Adolescent Psychotherapy Policies
Welcome to my psychotherapy practice!
Below are some details about my practice policies. Please read carefully.
Many adolescents are struggling to form a cohesive sense of self because of the conflicting values they are encountering within their families, peer groups and neighborhoods. It can be difficult for an adolescent to feel they can confide in their parents for a variety of reasons and sometimes a non-biased neutral adult feels safer. Ultimately, the goal is that your adolescent is able to navigate their worlds feeling more empowered to ask for help when needed and take responsibility for their actions.
Consultation and Assessment Process: When meeting with a new family, the first step is an initial assessment and consultation with any caregiver(s) present in order to obtain a developmental and family history as well as details about your adolescent and family’s current functioning. I will then meet with the adolescent three times in order to engage and assess. The last step is to have a follow up session with caregivers (s) to share impressions, decide if to move forward, and set intentions for therapy.
Parent’s Role in Therapy: Parents are a vital part of the therapy process. It has been my experience that semi-regularly scheduled meetings with parents lead to adolescents making greater strides. Younger adolescents may benefit from parents having a greater involvement whereas older teens may need more privacy and autonomy in the therapy process. This will be discussed during the assessment process.
I request that parents of younger adolescents meet with me on a regular basis, ideally every 6 weeks. I understand that due to a myriad factors including availability and need, the frequency of sessions will vary. I will do my best to provide appointment times that are convenient for families including later evening and morning appointments.
Confidentiality: Everything your adolescent shares with me remains confidential unless (1) They are a harm to themselves and/or others; (2) they are in danger, (3) they give me permission to share information. What parents share with me in session is used to enhance your adolescent’s therapy. Although I won’t share the exact details, themes and issues brought up in parent sessions may be discussed with your adolescent.
Waiting Area: In order to ensure everyone’s privacy and due to the nature of the waiting area, please try to arrive no more than 5 minutes before your session time.
Food and Drink: I ask that patient’s do not eat in the therapy office. Patients are welcome to bring water and other non-clear drinks if they are careful. If eating in the waiting area, please be mindful of crumbs and clean up after yourself.
Canceling Sessions: Please give 48 business hours notice for all cancellations and reschedules. Cancel/reschedule via voicemail at (646) 783-8514. Adolescents 14yo+ MUST cancel/reschedule sessions themselves as I find it is an integral part in their accountability in the process. Adolescents 12yo-13yo are encouraged to cancel themselves if clinically appropriate. Some patients prefer having cancellations in writing, so if you would like to email in addition, please do so. But remember, a voice message is required to cancel especially if it is close to the appointment date.
Attendance: Clients are allowed to cancel 4 sessions per year without penalties. After four sessions, families will be charged the full rate for additional misses but are encouraged to reschedule these sessions to make the most of the therapy experience. A “rescheduled” session means it is in addition to the regularly scheduled weekly session and 48 hours notice must still be given. These sessions must be paid upfront and can be rescheduled within the next three months. This policy encourages consistency in attendance and a respect for the weekly time I carve out for each of my clients. It also shifts the dynamic of patients feeling as though they need permission to cancel a session to an agreed upon decision. As I know this can be more challenging for youth due to school vacations, I am open to discussing on an individual basis how to handle extended absences during the summer months.
Communication: I am available by PHONE (646) 783-8514 and EMAIL bazlcsw@gmail.com Email is not confidential, so please do not put any personal information in communications. If you are looking for a faster response, please call as I check voice mail regularly and email intermittently. Please be sure to leave a message- this is a google voice number- NOT my cell phone so I may not see a missed call.
Although I am reachable by phone and email, I ask that since parent interactions are a major part of the therapy, that most of the work happens during scheduled appointments. Please be mindful that I am working with a number of families and can guarantee my full attention and care better when it is not a rushed conversation crammed in the middle of a busy day.
PLEASE NO TEXTING. The phone number provided is a google voice number and “texts'' get sent to an email address that goes unchecked. Voice mails are checked. This is a conscious choice because although I understand that in a social context they are convenient, but they are not something I use professionally in part because: (1) they are not HIPPA compliant, (2) It is easy to send the text to the wrong number which violates confidentiality, (3) they are easy to misinterpret and misunderstand. I am happy to discuss this further on an individual basis if needed.
Finances and Payment: Invoices are sent on the 1st of the month and I ask that you submit payment within 3 business days. If you need an accommodation on this issue, please discuss with me directly. This helps me keep my billing system running efficiently. Unless agreed upon, payments that are 10 days overdue are considered “late”. Payments that are consistently late will be considered a clinical issue and brought up in a parent session.
Payment forms accepted are Zelle Quickpay,cash, check and ACH routing. To pay me through Zelle, please search using my email address (not phone number). If you would like to use a credit card you will be responsible for the additional 3% (plus $0.30 per transaction). The credit card authorization form gives me permission to charge your card if the therapy ends without the bill being settled. If you are sending a check please send it to my office address.