DEFINITION & LIMITATIONS
What is the difference between a regular therapy session and a non-therapeutic consultation? During a regular mental health therapy session, you are creating a client-therapist relationship bound by strict health and guidance policies. A non-therapeutic consultation is a service provided by a licensed health professional to offer space for a brief wellness check but does not create a therapeutic relationship with the Participant(s) receiving that service.
During a non-therapeutic consultation, the therapist and you, the Participant of this agreement, are NOT creating a client-therapist relationship. As such, the therapist cannot not make promises, expectations, or guarantees of confidentiality, mental health treatment, or crisis services.
Similar limitations apply to a Participant who joins another person’s therapy session as a limited-time guest. Your participation as a guest does not create a client-therapist relationship with the provider.
ACCESSING YOUR CONSULTATION
By agreeing to utilize the office hour check-in (whether individually or as a team), you have agreed to receive email notifications through our secure platform regarding the appointment you have booked. This can include an emailed invitation to join the Google Meets platform if joining a virtual check-in OR an invitation to join the in-person session in the physical office. To ensure that you do not miss the appointment, we recommend that you “accept” the invitation and add it to your digital calendar.
While it is possible to join a session by smartphone, we recommend that Participants utilize a desktop computer using Chrome or Firefox to access the secure meeting link. If you do decide to join by smartphone, it may be necessary to log into your Google account, and you will need to download the free Google Meets app.
When you connect for our consultation, the browser has a popup message that asks you to allow access to your camera and microphone. Please hit the “allow” button.
If you have questions or problems accessing the appointment, reach out to your provider directly using the contact information that was in the email sent to you.
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
By signing this document, I acknowledge and agree:
That I have read and understood the foregoing.
That my participation in any session does NOT create a therapist-client relationship unless and until I enter into a separate agreement explicitly creating such a relationship.
That a ‘non-therapeutic consultation’ is NOT a mental health service and therefore is not likely covered under a health insurance plan.
That a ‘non-therapeutic consultation’ or a guest participation in another person’s therapy session is NOT an Emergency Service and in the event of an emergency, I will use a phone to call 911.
