Your investment…

Psychotherapy, consultation or coaching is a significant investment in time and money. I understand this and it’s a true honor to accompany you on your journey of growth and healing. My fees reflect my experience and skill level in my role as your mental health guide, including extensive training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR and Sandplay Therapy for adult clients from all walks of life who are experiencing trauma, grief and loss, depression and anxiety. As you consider this very valueable investment in supporting yourself through evidence-based psychotherapy, the following is some information you may find helpful.

Is this kind of therapy right for me?


Finding an evidence-based, trauma and somatically informed therapist is key to healing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, grief and loss, and attachment issues. In our IFS work together, I will guide you in understanding the parts of you that are getting stuck and finding your inner wisdom to bring your inner system healing. IFS is a powerful change agent because it not only helps you to feel more inner peace, calmness, natural curiosity and confidence, courage, clarity, connection, creativity, and compassion, but when you feel more centered and grounded in your essence or Self, the impact reaches the external systems that you’re a part of as well. EMDR compliments IFS by deepening the changes that happen in the neural networks of the brain when we offer your pain and suffering non-judgmental curiosity, love, and compassion. Jungian Sandplay or Sandtray Therapy brings further clarity to the IFS process of healing. 

Fees

Sessions are $200 per 45-60 minute session.  Additional session or casework time (report writing, therapeutic contacts, etc) is prorated by 15 minute increments. 

Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC is not accepting insurance clients at this time. You may opt to receive a Superbill to submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement, as it pertains to your plan. Many clients use an HSA account to help with the financial investment of sessions. 

For out of network coverage, a statement may be requested on a monthly or yearly basis to submit for reimbursement, as it applies to your personal out of network insurance benefits. Statements for reimbursement may be requested up to 90 days after termination of services.

Disclosure for Psychotherapy

Susan Smith Counseling Services, LPC, PLLC

8089 S Lincoln St, Ste 203

Littleton, CO 80122

720.432.1403

MA of Counseling, Denver Seminary; BA of Psychology, Taylor University; Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC)

The practice of licensed or registered persons in the field of psychotherapy is regulated by the Mental Health Licensing Section of the Division of Registrations. The Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners can be reached at 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver,Colorado 80202, (303) 894-7800.

As to the regulatory requirements applicable to mental health professionals:

  • Registered psychotherapist is a psychotherapist listed in the State’s database and is authorized by law to practice psychotherapy in Colorado but is not licensed by the state and is not required to satisfy any standardized educational or testing requirements to obtain a registration from the state.
  • Certified Addiction Counselor I (CAC I) must be a high school graduate, complete required training hours and 1,000 hours of supervised experience.
  • Certified Addiction Counselor II (CAC II) must complete additional required training hours and 2,000 hours of supervised experience.
  • Certified Addiction Counselor III (CAC III) must have a bachelors degree in behavioral health, complete additional required training hours and 2,000 hours of supervised experience.
  • Licensed Addiction Counselor must have a clinical masters degree and meet the CAC III requirements.
  • Licensed Social Worker must hold a masters degree in social work.
  • Psychologist Candidate, a Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate must hold the necessary licensing degree and be in the process of completing the required supervision for licensure.
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Licensed Professional Counselor must hold a masters degree in their profession and have two years of post-masters supervision.
  • A Licensed Psychologist must hold a doctorate degree in psychology and have one year of post-doctoral supervision.

You are entitled to receive information from your therapist about the methods of therapy, the techniques used, the duration of your therapy (if known), and the fee structure. You can seek a second opinion from another therapist or terminate therapy at any time.

Methods, techniques, length and duration of treatment, and fees: Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC encourages you to ask questions regarding your course of treatment at any time. Various evidence-based, trauma-informed modalities and techniques may be used, depending on the needs and goals of each client/family. Specifically, Internal Family Systems (IFS), SandPlay and EMDR Therapy may be used for adults, and Play Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, Infant Mental Health Therapy, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy may be used with children.

Duration of treatment and progress is unique to each client. There are many factors to a successful therapy process and therapeutic outcomes can’t be predicted. The following are some traits known to help with therapeutic success and resilience: showing up regularly for scheduled sessions (attending weekly sessions is recommended for optimal progress); the ability to tolerate difficult emotions and uncertainty; the ability to use or value others’ input; ability to practice mental flexibility; and the ability to acknowledge and embrace vulnerability.

