Rates
will be agreed upon during your first therapy session and sliding fee
services are available. Payment is due
at each session via cash, check or PayPal (below).
To make a payment with your credit or debit card (plus PayPal fee) prior to our session, just click 'Pay Pal' button. You'll be taken to PayPal's Website, where you can complete the payment to me safely and securely.
*Disclaimer: Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when using a third
party source for payment.
POLICIES
1st session 50% off for new clients -or- you may choose a free 30-minute consultation to assist you in making your decision to begin counseling. I want to make sure that this is a fit for you, as well as for me. We can discuss what you are hoping to achieve and how therapy can aid the process, payment options, scheduling, etc.
Payment All session fees are due at time of service. Cash or checks should be made out to: Laura Barbeau.
Insurance
I am now accepting some insurances through Psychotherapy & Healing Associates. If you would like to see me as your counselor please follow this link to submit the insurance information requested. We will call your insurance company to check your policy &/or seek treatment authorization.
http://mntherapyassociates.com/?page_id=16
If you are not using insurance and seeing me as fee-for-service provider your payment may be reimbursed through Out-of-Network benefits, a Medical Flex Spending account or a Health Savings Vehicle. (Please check with your insurance company to verify reimbursement requirements.)
Payment is due at the time of service. All charges incurred are the responsibility of the client.
Cancellation Policy If you do not show up for your scheduled appointment, and you have not notified me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the treatment as booked.
Confidentiality & Privacy Policy The law and the AAMFT ethical code protects the privacy of the relationship between a client and a counselor. Your information cannot be disclosed without your written permission except under specific situations. Those exceptions include:
Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
Things to consider when using Insurance?
Insurance benefits have become increasingly more complex. It is sometimes difficult to determine exactly how much mental health coverage is available. "Managed Health Care" plans such as HMO's and PPO's often require authorization before they provide reimbursement for mental health services.
When insurance is used for counseling, the treatment has to be considered "medically necessary." This means your counselor must give you a psychiatric diagnosis. This goes on your health record and could have repercussions for you later on. Once you have begun counseling, your counseling sessions must be "justified" (you must be "sick" enough) in order for insurance to continue to pay for your sessions.
Many people who seek therapy are not mentally ill and should not have a diagnosis. They are simply struggling with issues common in many relationships. Many insurance companies do not cover relational, family or marital work.
Your confidentiality can not be ensured when using insurance. Several people receive and review your records. Information is often transmitted through the internet. We will make every effort to release the minimum information possible to protect your privacy.
