Confidentiality

All information shared in session will remain confidential, meaning that only I (Mary Worden) and my clinical supervisor (Mandy Fair) will have access to this information. The exceptions to this rule are in the case of child, elderly, or disabled abuse. In these circumstances, I would be required to report to the appropriate authorities.

In order to protect your confidentiality, I will not approach clients outside of therapy. This means that if we see each other while in public, I will not approach you first.

Cancellation and No-Show Policy

If you need to cancel a session please do so at least 24 hours before the next scheduled appointment. Failure to cancel without a 24 hour notice will result in being charged a $50 dollar cancellation fee.

Any no-show will also result in being charged the usual session fee. If you show up more than 15 minutes late for your scheduled therapy appointment, I will consider that a no-show as therapy cannot be conducted effectively in under 35 minutes.

Supervision

As an LMFT- Associate, I am required to meet weekly with an LMFT-Supervisor. My supervisor is Mandy Fair, LMFT-S. I will meet with her to discuss cases, continue my growth as a therapist, and ensure I am providing quality care. If you ever have any reason to contact her, her contact information can be found here.

Crisis

I am not a crisis care hotline nor a crisis care provider. If you are in a state of crisis (ie. suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, self harm, abuse, etc) please use appropriate crisis care. Lists of appropriate providers and hotlines can be found here.

Social Media Policy

In order to maintain professional boundaries and a good therapeutic relationship, I will not accept any follow requests from clients on any form of social media.

Collaborating with Other Providers

If you or your family are receiving treatment from other providers, there may be times when collaboration would be helpful or needed. If so, please use your client portal to fill out a Release of Information.

For the safety of client records and confidentiality, both I and the other provider will need a Release of Information in order to discuss your case.

Secrets Policy

In most circumstances, I operate under a “no secrets policy.” My client is the relationship, and therefore, my keeping secrets on behalf of one partner can be detrimental to the therapeutic relationship. If something is shared with me that is not yet known to the other person in the client family/couple, I will likely work to prepare and empower the clients for their disclosure of the secret. Exceptions to this policy would be if I felt that doing so would risk the safety of a client.

Telehealth Expectations

Telehealth sessions will be held to the same expectation as in-person sessions. Therefore, all the previously stated policies will apply to telehealth cases. If there is a problem sustaining wifi connection, please discuss this with me and we may reconsider using tele-services.

Access to Records & Documentation

Clients have the right to request and receive copies of their records, including notes and documentation maintained in their file. For individual clients, this means you may access your personal file at any time in accordance with applicable laws and ethical guidelines.

For couples and family services, a single shared file is created for the relationship or family system as a whole. Because this file contains information contributed by all participants, access is treated as a joint right. Any request for records from a couple or family file must be agreed upon by all adults involved before documentation can be released. This approach protects the privacy and autonomy of each person while honoring the shared nature of the work.

If you have questions about accessing your records or how documentation is handled, you’re always welcome to ask for clarification.

Fees for Documentation, Records Preparation, and Court‑Related Requests

Requests for documentation beyond standard treatment records—such as assembling notes, preparing summaries, completing forms, or organizing materials for legal, court, or third‑party purposes—are billed at $100 per hour, calculated in 15‑minute increments. This fee reflects the time required to review records, ensure accuracy, and prepare materials in a manner consistent with ethical and professional standards.

Court‑related requests often require additional coordination, communication, and administrative work. These tasks are billed at the same hourly rate unless otherwise specified in a separate court‑related agreement.

If you have questions about what type of documentation you need or how fees apply, you’re welcome to reach out for clarification.

Court Attendance & Related Fees

Participation in any legal or court‑related proceedings is billed at $300 per hour, including travel time, waiting time, testimony, and any required preparation immediately connected to the appearance. Because I practice under supervision, my supervisor is also required to attend any court proceedings involving my work. Her fees are billed separately and are in addition to my own rate.

Court involvement often requires significant time away from client care, and these fees ensure that the time, preparation, and professional responsibilities associated with legal proceedings are appropriately covered.

If you anticipate needing documentation or court participation, please discuss this with me in advance so we can plan accordingly.