Clients are scheduled on a first come first serve basis. When taking a break from therapy sessions, openings may be scheduled up to two weeks out to allow for typical vacations and holidays. If the client has not made contact with Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC within four weeks of the last point of contact, the case will be closed until the client makes contact again.

Payment: Session fees are $200 and due at the time of service. Each session is 45-60 minutes long, typically held weekly. Additional time will be pro-rated. Report writing or casework is rounded up and billed in 15 minute increments in addition to client session fees. Clients are ultimately responsible for payment, even when insurance is used. Clients are responsible to know their insurance plan (deductible, copay, etc).

Intensives: When desired, an Intensive may be requested. Half day (three hour) Intensives will include a 15 minute break to stretch legs, go to the bathroom, get snacks, etc. Six hour Intensives will include two breaks and an hour lunch. Fees for intensives range from $500-1,500 depending on the length and the date and time of the Intensive, and are due at the time of service.

*Credit Card: Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC requests that a valid credit card number be on file.  This is stored in IVY Pay, a HIPAA compliant credit card processing application, and will be deleted when you are finished with services.  Your balance will be charged to your card if you have not paid your balance at the time of service.

Insurance: When using an in-network insurance plan (Aetna) the following information must be provided to Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC and must be correct and verifiable at the time of service: Name of person primarily insured and DOB, Address (Street, City, State & Zip code), phone, email, ID, group ID. The intent to utilize in-network insurance must be discussed with Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC prior to the beginning of therapy.

Insurance: I give permission to Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC to communicate with my insurance and/or employee assistance program provider regarding treatment (i.e. when in-network insurance, or out-of-network Superbills are used for payment or reimbursement purposes.)

Cancellations: Sessions must be canceled at a minimum of 24 hours in advance (48 hours is appreciated), otherwise the client/family will be charged the full session fee ($200). Cancellations are not covered by insurance.

Weather policy: Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC reserves the right to determine business hours and will notify clients of office closure due to inclement weather. This is generally when schools and businesses in the area are closed. When open, the cancellation policy will take effect; but adult clients may attend their session remotely, if preferred. Please be prepared for winter weather and to come to your scheduled appointment.

Place of Service: Adult sessions may occur in-person in the office, or online/remotely. With rare exceptions, sessions for children younger than 13 will be held in-person only.

Communications: I would like Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC to use the email, text & voicemail I provide for communications, which may contain information related to treatment **Please note, email and text are generally not HIPAA compliant.

Emergencies: Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC is not available for emergency phone calls on a regular basis. If you are in crisis, you should call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.

Court: Please notify Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC immediately if you are involved with a court of law in any way and we will discuss it. If subpoenaed for court, you will be charged $500 per hour for preparation, court and travel time. Report writing regarding legal matters will also be charged. Time will be rounded to the hour and will be billed to the client. Therapist court time is not covered by insurance; even if you are covered by insurance for treatment. The client will be responsible for court time incurred.

Therapeutic relationship and confidentiality: In a professional relationship, sexual intimacy is never appropriate and should be reported to the board that licenses, registers, or certifies the licensee, registrant or certificate holder. Generally speaking, the information provided by and to the client during therapy sessions is legally confidential and cannot be released without the client’s consent. There are exceptions to this confidentiality, some of which are listed in section 12-43-218 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, as well as other exceptions in Colorado and Federal law. For example, mental health professionals are required to report to authorities a person in danger to him/herself or others, and suspected child abuse or neglect. If a legal exception arises during therapy, if feasible, you will be informed accordingly. The Mental Health Practice Act (CRS 12-43-101, et seq.) is available at: http://www.dora.state.co.us/mental- health/Statute.pdf. Supervision, consultation or training: At times, I may discuss case information with other qualified mental health or legal professionals, where identifying client information is not/will not be revealed (i.e. the client/family identity is protected).

Supervision, consultation or training: At times, Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC may discuss case information with other qualified mental health or legal professionals, where identifying client information will not be revealed (i.e. the client/family identity is protected).

Consent: I, client or guardian of client, have read the preceding information and affirm that the preceding information has been provided to me in writing by Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC, or if I am unable to read or have no written language, an oral explanation accompanied the written copy will be provided.

I understand my rights as a client or as the client’s responsible party.

I acknowledge that I am NOT a Medicaid patient.

I voluntarily consent to participate in mental health services with Susan Smith, MA, LPC of Susan Smith Counseling Services, PLLC.