|
What is your policy with regard to cancellations and
missed sessions?
We
understand that circumstances arise from time to time
that require cancellations and rescheduling of sessions.
We will
work with you to find alternate times and options for
scheduled sessions that you are unable to attend.
We request that you
give at least 24 hours notice prior to a cancellation,
so that the time may be allotted to another patient
in need. If such notice
is not given prior to a missed session, it is our general
policy to charge the usual fee for that missed
session. Insurance carriers
generally will not reimburse for missed appointment charges.
What
insurance plans do you accept?
Each of us has different relationships with insurance
providers. Please contact the physician you wish to
meet with and
inquire directly as to that physician’s policies with regard to
insurance coverage and billing. What
are your policies regarding confidentiality?
In general, information divulged in a psychiatric
session is kept strictly confidential. Your consent
will be obtained
before sharing or discussing any information with outside
providers of care or family members. There are some
limitations to this
rule, specifically with regard to situations that may
arise where your physician feels there is a direct
threat of physical harm
involved. What
forms of payment do you accept?
We accept payments in the form of cash and personal
checks. At this time, we do not accept credit or
debit cards. Are
you available for consultation by phone
in between sessions?
Yes.
We generally attempt to respond to all
questions left on voice mail in a timely fashion.
If there are urgent concerns
or difficulties you are struggling with, we would generally
prefer to hear about such difficulties
sooner rather than later. If
the phone conversation is brief, such as scheduling
a session or managing a medication
refill, there are no charges for such
services. However, if a phone discussion involves extended
contact and clinical decision making,
such calls are charged at the usual
session rates. Do
you work in “split-treatment” with psychotherapists
in the community?
We
generally feel that the combination of psychotherapy
and pharmacotherapy provided by one trained individual
is superior to split treatment. However, we do
work with certain therapists and psychologists
with whom we are able to maintain
close communication and effective working relationships.
What
is your policy with regard to email communications?
While email can be an effective tool for communication,
there are some problems with its use as a part of ongoing
psychiatric treatment. The inability to ensure complete
confidentiality in such communications is a key area
of concern. For this reason and others, we generally
prefer to communicate in person or by phone when consultation
is indicated. As noted above, we will make every effort
to respond to phone messages in a timely fashion. Do
you offer couples or marital therapy?
Dr. Browning and Dr. Parks both have experience
and training in the specific area of marital
therapy. Such therapy is typically
conducted in weekly sessions, and every effort is made
to offer meeting times that are manageable
for both members of the couple.
Some evening hours are occasionally available. Contact
Dr. Charles Browning or Dr. Jeff Parks directly
to discuss other questions
regarding couples or marital therapy.
| 
