Welcome to Middle Path Counseling MO/KS
Thank you for choosing our practice for your mental health care. Below are our updated 2026 Practice Policies, which must be reviewed annually by all clients. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at rachael@middlepathmo.com.
NEW CLIENT INFORMATION
All new clients (ALL CLIENTS) will begin with a 30-minute Screening/Intake (90791) appointment. This session includes:
- Review of insurance benefits and estimated therapy costs
- Discussion of practice policies, fees, and scope of care
- Introduction to our specialized treatment tracks (Adherent DBT, DBT-Informed Care, and EMDR)
Following this appointment, the next 3–4 sessions will focus on intake and assessment, during which your therapist will gather detailed information about your history, strengths, current challenges, and therapy goals.
OUR SPECIALIZED TREATMENT TRACKS
Middle Path Counseling offers specialized, evidence-based care tailored to your clinical needs and level of support.
| Program | What It Includes | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Adherent DBT | Individual therapy, weekly DBT Skills Training Group, and 24/7 phone coaching | Clients with high-risk behaviors, chronic emotional dysregulation, or those requiring intensive, structured support |
| DBT-Informed Care | Individual therapy sessions incorporating DBT skills without group or coaching | Clients who have completed a full DBT program or who need targeted skills support |
| EMDR Therapy | Structured 8-phase trauma treatment model | PTSD, trauma, phobias, and distress related to past life experiences |
Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine the most appropriate treatment track.
USE OF SECURE TECHNOLOGY & AI
To enhance clinical care and administrative efficiency, Middle Path Counseling uses HIPAA-compliant Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools within select software systems.
- AI tools may be used for clinical documentation, transcription, and administrative tasks
- All systems meet federal privacy and security standards to protect your Protected Health Information (PHI)
THERAPY PARTICIPATION POLICY
Because DBT and EMDR are specialized treatments, we encourage clients to work with one individual therapist during treatment to support a consistent clinical approach.
Please inform your therapist if you receive other services, including medication management, intensive outpatient treatment (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), or family/couples counseling, so care can be coordinated when appropriate.
APPOINTMENTS & CANCELLATIONS
- 24-hour notice: Canceling or rescheduling with less than 24 hours’ notice incurs a $75 fee for licensed professionals or a $40 fee for master’s-level interns.
- Prime-time appointments: Late cancellations of appointments scheduled after 3:00 PM incur a $100 fee.
- Business-hour notice: Cancellation and rescheduling requests must be received during office hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, and Friday, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM. After-hours messages are processed when the office reopens; sending a message after hours does not establish cancellation notice at the time sent.
- Late arrivals: A 10-minute grace period is allowed. Arriving more than 10 minutes late may require rescheduling.
- Missed appointments: Two consecutive cancellations or no-shows may result in loss of a recurring time slot. Four total no-shows or late cancellations may result in a three-month therapy break or referral to another provider. Your therapist will discuss clinically appropriate next steps and continuity of care.
BAD WEATHER & EMERGENCY CLOSURES
We prioritize client and clinician safety during severe weather and community emergencies.
Weather-related closures
During hazardous conditions—including snow, ice, flooding, tornado warnings, or extreme cold—we may move in-person sessions to telehealth or close for the day. Updates will be communicated through email, the client portal, or practice voicemail when applicable.
Cancellation fees
- If the practice initiates a closure or weather-related transition, no late cancellation or no-show fees apply.
- If we remain open but you feel unsafe traveling, contact us as soon as possible. Telehealth may be offered when clinically appropriate.
- Late cancellation fees may be waived at the practice’s discretion based on safety concerns.
Client responsibilities and outages
Monitor local weather and notify us promptly if conditions prevent attendance. If weather-related power or internet outages prevent a session, we will discuss rescheduling or another appropriate option. No cancellation fee will be charged for that outage.
This policy applies to weather-related or community emergencies. Standard cancellation policies otherwise apply. Middle Path Counseling determines practice closures and weather-related fee waivers.
SESSION LENGTH & BILLING
Therapy sessions are typically 45–53 minutes. Insurance billing reflects actual psychotherapy time:
- 90832: 16–37 minutes
- 90834: 38–52 minutes
- 90837: 53 minutes or longer
DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY
If substance use prevents safe or effective participation, a session may need to be rescheduled. Your clinician will assess safety and discuss appropriate next steps, including referrals when needed. If necessary, we may help arrange a safe ride at your expense. Emergency services may be contacted when there is an immediate safety concern.
PAYMENT POLICIES
- Payment is due at the time of service. Outstanding balances must be addressed before future services are scheduled.
- Balances unpaid after 30 days may be charged to your authorized card on file or referred to a collection agency, consistent with applicable requirements.
- Self-pay rates: Licensed clinicians: $125–$150 per session. Interns: $40 per session.
- Approved paperwork services: $125 per hour, based on actual time spent, as described below.
FMLA, ADA & DISABILITY PAPERWORK
Our primary role is providing mental health treatment. Employment-related and disability paperwork is a separate service and is not automatically included in therapy.
Begin with your treating physician
We strongly encourage clients seeking FMLA certification, ADA workplace accommodation documentation, or short-term disability paperwork to begin with their treating physician, such as their primary care doctor or psychiatrist.
The provider should be familiar with your condition and qualified to address the requested information. Please confirm which providers your employer or benefit plan accepts.
Minimum treatment relationship
Before our practice will consider completing these forms, you must have an established working relationship with your treating therapist and have completed at least 10 individual therapy sessions with that therapist. Group sessions do not count.
This is a practice requirement, not a legal eligibility requirement for leave, accommodations, or benefits. Completing 10 sessions does not guarantee that we will complete forms or support a particular request.
Your therapist must determine that the request is clinically supported, within their professional scope and competence, and supported by sufficient assessment and treatment information. We may decline a request we cannot accurately support or recommend another qualified provider.
Long-term disability
For mental-health-related long-term disability paperwork, we strongly encourage a comprehensive psychological or psychiatric evaluation by an appropriately qualified provider. Discuss the appropriate evaluation with your therapist. An outside evaluation may be needed before we can consider supporting documentation.
Review and approval timeline
Submit requests at least 30 calendar days before your deadline to allow for review, a decision about whether we can complete the forms, and preparation if accepted. Provide:
- All forms and instructions
- The submission deadline
- Relevant job duties and the information requested
- Any required authorization to release information
Requests involving a clinician practicing under supervision require supervisory review and approval before completion. The signing provider must meet the recipient’s requirements.
Notify us immediately if your deadline is sooner than 30 days. Our review window does not extend deadlines established by your employer or benefit plan. We will let you know whether we can meet the deadline or discuss another provider or option. Expedited completion is not guaranteed.
Paperwork fees
Approved paperwork services are billed at $125 per hour, based on actual time spent reviewing relevant information, preparing forms, and completing related administrative work or follow-up.
Fees are separate from therapy session charges. We will discuss the anticipated charge and obtain your agreement before billable paperwork work begins. Do not assume insurance will cover this service. Payment does not guarantee a particular clinical recommendation or approval of your request.
Other options
Discuss your needs with your therapist before submitting forms. Options may include working with your physician, obtaining an outside evaluation, or providing a limited treatment summary to an appropriate provider with your written authorization.
Our practice provides clinical information and recommendations when appropriate. Your employer, insurer, or benefit administrator determines eligibility and approval.
TELEHEALTH & PRIVACY
- Therapy cannot be conducted while you are driving or riding in a moving vehicle.
- Attend from a private location where others cannot overhear, and be appropriately dressed.
- Confirm your current physical location with your therapist at each telehealth session.
- Sessions may occasionally be recorded for training purposes. Explicit consent will be obtained beforehand. Training recordings are deleted after 30 days.
DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICES
Middle Path Counseling MO/KS may discontinue services for repeated policy violations, inability to participate safely or effectively in treatment, or threatening or abusive behavior. When appropriate, we will discuss concerns, reasonable next steps, and referrals to support continuity of care.