FURTHER DETAILS
Below, you will find an excerpt from my professional disclosure. A copy of the complete form will be provided to you at the start of treatment.
Inness Pryor, M.Ed., LMHC LPC
Oregon LPC License: C7124
Washington LMHC License: LH61079734
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General Information
Welcome! I'm so glad that you have decided to work with me. It is an immense gift to sit with individuals like you, as you increase your skills and self-awareness in service of the life you want to live.
The therapeutic relationship is unique in that it is a highly personal and at the same time, a contractual agreement. Given this, it is important for us to reach a clear understanding about how our relationship will work, and what each of us can expect. This consent will provide a framework for our work together. Feel free to discuss any of this with me.
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Education & Experience
I received a Master's of Education in Community Counseling from Seattle University. Topics of study included:
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Fundamental Counseling Skills
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Lifespan Counseling
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Counseling Theories
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Laws & Ethics
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Social Justice
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Counseling Diverse Populations
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Educational Research
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Tests & Measurements
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Diagnosis & Assessment
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Career Development
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Group Counseling
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Couples & Family Counseling
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Child & Adolescent Counseling
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Practical Counseling Lab
Additional post-graduate coursework at Spokane Falls Community College included:
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Survey of Addictions
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Laws & Ethics of Addiction
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Physiological Effects of Alcohol & Drugs
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Family Systems & Adolescent Treatment in Addictions
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Individual & Group Treatment of Addictions
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Screening, Diagnosis, Assessment, & ASAM
As a licensed therapist in Washington and Oregon, I abide by my licensing boards' codes of ethics, as well as that of the American Counseling Association. To maintain my license, I am required to participate in continuing education, taking classes dealing with subjects relevant to this profession.
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The Therapeutic Process
Duration of therapy depends on the client, their diagnoses, and the ability to use skills learned in treatment. Typically, clients may expect to spend 5 - 12 months in therapy to see significant change.
Not every counselor is a good fit for every client. What works for one person in therapy may not work for another. If you have a concern about a session or my fit as your therapist, I invite you to discuss that concern in session (or over the phone) with me. Discussing your reactions to treatment, whether they are positive or negative, can be an important part of therapy. Therapy is an ongoing process, and you are encouraged to communicate what is helpful and what is not by making treatment-related suggestions.
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Telehealth Sessions
Telehealth is similar to in-person counseling, except that rather than having face-to-face meetings, sessions are conducted over the internet using HIPAA-compliant software that can be downloaded to your computer or mobile device, or accessed via web browser. I currently offer telehealth sessions exclusively.
Telehealth is demonstrated to have comparable outcomes to in-person counseling and may increase the flexibility and accessibility of treatment. Simultaneously, there are some limitations that may impede the therapeutic experience, including but not limited to potential for connections to be disrupted or disconnected; possibility of miscommunication due to limited body language cues; and the potential for insurance companies to deny reimbursement.
Telehealth may not be suitable for clients with a history of severe or chronic mental health concerns, including suicidal or homicidal ideation and/or attempts.
During our sessions, it is your responsibility to find a confidential space in which you can be comfortable sharing your private thoughts and feelings without anyone outside of session being able to overhear.
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Communication Policy
I invest in regular self-care in order to best serve my clients; this includes limiting client correspondence to business hours only. I check phone and email messages multiple times daily, Monday through Friday, and I try to respond to most messages within 1-3 days. I may take longer to respond to communications if I am engaged with other clients; I appreciate your patience at those times.
I reserve texting for last minute coordination only (e.g., if you are running late to a session). Note that email and text are not HIPAA-compliant and I will not discuss the details of your treatment via these methods of communication, to protect your confidentiality.
Unfortunately, I am not able to respond to crisis situations outside of our sessions. If you are in need of timely assistance, you may call 2-1-1 to be directed to resources in your community, including a free, 24/7 crisis line. If you or anyone you know is in a life-threatening or emergency situation, please call 9-1-1.
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Social Media Policy
The use of social media is a convenient and often preferred way of communicating. However, privacy and confidentiality are not guaranteed. While I may participate on various social networks for personal and professional purposes, I will not communicate with or contact clients through any form of social media, including “friending” or “following” clients. I ask that you also do not attempt to contact me by these means. This boundary is in place to protect your confidentiality and my personal privacy, as well as to avoid compromising the therapeutic relationship.
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Fees, Payment, & Attendance Policy
The cost for an individual session is $150, and the cost for a relationship or family session is $200 for two individuals (+$50 for each additional person). I accept credit card payments. You will not have to exchange payment in person, and your preferred form of payment will be securely stored in your client portal. Payments for service are processed at the end of the day through our client portal.
If you need to miss an appointment, please contact me as soon as possible. My policy is 24 hours’ notice for canceled appointments, so that I am able to offer the time to other clients. Cancellations within the 24 hour window are considered late cancellations, and will be charged my full out of pocket cost (i.e., $150 for an individual, $200 for a couple). No-shows will also be charged the full amount.
Therapy is most useful when appointments are regularly scheduled. If you wish to end therapy or take a break at any time, you are encouraged to discuss this with me; however, it is every client’s right to discontinue treatment at any time, with or without notice to the treatment provider. After 30 days without an appointment, your file will be closed and your time slot opened to other clients. You are welcome to return when you are ready!
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Letters
I do not provide disability letters, companion pet letters, letters for gender care (e.g., surgery), letters regarding your ability to work, or any other letters that would inform others of your mental health history. You must discuss these needs with your medical or primary care provider.
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Confidentiality
I am bound by my professional ethics to protect client rights to confidential communication in regards to their involvement in counseling. For this reason, if you want me to release information about your participation in therapy to anyone, I will require a signed “Release of Information” from you.
To enrich my clinical knowledge, I engage in ongoing consultation with other professional therapists. If I discuss aspects of our work together, your name and other personal identifying information will be omitted. I will obtain written permission from you for video or audio taping as required for consultation. You have the right to decline recording of your sessions.
Your right to privacy and confidentiality is of the utmost importance to me, and I do not wish to jeopardize your privacy; therefore, if we see each other accidentally outside of the therapy office, I will not acknowledge you first. However, if you acknowledge me first, I will be more than happy to say hello, though I will not discuss the details of your treatment in public. If you happen to spot me in a moment where I’m engaged in my personal life and privacy seems appropriate, either in public or online, I ask that you respect that. Please feel empowered to discuss any such encounters in our therapy sessions, as will I, if I am aware of them.
This confidentiality has the following exceptions as provided by law:
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In the event of a threat of harm to yourself or someone else.
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In the event of suspected child or elder abuse.
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In the event that you bring a complaint against me, information will be released.
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In the event that your records are subpoenaed by a judge or judicial officer, information must be released.
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In the event that your records are subpoenaed by a lawyer, they will be released unless you file a Protection Order.
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In the event of the client’s death or disability, the information may be released if the client’s personal representative or the beneficiary of an insurance policy on the client’s life signs a release authorizing disclosure.
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In the event of the client revealing the contemplation or commission of a crime or harmful act, the therapist may release that information to the appropriate authorities.
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In the case of a minor client, information indicating that the client was a victim of a crime may be released to the proper authorities.
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For purposes of an audit either by third party payers, outside funders or the State Department of Mental Health for state licensing review, information will be released.
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In the event of a medical emergency, emergency personnel or services may be given necessary information.
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