introduction
It is the client’s responsibility to understand the nature of our therapeutic and business relationship. These are two separate, but interrelated aspects of beginning a therapy or life coaching journey. Please read the follow policies. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. All new clients will be required to book a Diagnostic Assessment in order to evaluate whether Psychotherapy or Life Coaching is the most appropriate service. Each person’s clinical needs are different and the course of therapy or life coaching is unique to each person. Melissa Yost, LCSW will work with you to determine at treatment plan and path at Buffalo Road that is right for you! We highly value a collaborative, open relationship with our clients, and this document is the beginning of that as we communicate our policies and expectations with you.
SERVICE TYPES
PSYCHOTHERAPY vs. LIFE COACHING
Psychotherapy is a clinical session, 50 minutes in length, with primary focus on mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, or resolution of traumatic memory. If insurance is being utilized, such as out of network benefits, a diagnosis will be shared with insurance company on paperwork known as “Superbills.”
Psychotherapy is indicated for all clients residing in Florida who also meet criteria for one or more mental health diagnosis (DSM-V). For this reason, all new clients must complete a Diagnostic Assessment prior to beginning treatment.
Life Coaching, in contrast, has a primary focus of learning techniques and strategies for managing everyday life stress, relationship difficulties, and career guidance. Life Coaching is indicated for clients who live outside of the State of Florida or overseas for whom it is clinically appropriate, such as those struggling with mood but do not meet criteria for a DSM-V disorder. Buffalo Road Therapy & Coaching, LLC has the right to decline therapy or life coaching with anyone, for any reason. Appropriate recommendations or referrals will be provided.
Psychotherapy and life coaching have overlapping experiences and elements. Please speak to Melissa to further discuss your personal situation.
THERAPY OR COACHING CHECK-IN SESSIONS
These sessions are designed for periodic checking-in with psychotherapy or life coaching clients who have reached their therapy or coaching goals and/or just need a brief discussion of current issues. Clients who have not been in regular treatment for more than three months should use this option to discuss re-stating treatment. A new diagnostic assessment may be required.
financial details
INSURANCE
Buffalo Road Therapy & Coaching LLC is in network with Cigna and United Healthcare insurance. We are also able to provide Superbills for you to submit to your insurance company, if different. Please note limits of confidentiality apply as diagnosis codes are required for insurance reimbursement (if applicable). Please discuss your intentions to submit insurance claims (Out of Network benefits) with your therapist.
You may wish to consider contacting your insurance company to inquire whether Melissa Yost, LCSW can be temporarily approved as an in-network provider for your insurance plan, in an agreement known as “Single Case Agreement.”You can read more about these options by reading this blog post.
communication expectations
APPOINTMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Please remember to cancel or reschedule 24 hours in advance. You will be responsible for the entire fee if cancellation is less than 24 hours.
The standard meeting time for psychotherapy is 50-55 minutes. It is up to you, however, to determine the length of time of your sessions. Requests to change the 50-minute session needs to be discussed with the therapist in order for time to be scheduled in advance.
Cancellations and re-scheduled session will be subject to a full charge if NOT RECEIVED AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. This is necessary because a time commitment is made to you and is held exclusively for you. If you are late for a session, you may lose some of that session time.
TELEPHONE ACCESSIBILITY
If you need to contact me between sessions, please send me a secure message through Client Portal or email, or leave a message on my voice mail. I am often not immediately available; however, I will attempt to return your call within 24 hours. If an emergency situation arises, please call 911 or any local emergency room.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATION
Due to the importance of your confidentiality and the importance of minimizing dual relationships, I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). I believe that adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up when we meet and we can talk more about it. I do operate public social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. You may follow me on those platforms.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
I cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media, including text messages. If you prefer to communicate via email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, I will do so. While I may try to return messages in a timely manner, I cannot guarantee immediate response and request that you do not use these methods of communication to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies. Please use phone calls or schedule a session (if requiring more than 10 minutes) to discuss any urgent issues more privately.
ending the therapeutic/coaching relationship
TERMINATION
Ending relationships can be difficult. Therefore, it is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure. The appropriate length of the termination depends on the length and intensity of the treatment. I may terminate treatment after appropriate discussion with you and a termination process if I determine that the psychotherapy is not being effectively used or if you are in default on payment. I will not terminate the therapeutic relationship without first discussing and exploring the reasons and purpose of terminating. If therapy is terminated for any reason or you request another therapist, I will provide you with a list of qualified psychotherapists to treat you. You may also choose someone on your own or from another referral source.
Should you fail to schedule an appointment for three consecutive weeks, unless other arrangements have been made in advance, for legal and ethical reasons, I must consider the professional relationship discontinued.