PRACTICE POLICIES

Welcome to Middle Path Counseling MO!

Thank you for choosing our practice for your mental health care. Below, you’ll find our updated 2025 Practice Policies, which must be reviewed annually by all clients. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at rachael@middlepathmo.com.

NEW CLIENT INFORMATION

New clients (ALL CLIENTS) will begin with a 30-minute Screening/Intake (90791). This session includes:

Reviewing your insurance and therapy costs.
Discussing our practice policies, fees, and scope of care.
Introducing you to DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

After your initial session, the next 3-4 sessions will focus on intake and assessment, during which your therapist will gather detailed information about your experiences, strengths, and therapy goals.

DBT Program & Individual Therapy Policy

Our core therapeutic modalities are DBT and EMDR, which can be semi-intensive. We encourage clients to work with only one therapist during treatment to avoid therapy overload, reduce risks, and ensure consistency in care.

Please inform your therapist if you are receiving services from other professionals, such as those for medication management, IOP, PHP, or family/couples counseling.

Appointments and Cancellations (2024)

24-Hour Cancellation Policy: Canceling or rescheduling with less than 24 hours’ notice incurs a fee:
- $75 for licensed professionals.
- $40 for master’s level interns.
Prime-Time Cancellation Fee: Appointments canceled after 3 PM will incur a $100 fee.
Late Arrivals: A 10-minute grace period is allowed. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you may need to reschedule.
Missed Appointments:
- Two consecutive cancellations or no-shows may result in losing your recurring time slot.
- Four total no-shows or late cancellations may lead to a 3-month therapy break or a referral to another provider.
Inactive Clients: If you have no sessions for 2 months, you will be removed as an active client and may need to reapply for services.

Disclosure Regarding Session Length and Billing

At Middle Path Counseling MO, therapy sessions are typically 45–53 minutes long, allowing us to provide thorough and effective care. Most of our sessions fall under this range, as it aligns with best practices and insurance guidelines.

For insurance billing purposes:

Sessions lasting 16 minutes or more are eligible to be billed.
The following CPT codes are used based on the session length:
- 90832: 16–37 minutes (brief therapy session).
- 90834: 38–52 minutes (standard individual therapy session).
- 90837: 53+ minutes (extended individual therapy session).

If you have any questions about your session length or how it may be billed to your insurance, please feel free to ask.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

To maintain a safe therapeutic environment:

Clients arriving under the influence of drugs or alcohol may need to reschedule and could face dismissal from care.
If necessary, we may arrange a safe ride (e.g., Uber), with the cost billed to you. If cooperation is refused, authorities may be contacted.

In-Person Sessions

Please avoid wearing strong scents. Sessions may be moved to telehealth if this becomes an issue.
Service animals are welcome with advance notice, provided they meet workplace guidelines.
Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited in our facility.

Payment Policies

Payment Due at Time of Service: Balances must be paid before future services can be scheduled.
Late Payments: Unpaid balances after 30 days may result in collection attempts using your card on file or referral to a collection agency.
Self-Pay Rates:
- Licensed therapists: $100–$150/session.
- Master’s-level interns: $40/session.
- Additional fees may apply for documents, such as letters ($100) or FMLA/disability paperwork ($100).

Telehealth Policies and Guidelines

To ensure the effectiveness, safety, and confidentiality of your therapy sessions, please adhere to the following telehealth policies:

Appropriate Space and Safety
- Therapy cannot be conducted in a moving vehicle or while driving.
- Clients must be in a private, HIPAA-compliant space, free from distractions.
Camera Use
- Both client and therapist must use working cameras for the entire session.
Client Conduct
- Clients should be appropriately dressed and sober for all sessions.
Technical Issues
- In the event of technical difficulties, alternative HIPAA-compliant platforms (e.g., Zoom, FaceTime, phone) may be used to continue the session.
Training Recordings
- Occasionally, sessions may be recorded for training purposes. Recordings will be securely stored and deleted after 30 days. Your explicit consent will be obtained before any recording.

REFUSAL OF SERVICES

Middle Path Counseling MO/KS reserves the right to refuse or discontinue services at any time if it is determined that the therapeutic relationship is not a good fit. While we strive to meet each client’s needs, we will always provide referrals to ensure continuity of care and avoid abandonment. Examples of situations where services may be refused or discontinued include but are not limited to:

Violation of practice policies or terms of service.
Non-compliance with recommended care.
Disrespectful or threatening behavior toward staff or clinicians.
Repeated no-shows or late cancellations.

Other Key Policies

Minors: Consent from both parents is required, along with custody documentation, if applicable.
Good Faith Estimates: Clients without insurance or not using insurance will receive an estimate of expected costs.
Electronic Communication: Use of text and email is limited to scheduling. Please do not discuss therapeutic content via these channels.

We deeply value the trust you place in us and are committed to providing you with compassionate, high-quality care. If you have questions about these policies or need clarification, feel free to reach out.

Thank you for choosing Middle Path Counseling MO/KS. We look forward to working with you!

Updated 12/4/2024