Terms and Conditions of Service
Services Offered
Psychotherapy by Luke Barrett, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. Messaging for additional support outside of therapy sessions is also available (see Communication Expectations, Messaging, and Email below for additional information).
The Therapy Process and What to Expect
Therapy methods include: Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology and Active Listening.
Important Note: A 15 minute Introduction Meeting is only intended to answer client questions about therapy in general, it is not the beginning of therapy.
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Initial Therapy Session: Building rapport, biopsychosocial assessment, exploring the presenting problem(s), establishing goals, creating a plan of action (homework), treatment planning including a schedule for future sessions.
Follow Up Therapy Sessions: Review homework since last session and the effects on the problem(s), explore recent experiences and symptoms related to the problem(s), review and revise goals as needed, update the homework plan, review treatment plan including the schedule for future sessions. The duration and frequency of therapy depends on the type of problem and individual context.
Final Therapy Session (AKA Termination): Review progress made in therapy, review strategies to maintain progress made in therapy, discuss indications to return to therapy in the future, referrals if appropriate.
Risks and Benefits
There may be both risks and benefits associated with participation in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy may improve your mood, help you make progress towards goals, improve relationships, and improve stress management. Although psychotherapy can be beneficial to many people, it may not be helpful for everyone, and it may produce some emotional discomfort due to the nature of the topics discussed. Therefore, it is essential to the therapy process that you discuss any questions, discomfort, or concerns you might have with your therapist.
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Minors and Couples
Luke Barrett Therapy does not offer services for anyone under the age of 18 or for couples.
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Session Fees and Payment
The standard fee for a 60 minute therapy session is $100, the standard fee for a 30 minute therapy session is $50. Payment is only electronic and credit cards are accepted. Discounts, or a sliding scale fee based on client income, may be agreed to by the client and Luke Barrett Therapy in advance. The entire session(s) fee should be paid at the time of scheduling the session(s).
Luke Barrett Therapy does not accept health insurance, and does not bill health insurance. Superbills for insurance reimbursement will not be provided by Luke Barrett Therapy. Receipts will be provided electronically for all session payments. If the client is using a Health Savings Account (HSA), or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), it is the client’s responsibility to request reimbursement from their HSA or FSA account administrator.
Session Scheduling, Rescheduling, Cancellation, Late Attendance, and No Show Policy
Sessions can be purchased and scheduled by contacting Luke Barrett Therapy through the website (http://www.lukebtherapy.com, this is the preferred method) or via email if needed (info@lukebtherapy.com).
Sessions can be rescheduled, or canceled, up to 24 hours before the session start time. If a client attends a session after the start time, but before the scheduled end time (late attendance), the session will still end at the scheduled end time, and no refunds or credit will be offered for future sessions. Sessions that are canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled start time, or are not attended by the client (no show), will not be refunded and no credit will be given to use in the future. Sessions may not be rescheduled within 24 hours of the scheduled start time. Clients can reschedule or cancel sessions via www.lukebtherapy.com (preferred method), or via email (info@lukebtherapy.com). Clients should communicate scheduling questions via email (info@lukebtherapy.com).
Refunds
No refunds will be provided under any circumstances.
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Confidentiality
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All sessions and clinical documentation will always be confidential, and client privacy will be protected, except in circumstances when someone's safety is at risk, or if a client provides information about abuse or neglect that happened to children, older adults, or people with disabilities, or as required by law. This policy is in accordance with California mandated reporting requirements. If you are ever concerned about the limits of confidentiality please discuss it with your therapist.
Technology for Telehealth Online Therapy
All sessions will use Zoom (audio and/or video) and will never be recorded. All clinical documentation will be electronic and secure to protect client privacy and confidentiality.
Important Note: The State of California requires that the client be physically present in California during telehealth psychotherapy sessions. Clients are required to notify Luke Barrett Therapy if they are not able to be in California for a scheduled session so the session can be rescheduled or canceled (see Session Scheduling, Rescheduling, Cancellation, Late Attendance, and No Show Policy above for additional information).
