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Let's face it:  making the decision to consider working with a counselor or consultant was probably difficult.  I respect that, and throughout our work together, I will make every reasonable effort to professionally facilitate the resolution of your counseling/coaching needs and concerns.  I hope you'll find that I'm fairly easy to talk with, and an excellent listener.  I will be "more directive" or "less directive" in our process together based on my on-going assessment of your progress, along with your report of your strengths, needs and personality preferences.  Ultimately, you must decide to use what you gain from the counseling or consulting or coaching process.  I invite you to play an active role in the process by evaluating the dynamics of our therapeutic relationship as often as necessary.

               Anita with Lucy & Sandy                  

 Your Rights and Responsibilities:

     You have the right to ask me to explain my reasons for making certain recommendations or for using certain procedures.  You also have the right to refuse to follow these recommendations, and/or to terminate the counseling process at any time and for any reason.  I have the right and ethical responsibility to terminate counseling and offer a referral to another counselor if you choose not to follow my recommendations.  Either of us may request a final session to discuss the reasons for termination, and to decide on an appropriate referral if desired.  Please inform me of your intentions to see another counselor or mental health professional during the course of our work together, so that we may provide consistent treatment for you.

     You have the right to confidentiality in the counseling relationship as described in the next section (My responsibilities as your counselor/ consultant).

     Our work can only be effective with commitment and continuity.  If you must cancel a scheduled appointment, please inform me no sooner than 24 hours before the appointment.  You will be responsible for payment for any missed appointments, except in the case of personal emergency.  Additionally, it is important to be on time for your scheduled sessions, as other clients may have appointments with me immediately following yours.  Note that if you are late, the session will still end on time, and you will still be responsible for full payment. 

 My Responsibilities as Your Counselor/Consultant:

     I adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice approved by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, American Counseling Association, the National Board for Certified Counselors, and the American Mental Health Counselor Association.  These ethics and standards are intended to protect the welfare of both my clients and the community I serve.  A primary provision of these is my responsibility to protect your right to privacy:

     I must keep all details of our counseling relationship, including anything you tell me, in strict confidence, unless I have your expressed permission to inform or consult with someone else.  I may consult with colleagues for supervision with the understanding that I will not disclose your name or other identifiable personal information.  This code of confidentiality has 2 exceptions:

1.     I must disclose information to a third party if I learn of any potential abuse or neglect of a child, or if I learn that you pose a threat of danger to yourself or any other person.

2.     If I receive information confirming you have a disease known to be communicable and fatal, I must disclose this to a third party who by her/his relationship with you is at high risk of contracting the disease.  Before making the disclosure, I must first determine that you have not already informed the third party, and that you have no intention to do so.

     I will not disclose any information without first consulting other professionals regarding the validity of these exceptions.

      * *For conjoint couples therapy with my associate Gary Williams, you agree that Gary and I are free to discuss amongst ourselves our individual sessions with each member of the relationship.  Your permission must still be granted before either of us can reveal to you anything about the session contents with your partner.