• In-Person Sessions during Covid-19:  I am making every effort to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19.  ​

  • If you have any symptoms please let me know so we can reschedule or move to an online session. I too will reschedule if I have any  symptoms.

  • Hand sanitizer will be provided for your use. Your temperature will also be taken.

  • Because of COVID-19, my kitchen is no longer open to clients. I would ask you to bring your own water, coffee/tea.

  • My waiting area is no-longer operational, and you are asked not to arrive any earlier than 5 minutes before your appointment time. I will meet you at the entrance door. If you arrive early, you will be required to wait outside of the building.

• Sessions: The standard length of a session is 60 minutes, and may be longer when mutually agreed upon before the beginning of a session. Future scheduling occurs at the end of a session, by phone or email.

• Social Media and Communication: Please feel free to “like / follow” Stella Bird BFA MACP RP on Facebook if you choose: www.facebook.com/StellaBirdProfessionalPsychotherapy where posted content/resources may be of particular interest to you. Be aware that doing so is public. Please also be aware that Stella Bird BFA MACP RP does not accept contact requests nor invitations to follow pages from current or former clients on any social networking site. Stella Bird BFA MACP RP does not communicate through SMS (mobile phone text messaging) or messaging on Social Networking sites. The most secure way to contact Stella Bird BFA MACP RP is by phone. Communication is also possible via email only for the purposes of scheduling, billing and on occasion to send other documents with your consent. You have the right to decline use of email to communicate. If you choose to communicate via email, please take appropriate measures to protect your information. These policies help to protect confidentiality. All phone/email communications must also be documented and archived in a client’s file.

• Payment for Services: Payment for services is due at the end of each completed session. Current accepted payment methods include: cash, cheques and e-transfer. A receipt will be provided when payment is received either via email or printed out at the next session. Please retain this receipt for your records if applicable. If there is an issue that interferes with a payment please discuss this prior to payment. If you intend to submit receipts to your benefits/insurance provider for reimbursement it is advisable that you seek their terms of service in advance of scheduling the first appointment. Fee For Service: $135.00 per session.

  • Additional fees vary according to the nature of the service involved. Fees apply for any reports, letters, etc., which you request to be prepared and sent on your behalf in addition to all costs associated with legal proceedings. The standard session rate will apply in these circumstances. Payments returned due to insufficient funds will incur a fee of $45.00 in addition to the initial session rate charged. Payments received in full at the end of the session confirm your next scheduled appointment. If payment has not been received within 48 hours an invoice will be issued and the next appointment will need to be rescheduled following receipt of payment.

• Cancellations/Missed Sessions/Late Arrivals. In the event Stella Bird BFA MACP RP needs to cancel a session there will be no charge and your session will be rescheduled ASAP. If you need to cancel a session, please provide 24 hours’ notice and there will be no charge; a same-day cancellation or missed session ("no-show") is charged the full session fee payable prior to scheduling the next session. If payment has not been received within 48 hours an invoice will be issued and the next appointment will need to be rescheduled following receipt of payment. Stella Bird BFA MACP RP will wait 15 minutes for a late arrival, after this time the session will be considered a missed session and you will need to reschedule.

• Confidentiality: As a Registered Psychotherapist, Stella Bird BFA MACP RP complies with the Standard of Confidentiality set out by the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) https://www.crpo.ca/standard-3-1-confidentiality/

• Services for Minor Clients: Stella Bird BFA MACP RP  is committed to providing Minor Clients with a place that they deem safe to be able to speak about any apprehensions, concerns, or issues without fear of unintended repercussions.

  • Stella Bird BFA MACP RP maintains Minor Clients' confidentiality at all times. In compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/04p03, Stella Bird BFA MACP RP must ensure that the professional relationship with the client and the client’s personal information are kept confidential, within legal limitations in accordance with the Child and Family Services Act (R.S.O., 1990, c. C.11, s. 28 https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/17c14#BK30 ).

  • There is no minimum age for consent to psychotherapy. An individual’s capacity may also vary over time. As a Minor Client ages, capacity to consent evolves. Stella Bird BFA MACP RP is required to assess and determine each Minor Client's ability to provide consent to psychotherapeutic services.

  • Where applicable, Stella Bird BFA MACP RP is required to obtain documentation of any current custody and access order.

  • Stella Bird BFA MACP RP does not serve as an expert or forensic witness nor release files for use in family court proceedings. Please consult this article in consideration of this boundary: CHILD PSYCHIATRY AND LAW The Therapist’s Role in Child Custody Disputes WILLIAM BERNET, M.D

• Discontinuing Services: It is Stella Bird BFA MACP RP’s professional obligation to act in the best interests of clients at all times, including when discontinuing services. Once Stella Bird BFA MACP RP begins working with a client, the relationship can continue as long as the client is benefiting from therapy and/or wishes to continue receiving services. 

Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) do not unilaterally discontinue services to clients without good reason. There are several legitimate reasons for discontinuing services to clients, including:

• The RP lacks the necessary competence to continue working with a client;

• The RP believes the client will not benefit from continued therapy;

• The RP would be at risk of serious harm if s/he were to continue working with the client;

• The client threatens or assaults the RP;

• The RP is closing his/her practice;

• When by prior agreement a fixed number of sessions is to be provided; and

• When the client has not met his/her obligation to pay fees as agreed;

In all cases, the RP makes reasonable efforts to inform the client of the reason for discontinuing services, and refers the client to another service provider, as appropriate. The RP also documents the reason for discontinuing services. 

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