APPOINTMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS/MISSED APPOINTMENTS
All services are provided by appointment. I will personally answer my business phone and emails unless you are referred to my billing specialist. If you are a current client, I typically respond on the same or next business day. If you are inquiring about becoming a new client, please leave the following information on my voice mail; your name and phone number (that I can leave an explicit voicemail on), briefly the main issue you would like help with, your health insurance carrier, your availability Monday - Thursdays. I try to respond to these inquiries within 2-3 business days.
I normally conduct an initial evaluation the first meeting that will last around 60-70 minutes (longer than our regular sessions). If we begin psychotherapy, I will usually schedule one session weekly or bi-monthly at a recurring time that we agree on. .If you cancel or miss sessions frequently, I may not be able to reserve the appointment time for you. There may be rare situations in which one of us is ill or have a family emergency. In addition, there will be times that one of us will be on vacation. Otherwise, we both will commit to making every effort not to miss sessions, particularly at the last minute. In addition, you are responsible for arriving to your session on time; if you are late, your appointment will still need to end on time.
Since the scheduling of an appointment involves the reservation of time specifically for you, a minimum of 24 hours (1 business day prior) notice is required for rescheduling or canceling an appointment. If you do not show or if you cancel late, you will be expected to pay 50% of the session fee (rather than 50% of your co-pay). If requested, I will try to find another time for you to reschedule your appointment in the same week. Please make every effort to provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel, as it increases the likelihood that I will be able to reschedule your appointment and so I may be able to schedule another client during that hour. If, during our time together, you do not show for two appointments or if there is a pattern of cancellations, even 24 hours in advance, therapy may not be effective and I may decide to end therapy.
TELEHEALTH SESSIONS
Telehealth is the use of video and audio technologies to support services between providers and their clients when meeting in person is not available. It is Secure and Confidential. TheraNest does not allow for session video or audio to be recorded.
You will need:
A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and internet access. There is no app to download. A private space to talk.
To provide me with written consent beforehand. I must have consent documented before we can proceed.
What to expect:
Click on the link in your email or text reminder and you will enter the waiting room until I arrive. Once I am available, you will see a “Join Session” button at bottom of screen to click on.
Helpful tips:
Telehealth is best with a laptop or desktop, it does not work well on a phone. With Desktop or Laptop use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Safari
With a tablet, iPad or smart phone use Google Chrome with Android and Safari with IOS. If you're only choice is using a phone, it's helpful to have it connected to wi-fi when we talk to assist connection speed and quality. Keep in mind that public and unprotected wi-fi offers less security, so please use only secure wi-fi to protect your information. Any room where a door can close is ideal. Headphones can help to increase a sense of privacy when people are unavoidably nearby in other rooms, but this isn't necessary.
BACKUP: If my Theranest telehealth platform Is not working or we have significant technological problems, we will use the back up of Doxy.me which is also HIPAA secure. If that occurs, I will inform you to go to this backup platform. It is pretty similar to my client portal and my waiting room via Doxy.me. Just put the following link in browser: https://doxy.me/drmorse
COMMITMENT TO TREATMENT
If we both agree that I am a good fit for your needs, please commit to a minimum of four sessions. If at that time, therapy does not feel helpful, I welcome feedback on needed changes to my approach. You can also ask for referrals to a different therapist whom would be a better fit. Most important is that you get the help you need!
CONTACTING ME
Due to my work schedule, I am often not immediately available by telephone, email or text.
Phone: I make every effort to return calls promptly. When I am unavailable, my telephone is answered by confidential voice mail that I monitor frequently during business hours Monday - Thursday. When you leave a message, please indicate if your need is urgent. I will make every effort to return your call on the same or by the next business day. However, I am not available to return calls on weekends, non-office hours and holidays, or when I have informed you that I am out of the office. Please see crisis resources on my Resources Page for immediate needs.
Electronic Communication: You should be aware that I cannot ensure the confidentiality of email and text as they are both not secure avenues of communication. If you would like to communicate via email for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, I will do so if you provide your permission. Please do not use these methods of communication to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies.
