Payment for services is important in any professional relationship. This is even truer in therapy. One treatment goal is to make relationships and the duties they involve clear. You are responsible for seeing that my services are paid for. Meeting this responsibility shows your commitment and maturity.

 

You will be given advance notice if my fees should change. I believe that telephone consultations occasionally may be suitable or even needed at times in our therapy. If so, I will charge you our regular fee, pro-rated over the time needed. If I need to have long telephone conferences with other professionals as part of your treatment, you will be billed for these at the same rate as for regular therapy services. If you are concerned about all this, please be sure to discuss it with me in advance so we can set a policy that is comfortable for both of us. Of course, there is no charge for calls about appointments or similar business.

 

Reports: I will not charge you for making simple reports to your insurance company. However, I will bill you for any extra-long or complex reports that might be required.

 

I realize that my fees involve substantial amounts of money, although they are well in line with what similar professionals charge. For you to get the best value for your money, we must work hard and well. I examine my fee schedule yearly, and so may change my fees each new year.

 

I will assume that our agreed-upon fee-paying relationship will continue as long as I provide services to you. I will assume this until you tell me in person, by telephone, or by certified mail that you wish to end it. You have a responsibility to pay for any services you receive before you end the relationship.

 

At the end of each month, I will send you a statement covering services rendering during that month. I ask that the invoice be paid within ten days of receipt. The statement can be used for health insurance claims, as described elsewhere. It will show all of our meetings, the charges for each, how much has been paid, and how much (if any) is still owed. At the end of treatment, and when you have paid for all sessions, I will send you a final statement for your tax records. As regards tax deductibility, depending on your financial circumstances and total medical costs for any year, psychotherapy may be a deductible expense, so consult your tax advisor. Cost of transportation to and from appointments and fees paid may be deductible from your personal income taxes as medical expenses, but you should check to be sure.

 

If you think you may have trouble paying your bills on time, please discuss this with me. I will also raise the matter with you so we can arrive at a solution. Fees that continue unpaid will be turned over to small-claims court or a collection service. A collection agency may get only your name, address, phone number, the amount owed, and my name. Small-claims court will get only your name, address, proof of services, and the amount owed to me.

 

If you have thought or concerns about my charges, my billing, your insurance, or any other money-related point, please bring it to my attention. I will do the same with you. Such problems can interfere with our work. They must be worked out openly and quickly.