What to Expect from Counseling 

Counseling and therapy can be greatly beneficial to many people, and every person’s experience in counseling is different. Many clients have benefitted from therapy sessions and have achieved their mental health goals and overall improved life satisfaction. However, because therapy looks different for everyone, I cannot guarantee my approach or our work together will benefit you or be a good fit. Additionally, beginning therapy can bring up difficult or distressing emotions before relief is found, and a lot of what is discussed in therapy might be uncomfortable or challenging. You always have the right to shift the focus of our work or pause or end sessions, as your autonomy is central in our work together. 

 

The therapy process begins with an intake session, where I gather information, we establish treatment goals, review policies and procedures and other information outlined in this informed consent document. If we both agree this will be a good fit, we will establish a plan for treatment, including overall treatment goals, and session frequency. When you achieve treatment goals and feel supported and well resourced, we will revisit and revise treatment goals or consider a plan for transitioning out of regular therapy sessions with an option to return in the future if desired. 

 

I request that you be physically located in the state of Washington for our sessions due to the scope of my license, and find a secure, safe, and private location to ensure comfort and confidentiality for our session time. Please let me know if you are in a different location than your home address for a session. Please avoid operating your vehicle while attending sessions (you may take sessions in a vehicle, as long as you are parked in a safe location). 

 

My Qualifications and Approach 

I have an active Clinical Mental Health Counselor License in the State of Washington and obtained my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University, Seattle. I am also a National Board Certified Counselor with the NBCC. I have been working and/or training in the mental health field since 2016, with experience in community mental health, college campus settings, group facilitation, telehealth and in-person individual counseling. 

 

I use a blend of existential and humanistic theories, utilize somatic/mindfulness-based interventions and DBT, ACT, and CBT. As we work together, I may utilize other evidence-based interventions and models where clinically appropriate. Overall, therapy is collaborative process and works best when clients integrate the work, insight, and growth with practice/engagement outside of session. 

 

Communication 

You may contact me through the secure Headway messaging system or by using the Spruce app messaging system to ensure best privacy protection. You may also email me at andie@bindontherapy.com or call/text my practice phone line at 425-541-1105, but there is more privacy risks associated with these forms of contact. I recommend sending a secure message regarding more personal info (such as upcoming session topics.) and using email or phone regarding scheduling purposes. 

 

Please know that I do not monitor these forms of communication outside of my business hours, or during time off/vacations. Thus, if you are experiencing an active crisis, please reach out to a peer-led warm line, crisis line, or call 9-11. 

 

Here are some resources for crisis or urgent support: 

• Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860

• Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: 888-407-4515

• StrongHearts Native Helpline: 844-762-8483

• Call Blackline: 1(800) 604-5841 

• LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text x988

• 911 for urgent emergencies 

 

Confidentiality and Legal

The details and topics of what we discuss in our sessions is protected by HIPAA. There are a few exceptions to this. Because I am a mandated reporter as a mental health counselor, I am required to break confidentiality when the safety of yourself or others is imminently at risk, or if there is reason to believe a vulnerable population is at risk of harm or neglect (such as vulnerable adults or minors). I also believe in client autonomy, so I will do my best to involve you in this process if it ever arises and do my best to take steps with you before reaching this point to avoid it whenever possible. 

 

If I ever see you outside of the therapeutic space, because our relationship is confidential in nature I am unable to acknowledge that I know you. It is up to you if/how you’d like to engage with me in-person. This extends to social media and internet use- I am unable to respond to direct messages, comments or friend requests from past or present clients. 

 

Another potential limitation to confidentiality is if files are subpoenaed in legal proceedings. Please note I am required to document the content of our sessions, and I include clinically relevant information while protecting your privacy as much as possible. Additionally, I do not become involved in legal proceedings, court evaluations, etc. If you are attending therapy due to mandated counseling, please notify me ahead of our first session. 

 

Additionally, I engage in consultation with colleagues in order to support my work and provide the best support to my clients. However, any information that may be shared in these spaces will be done so without disclosing personal information or protected health information. 

 

Implications of Diagnosis

In order to bill insurance companies, I am required to diagnose you with a mental health diagnosis within my scope. Diagnosis can mean different things to different people, and I will always aim to assign the least pathologizing (but still accurate) diagnosis that captures your experience unless we agree a different diagnosis is a better fit. Diagnosis can bring clarity, access to resources and accommodations, and allow for stronger coordination of care between providers. However, diagnosis can come with stigma, and often does not perfectly capture an individual’s nuanced experience. Diagnosis is not required if you plan to self-pay. 

 

Fees and Cancelation Policies 

My private pay fee is $150 for a 50 minute individual session. If you are using insurance your copay and fee will be based on your individual insurance plan, which you can find by calling your insurance directly. My late cancelation fee is $100 and is not covered by insurance. 

 

A session is considered a late cancelation if you notify me with less than 24 hours of a session start time or are unable to arrive before 10 minutes into our session start time. If our session is too short, it is no longer considered a full session and is considered less therapeutic by insurance company standards (and is much less likely to be covered). If you are later than 10 minutes without notifying me, our session is considered a no-show and a late cancelation fee ($100) will be applied. 

 

In the future, my rates may be adjusted based on cost of living, growing experience over time, and based on market rates for counseling/therapy fees. I will notify you at least two months in advance if a rate adjustment occurs. 

 

Scope of Practice 

Please know that I am licensed in the State of Washington, and any clients I see must physically be located in Washington State during our telehealth sessions. Additionally, if a presenting issue, diagnosis or need is outside of my scope of practice or experience, I will provide a referral to ensure you receive the best care and support. 

 

Rights as a Client 

Your counseling and medical records will be stored using Headway’s secure system, which is protected with multiple security measures. It is within your right to choose to request your medical records, for any reason. It is your right to refuse services or interventions, clarify the therapeutic process and goals, request referral to another therapist, terminate or pause therapy at any time, and to file a complaint with the Department of Health in WA if desired. My license information can be found on my website. 

 

 

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Your signature on this document verifies you have read, understand and agree to the terms, conditions, and information shared in this document. Your signature also signifies you consent to entering treatment with Andelyn (Andie) Bindon, including assessment, interventions, treatment procedures, and referrals if needed. Please reach out if you have questions at any time.