All services are provided by appointment. I will personally answer my business phone and emails unless you are referred to my billing specialist. If you are a current client, I typically respond on the same or next business day. If you are inquiring about becoming a new client, please leave the following information on my voice mail; your name and phone number (that I can leave an explicit voicemail on), briefly the main issue you would like help with, your health insurance carrier, your availability Monday - Thursdays. I try to respond to these inquiries within 2-3 business days.
I normally conduct an initial evaluation the first meeting that will last around 60-70 minutes (longer than our regular sessions). If we begin psychotherapy, I will usually schedule one session weekly or bi-monthly at a recurring time that we agree on. .If you cancel or miss sessions frequently, I may not be able to reserve the appointment time for you. There may be rare situations in which one of us is ill or have a family emergency. In addition, there will be times that one of us will be on vacation. Otherwise, we both will commit to making every effort not to miss sessions, particularly at the last minute. In addition, you are responsible for arriving to your session on time; if you are late, your appointment will still need to end on time.
Since the scheduling of an appointment involves the reservation of time specifically for you, a minimum of 24 hours (1 business day prior) notice is required for rescheduling or canceling an appointment. If you do not show or if you cancel late, you will be expected to pay 50% of the session fee (rather than 50% of your co-pay). If requested, I will try to find another time for you to reschedule your appointment in the same week. Please make every effort to provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel, as it increases the likelihood that I will be able to reschedule your appointment and so I may be able to schedule another client during that hour. If, during our time together, you do not show for two appointments or if there is a pattern of cancellations, even 24 hours in advance, therapy may not be effective and I may decide to end therapy.
TELEHEALTH SESSIONS
Telehealth is the use of video and audio technologies to support services between providers and their clients when meeting in person is not available. It is Secure and Confidential. TheraNest does not allow for session video or audio to be recorded.
You will need:
A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and internet access. There is no app to download. A private space to talk.
To provide me with written consent beforehand. I must have consent documented before we can proceed.
What to expect:
Click on the link in your email or text reminder and you will enter the waiting room until I arrive. Once I am available, you will see a “Join Session” button at bottom of screen to click on.
Helpful tips:
Telehealth is best with a laptop or desktop, it does not work well on a phone. With Desktop or Laptop use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Safari
With a tablet, iPad or smart phone use Google Chrome with Android and Safari with IOS. If you're only choice is using a phone, it's helpful to have it connected to wi-fi when we talk to assist connection speed and quality. Keep in mind that public and unprotected wi-fi offers less security, so please use only secure wi-fi to protect your information. Any room where a door can close is ideal. Headphones can help to increase a sense of privacy when people are unavoidably nearby in other rooms, but this isn't necessary.
BACKUP: If my Theranest telehealth platform Is not working or we have significant technological problems, we will use the back up of Doxy.me which is also HIPAA secure. If that occurs, I will inform you to go to this backup platform. It is pretty similar to my client portal and my waiting room via Doxy.me. Just put the following link in browser: https://doxy.me/drmorse
COMMITMENT TO TREATMENT
If we both agree that I am a good fit for your needs, please commit to a minimum of four sessions. If at that time, therapy does not feel helpful, I welcome feedback on needed changes to my approach. You can also ask for referrals to a different therapist whom would be a better fit. Most important is that you get the help you need!
CONTACTING ME
Due to my work schedule, I am often not immediately available by telephone, email or text.
Phone: I make every effort to return calls promptly. When I am unavailable, my telephone is answered by confidential voice mail that I monitor frequently during business hours Monday - Thursday. When you leave a message, please indicate if your need is urgent. I will make every effort to return your call on the same or by the next business day. However, I am not available to return calls on weekends, non-office hours and holidays, or when I have informed you that I am out of the office. Please see crisis resources on my Resources Page for immediate needs.
Electronic Communication: You should be aware that I cannot ensure the confidentiality of email and text as they are both not secure avenues of communication. If you would like to communicate via email for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, I will do so if you provide your permission. Please do not use these methods of communication to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies.