Counseling and Court-related Fees.

Licensed Therapist Fees: Therapy is $150 per 60-minute session; $170 for the initial assessment. The balance is due at the time of service. Co-pays if applicable, will be charged the end of each session. John Stacy, LPC, CSAC, Melinda Meyers, LPC, ATR-BC, and Elizabeth (Liz) Wieschhaus, LPC are in-network with most commercial insurances: Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Sentara/Optima, Optum, Tricare Certified Out of Network, and UHC, as well as most Medicaid plans. Tricare members may use Point-of-Service option where they have out of pocket cost for services when they're unable to obtain an authorization for services. If self-pay, then we can provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance. We recommend that you call your insurance provider to know your financial responsibility for your specific plan before starting therapy.

Resident In Counseling Fees: Lisa Ellison, MA, Resident in Counseling self-pay rates are $100 per 60-minute session; $100 for initial assessment. Couples therapy is self-pay at $150.00 for 75-minute session; $175 for initial Couples assessment for 75-minutes. Lisa accepts commercial plans for Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, UBH, and Sentara. She is In-Network with Medicaid plans for Aetna Better Health, Anthem Healthkeepers, Molina Healthcare, Sentara Community Care, and United Healthcare Community. For all therapists, rates of service will vary depending on time spent in session. There is a $35.00 fee for insufficient funds for returned checks.

No-Show/Late Cancellation Fees: This is a reminder of our No-Show Policy and the associated fees for missed appointments. If you are unable to attend a previously scheduled appointment, please notify John, Melinda, Liz, or Lisa by email, phone, or text no later than 24 hours prior to your appointment.

Failure to notify us within this timeframe will result in a $50.00 fee for missed appointments.

Please be aware that no showing two appointments without notice may lead to the cancellation of your recurring appointments and/or termination of services. We deeply value your time and ask that all participants show the same consideration for ours. Additionally, if you require a phone consultation exceeding 15 minutes, there will be a charge billed in 15-minute increments at the therapy fee rate. However, there is no charge for phone calls related to scheduling or re-scheduling appointments.

Payment Methods – At Redefine Therapy, LLC, we require all clients to keep a valid credit or debit card on file. This card will be used to process payments for services rendered as well as any applicable fees unless prior arrangements have been made with the practice. It is your responsibility to ensure that your payment information is current and to provide updated card details if there are any changes, including situations where the card may not have sufficient funds to cover the charges.

Administrative -Redefine Therapy, LLC charges for writing a letter, completing disability paperwork, or other documents at your request, consulting with another healthcare provider or other professional outside of normal case management practices. We charge the hourly therapy fee rate in 15-minute increments for these services.

Court Involvement Fee Policy

As licensed therapists, our primary role is to provide clinical care and support to our clients. Please be aware that involvement in legal matters significantly impacts our time and practice. If legal issues arise concerning the custody of a minor client, our standard practice is to communicate equally with both legal guardians. While the law requires only one signature for a release, we typically request signatures from both parents. This approach helps us maintain a neutral and collaborative working relationship with both parties.

If you anticipate the need for our therapists to participate in any legal proceedings (e.g., custody hearings, Consultations with attorneys or (GAL) guardian ad litem, court testimony, depositions), the following policy outlines the terms and associated fees:

Court-Related Services & Fees

• Preparation & Documentation:
  $200 per hour
  (Includes case review, report writing, communication with attorneys, etc.)

• Phone Consultations with Attorneys or Legal Staff:
  $200 per hour (billed in 15-minute increments)

• Court Appearance / Testimony (including depositions):
  $1,200 per day (minimum)
  This includes time spent traveling, waiting, and testifying. The daily fee applies regardless of whether I am called to testify.

• Half-Day Appearance (up to 4 hours total):
  $1,200 (minimum)

• Travel Time:
  $100 per hour

• Subpoena Compliance:
  $200 flat administrative fee for record preparation and submission

Payment Terms

• A separate retainer for legal matters will be established upon notification of legal matters.

• A non-refundable retainer fee of $1,000 is required at least 14 days prior to any scheduled court appearance.

• All legal-related services must be paid in advance.

• Time exceeding the retainer will be billed and must be paid in full before further services are rendered.

• If a court appearance is cancelled with less than 72 hours' notice, the full appearance fee will still apply.

Important Disclosures

• We do not offer expert witness services outside of the scope of our direct clinical work.

• Testimony is limited to factual information and professional opinions within the context of treatment.

• If custody issues arise and it requires documentation from Redefine Therapy, LLC, a separate retainer for legal issues will be established so that clinical services can continue while administrative (hearings, documentation, case management, etc) can be compensated separately and in a timely manner. These services are paid for in advance.

• We reserve the right to decline involvement in cases where we believe our participation would compromise clinical boundaries or therapeutic integrity.

LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY

Everything a client says during a therapy session is held confidential and will not be shared without written permission except under the following conditions:

-The client threatens to commit suicide.

-The client threatens to physically harm another person.

-The client reports suspected child abuse.

-The client reports abuse of an elderly person.

-The client reports sexual exploitation by a therapist.

-When ordered by a judge.

These situations need to be reported to the appropriate persons and/or agencies.

