule for a different time when all communication modes are working again.

I have read the Declaration of Practices and Procedures of Sarah Steed, M.A., PLPC and my signature below indicates my full informed consent to services provided by Sarah Steed, M.A., PLPC.

______Client Signature Date

______Client Signature Date

______Sarah Steed, M.A., PLPC Date

Parent/ Guardian Signature for treatment of a minor:

I, ______, give my permission for Sarah Steed, M.A., PLPC to conduct therapy with my ______, ______.

(Relationship) (Name of Minor)

______

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date