We provide child, adolescent and adult psychiatric services to patients who are likely to benefit from the level of care available in a typical outpatient setting.
Patient Policies
The things you need to know, but never thought of asking.
Emergency psychiatric coverage for active patients is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. In the event of an emergency, call the office’s main number (203-820-3224). A recording will provide you with instructions how to leave a message or page the doctor. If you page the doctor with a call back number, your call will be returned within 60 minutes. A voicemail message will be returned by the end of the day. Provisions will be made for all emergency appointments to happen within 3 days of the phone call. Non-emergency calls will be billed at the prorated hourly rate for provided treatment. What constitutes an emergency is decided by the doctor.
If you need immediate medical attention or have a life threatening emergency, call 911.
Payment for services is due at the time of service. The office accepts payments in check, cash and all major credit cards. If a check is returned due to insufficient funds, you will be charged an additional fee of $35. Unless arrangements are made for a payment plan, all accounts that are outstanding for more than 90 days will be sent to our collections agency.
If an appointment is cancelled with 24 hours notice, there will be no charge. A first-time cancellation within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment will result in a $25 charge. A second cancellation within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment will be charged half of the usual visit fee. A third and every next cancellation within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment will be charged a full session fee.
No shows without cancellation will be charged full session fee. Repeated no show will result in automatic treatment termination.
Exceptions will be dealt with on a case by case basis and are at the discretion of the doctor.
The contents of a psychotherapy, intake, or assessment and consultation session are considered to be confidential. Both verbal information and written records about a client cannot be shared with another party without the written consent of the client or the client’s legal guardian. It is the policy of this practice not to release any information about a client without a signed release of information. Noted exceptions are as follows:
Duty to Warn and Protect: When a client discloses intentions or a plan to harm another person, the health care professional is required to warn the intended victim and report this information to legal authorities. In cases in which the client discloses or implies a plan for suicide, the health care professional is required to notify the legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify the family of the client.
Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults: If a client states or suggests that he or she is abusing a child (or vulnerable adult), or a child (or vulnerable adult) is in danger of abuse, the health care professional is required to report this information to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities.
Court Orders: Health care professionals are required to release records of clients when a court order has been placed.
Minors/Guardianship: Parents or legal guardians of nonemancipated minor clients have the right to access the clients’ records.
In the Event of a Client’s Death the spouse or parents of a deceased client have a right to access their child’s or spouse’s records.
Professional Misconduct: Professional misconduct by a health care professional must be reported by other health care professionals. In cases in which a professional or legal disciplinary meeting is being held regarding the health care professionals’ actions, related records may be released in order to substantiate disciplinary action.
Other Provisions: When fees for services are not paid in a timely manner, collection agencies may be utilized in collecting unpaid debts. The specific content of the services (e.g. diagnosis, treatment plan, case notes, testing) is not disclosed. If a debt remains unpaid it may be reported to credit agencies, and the client’s credit report may state the amount owed, time frame, and the name of the practice. Insurance companies and other third party payers are given information that they request regarding services to clients. Information which may be requested includes type of services, dates/times of services, diagnosis, treatment plan, description of impairment, progress of therapy, case notes, and summaries. Information about clients may be disclosed in consultations with other professionals in order to provide the best possible treatment. In such cases the name of the client, or any identifying information, is not disclosed. Clinical information about the client is discussed.