An exception to this is in cases of couples/family counseling and clinical supervision. Your therapist does not hold secrets confided to them by partners or family members, rather, we will encourage members to be honest with each other and provides a safe setting to do so.

Agreement regarding minors: In Virginia, minors who are 13 years old, have the right to consent to mental health and drug and alcohol treatment without their parents’ consent or knowledge in some cases. When working with children and youth as the primary client it is important that they have privacy to discuss issues in our counseling relationship just as adults do. It is important that young people have the privacy they need, but at the same time, parents have information that they need. When important issues come up we will encourage and support young clients in discussions with their family. If the youth discloses information that we feel is necessary to inform the parents about we will discuss this with the young person first. The above limits of confidentiality pertain to children as well as adults. In cases of child abuse we are required to report to child services and will do our best to include parents as much as possible.

Record Keeping: Redefine Therapy, LLC is required to keep records about your treatment. These records help ensure the quality and continuity of your care, as well as provide evidence that the services you receive meet the appropriate standards of care. Your records are maintained in an electronic health record (EHR). Our EHR has several safety features to protect your personal information, including advanced encryption techniques to make your personal information difficult to decode, firewalls to prevent unauthorized access, and a team of professionals monitoring the system for suspicious activity. The EHR keeps records of all log-ins and actions within the system. Progress Notes: Notes documenting the contents of a counseling session with you will be used only by your therapist and will not otherwise be used or disclosed without your written authorization.

NO EMERGENCY SERVICES CONTACT

I understand that Redefine Therapy, LLC does not offer crisis services. I understand that if I phone my counselor and leave a message that I may have to wait up to 48 hours before I receive a reply. If at any time I believe that without immediate crisis intervention I am going to physically harm myself or another person, I agree that I will either phone the 24-hour per day Norfolk Community Services Board (757-756-5600); Chesapeake Integrative Behavioral Health (757-548-7000); Virginia Beach Community Services Board (757-656-7755); Adult and youth mobile crisis (9-8-8) or Emergency Services (9-1-1).

Electronic Interaction: The most confidential method of communication is in person; therefore, we keep all clinical conversations, except in emergencies, in the therapy room. If needing to contact our office outside of therapy sessions, John Stacy, LPC, CSAC, Melinda Meyers, LPC, ATR-BC, Elizabeth (Liz) Wieschhaus, LPC, and Lisa Ellison, MA, Resident in Counseling may be contacted via email, telephone, or text, to reschedule or confirm appointments. However, if we do not respond to your email, voicemail, or text you can assume we did not receive the message. Email correspondence sent to john@redefinetherapy.net; melinda@redefinetherapy.net; Liz@redefinetherapy.net; Lisa@redefinetherapy.net; and info@redefinetherapy.net are confidential and HIPAA compliant. Please do not put sensitive information in emails. If you have a clinical concern that comes up between sessions, please call or email your therapist.

CLIENTS RIGHTS:

• You have a right to refuse to enter or continue treatment at any time. If there is any reason you are unhappy with your services, please feel free to discuss it with your therapist; we will be happy to refer you to another therapist. If we do not believe that counseling with the therapist at Redefine Therapy, LLC would benefit you the most, we will suggest another therapist or type of treatment that perhaps could serve you better.

• To expect that a licensee or pre-licensee under clinical supervision has met the minimum qualifications of training and experience required by state law;

• To examine public records maintained by the Board and to have the Board confirm credentials of a licensee;

• To report complaints to the Board;

• To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services;

• To be assured of privacy and confidentiality while receiving services as defined by rule or law, including the following exceptions:

• Reporting suspected child abuse;

• Reporting imminent danger to the client or others;

• Reporting information required in court proceedings or by client's insurance company or other relevant agencies;

• Providing information concerning licensee case consultation or supervision; and

• To be free from being the object of discrimination on any basis

Risks and benefits: Sometimes issues are brought up in therapy that can bring up unpleasant feelings/ increased conflict in relationships. Working through these issues can bring resolution and increased trust as well as closer relationships. Sometimes issues reported in therapy bring up possible mandated reporting scenarios where we have to break confidentiality. On the other side, I think there are many potential benefits to therapy such as personal growth, learning skills, confronting old demons, and getting better! It is up to you to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks and want to proceed with therapy. We just want you to make as informed of a decision as possible and be an informed consumer of therapeutic services.

Informed Consent for Treatment: Signing this agreement means that you agree with all points in this form and give consent to enter treatment. I understand that I may revoke this consent at any time. I have had the opportunity ask any questions.

Termination of therapy: Redefine Therapy Therapists reserve the right to terminate therapy at their discretion. Reasons for termination include, but are not limited to, untimely payment of fees, failure to comply with treatment recommendations, aggressive or disrespectful behavior, conflicts of interest, failure to participate in therapy, when client’s needs are outside of therapist’s scope of competence or practice, or client is not making adequate progress in therapy. Client has the right to terminate therapy at their discretion. Upon either party’s decision to terminate therapy, participation may be offered in one, or possibly more, termination sessions. These sessions are intended to facilitate a positive termination experience, and to give both parties an opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done. We will also attempt to ensure a smooth transition to another therapist by offering referrals to client.