It is important that a regular appointment schedule be kept. As a part of your initial consultation, you and Dr. Eades will decide upon an appointment schedule. Usually this schedule calls for one appointment each week, but sometimes other arrangements are made. You will need to agree to a schedule which you can regularly keep.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, you must notify Dr. Eades 24 hours in advance. Dr. Eades plans his schedule around appointments. It is very important that he receive advance notice concerning cancellations.

If you do not give 24 hours advance notice for a cancellation, then you will be charged for that hour, except in cases involving emergencies and/or accidents. Sometimes last minute events occur which make it virtually impossible for a person to make an appointment. Such events will be taken into consideration. Generally, however, payment for missed appointments will be expected. If insurance pays a portion of your fee, you will be expected to pay what your fee would be without the insurance.

All counseling information is confidential and will not be released without your informed, written consent, except where ethical and legal limits to confidentiality require.

Ethical and legal limits to confidentiality include indications of clear and imminent danger to self or others. Confidentiality will be broken in circumstances where you are threatening harm to yourself or to others. At these times Dr. Eades will call whomever he considers necessary to protect you or a person you may be threatening. These calls could be to family, friends, your minister, other mental health professionals, and/or law enforcement. Also, Dr. Eades is required by law to report any cases of child abuse/neglect or elder abuse/neglect to law enforcement agencies.

Professional and supervisory relationships may involve confidential consultation with another counselor regarding counseling issues in order to provide the best possible service. Your counselor works with a variety of mental health professionals in order to ensure quality care. Your confidentiality is protected in these consultations. Furthermore, consultation with other mental health professionals does not require a written release of information.

Sessions may be tape-recorded or video-recorded. Occasional taping helps Dr. Eades provide the best possible counseling care. He will never record a session without first asking your permission. The tape recorder will never be on without your knowledge. You always have the right to meet without recording.

Confidentiality extends to minors receiving therapy without their parents present. Therapists will respect the privacy of minors while in therapy. Though therapists will always encourage minors to share important information with parents/legal guardians, the therapist will not share information except where issues are relevant to C/2. above.

Your insurance may pay for a portion of the fee. Information regarding insurance is provided with these forms. It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company and clarify coverage and deductibles related to mental health care.

Once it is determined that your insurance will cover services, then Dr. Eades will file on your behalf and you will be required to pay only your portion of the fee. Please keep in mind that you may owe a deductible at the beginning of each year. You will be required to pay your established fee until the deductible is met.

Informed Consent: I am aware that counseling is based on my presence here and talking honestly with Dr. Eades. I realize I may encounter troubling emotions in the course of my counseling. I understand that there can be no guarantees concerning the outcome of treatment or the achievement of specific goals. However, I can expect to be heard and accepted as a human being of value and worth. I give my consent to Dr. Eades to provide appropriate treatment (for myself or to the minor for whom I am parent/guardian)in an ethical and professional manner.