Communication Expectations, Messaging, and Email
The preferred method of communication for scheduling or business questions (referrals, technical problems with the website, billing) is email (info@lukebtherapy.com). Clients will never be charged a fee for scheduling or business questions. Luke Barrett Therapy will reply to clients regarding scheduling or business questions within 2 business days (Monday - Friday), except on holidays or during scheduled time off. If a client feels more comfortable leaving a voicemail on a secure phone number for scheduling or business questions, they may call (559) 201-8667. Luke Barrett Therapy will generally reply to voicemails via email, unless the client notifies Luke Barrett Therapy in the voicemail that they do not want a written reply and they would prefer to discuss it during the next session instead.
Luke Barrett Therapy will protect client privacy by using password protected communication methods (Google Voice, Gmail, Google Chat, Apple iMessage). Luke Barrett Therapy will not provide access to communication content to anyone except for the client, unless required by law.
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Luke Barrett Therapy offers a subscription messaging service for clients ($100 per month) that allows clients to communicate with Luke Barrett, LCSW, MPA, CCM for any of the following purposes: responses to journal prompts or homework, topics for discussion during future sessions, or thoughts about past sessions. The subscription messaging service includes a response from Luke Barrett, LCSW, MPA, CCM within 1 business day (except for holidays and scheduled time off). Clients should expect to receive a maximum of two responses per day. The responses may include journaling prompts, homework suggestions, encouragement, information about coping skills, resources (books, videos, etc.), or psychoeducation. The messaging service is intended to be used in addition to therapy sessions, and this service is only available to clients who have regularly scheduled therapy sessions with Luke Barrett, LCSW, MPA, CCM.
The messaging service is based on a monthly subscription that will automatically renew until the client cancels via www.lukebtherapy.com. No refunds or credit for future service will be offered regardless of how many messages are exchanged during the month. One month of messaging service is limited to a maximum of 1.5 hours of audio messages sent by the client, or approximately 10,000 words of written messages sent by the client. It is important that clients understand that all communication (text message, email, phone call / voicemail) with Luke Barrett, LCSW, MPA, CCM outside of a session is not intended to be a form of therapy and will not be documented, charged, or administratively managed as therapy.
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Records Request
Client records are available upon request by the client. Luke Barrett Therapy will provide a treatment summary, and other clinical documentation if requested, via email within 5 business days of the request. Luke Barrett Therapy may require a signed release of information prior to releasing records. Records may also be released as required by law.
Letter Request
Letters for official purposes may be available for $300 each. Luke Barrett Therapy reserves the right to refuse to write a letter based on all applicable laws and clinical judgment.
Social Media
To protect client and therapist privacy, clients and therapists should not interact with each other on social media.
Crisis Services and Resources
Luke Barrett Therapy does not offer crisis services. If you ever feel suicidal, or experience a mental health crisis, you should go to the nearest emergency room, call 988, or call 911. The California Warm Line (855-845-7415) is also available for 24/7 emotional support.
Termination of Services
Therapy services will normally be terminated when both the therapist and client agree that the goals for therapy have been achieved.
The client may terminate therapy anytime. Clients are encouraged to schedule a final session if they decide to terminate therapy to discuss the progress made in therapy and to discuss referral options if appropriate.
Luke Barrett Therapy may terminate therapy services if there are legal or ethical reasons to do so. Luke Barrett Therapy may also terminate therapy services if the client has not paid for services provided. If Luke Barrett Therapy terminates therapy services, then clients will be provided with the rationale for the decision and referrals will be offered if appropriate.
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Emergency Situations and Confidentiality
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Clients are required to provide an emergency contact person and their phone number. The emergency contact person will only be contacted in the event of a life threatening or similar emergency situation, and only the minimum necessary information to respond to the emergency will be disclosed.