May 15, 2022

Hello! Spring has sprung and it's time (actually past-time) to think about Summer!

• Summer Schedule - Let me know your plans as soon as possible!

  • • • • Beginning Monday, June 13, I'm offering appointments during the following windows.

          • • • Tuesdays 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

              • Wednesdays 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

              • Thursdays 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM-

              • Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays - By individual appointment. Eventually, these days will be strictly for part-time / as-needed / as-available appointments

        • Because I'm partially retiring from seeing clients full-time, this availability may become the norm - although I anticipate this may take a year or two. Those currently scheduled on Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are welcome to keep their regular slots - but there will be less consistency with meeting regularly. Thank You! in advance for allowing me to kind of feel my way into partial-retirement and what works best for both of us!

        • Please send me huge blocks of availability via text or email to make sure you have a summer appointment reserved. Of course, if the above doesn't work we'll figure something out - potentially having you keep your current appointment time if needed.

• Cancellation Policy Review

  • • • • I want to be as flexible as possible with cancellations. Things come up, and I understand that sometimes "life happens". I'm proud that I've been able to stick with clients, offering reduced and in some cases, pro bono sessions, when financial challenges arise. I've never used collection agencies or charged interest or required clients to pay for missed sessions. I ask, however, that we keep communication open regarding finances and account balances. Heading into partial retirement means I will be relying on regular income from clients - significantly more than I've had to in the past. 

        • In the professional disclosure statement you each signed, is a cancellation policy that is required by The State. For many of you, it's been some time and the Intake Forms and Professional Disclosure Statement has been modified. In the next few months, I am likely to start requiring new paperwork annually. This seems to be standard practice in healthcare at this time. Anyway... If you have to cancel... Please consider the following:

          • • • • I have many clients who agree to pay for missed appointments. I greatly appreciate this!

                • Please NEVER let lack of financial resources keep you from working with me. We can figure something out together. The important thing is that we both agree to the solution. That way we remain on the same page as we work together. This level of trust is extremely important to the counseling relationship.

                • Give at least 24 hours notice. I am often able to fill your slot and avoid losing income for that block of time.

                • Don't just cancel - Ask for an alternate meeting time. Flexibility is important and completing a session is important to continued care, and the bottom line of my business.

                • Please understand that when you cancel an appointment, send a text, make a phone call, etc. All of this should be noted on your file and this takes time. 

• Payment

  • • • • Thank you to those of you paying in cash. 5% kickback and much easier on the deposits and bookkeeping for me!

• Text Upon Arrival

  • • • • To help with client privacy, Covid protocols, and uninterrupted appointments... please continue to text upon arrival and wait for a text to come into the office.

Thank you to each of you!

jt

END MAY 15, 2022 LETTER

Previously Released Letters Follow...

January 1, 2022

Happy Holidays!

• Text Upon Arrival | Covid

  • • • • To help with client privacy, Covid protocols, and uninterrupted appointments... please continue to text upon arrival and wait for a text to come into the studio or office.

        • While clients are not required to wear masks, I am happy to wear a mask upon request. I have received the third vaccination (2nd booster).

• Pay Cash - Get 5% Credit

  • • • • Clients paying in cash will receive a 5% credit toward their next bill. Upon receipt, I will text you the amount paid.

        • I am still accepting Health Savings Account Credit Cards and Flex Spending Account Credit Cards for "medically necessary" appointments. However, those using standard credit cards (Non-HSA / Non-FSA), please consider using the cash option as credit cards are becoming expensive to process.

• Part-Time Clients - Important Change

  • • • • "Every Other Week" Clients will now be considered "Part-Time Clients".

        • "A Week" and "B Week" will no longer be available or utilized.

        • Reason: I am questioning the efficacy of therapy when an "A-Week" or a "B-Week" appointment is missed by a client, or by me - resulting in a one-month gap between appointments. Furthermore, because I am currently turning away clients due to a full schedule, I need to prioritize weekly clients as "Part-Time Clients" are more in the Maintenance Phase of their therapy.

• Client Initiated Cancellations

  • • • • You know those signs at Doctor's Offices that read something like: You will be charged for missed appointments? This is really a non-enforceable statement with respect to billing insurance companies. However, missed appointments continue to have a significant impact on a Health Practice's bottom-line; and since I'm also the office manager and the CFO, I'd like to make some suggestions.

        • I will be retiring from my 30 year career as a professional educator mid-June. This means that while I've had some flexibility with missed appointments not being paid, it will be increasingly important that I maintain a healthy bottom-line in my small business. So... Here are some suggestions:

          • • Don't just cancel... Reschedule. I am very flexible and this way we maintain the efficacy of the services I provide as well as the efficacy of my small business.

            • If you are in a financial position to pay for missed appointments, like many of you already do, please know I greatly appreciate this!

            • Please understand that I offer professional services, of which only a portion of payments go toward my living expenses. Overhead for a small business is pretty constant, regardless of cash flow. I still have to pay advertising to Psychology Today and Google, Malpractice and Home Business Insurance, Business Licensing and Professional Licensing Fees, Professional Consultations, and my favorite: I get to pay twice as much in Social Security taxes since I'm both the business owner and the employee.

            • All that said, please continue to know that I work with my clients, offer sliding scales when needed, and am more than happy to work with you to provide the care you need - even if you're experiencing financial difficulty.

Thank you for reading! Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to text, email, or call.

Happy New Year!

jt

END JANUARY 1, 2022 LETTER

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August 2, 2021

Hard to believe August is here!

• Shadow's training is going very well! He's now able to stay in his room and not protest (howl!!!!) too much! As a reminder, please use the following three commands when interacting with Shadow, as consistency will have a big impact on his training.

  • • • • "UH-Uhh!" - Used whenever four paws are not on the ground - especially with people - but with furniture, too.

        • "LEAVE IT!" - Used whenever something other than "Lions" (Dog Toys) go into the mouth - including clothing, furniture, the other two dogs!

        • "OUCH!" (Followed by ignoring or walking away if you can) - Used when "mouthing" (gentle bites) get a little too uncomfortable. If you're not into puppy slobber, just do not engage Shadow. I want him to be able to read people well.

• Thank you for continuing to park in the driveway or out front on my side of the street.

• Thank you for continuing to turn around in my driveway. Avoid turning around in neighbor's driveways.

That should be it! Email or text with any questions!

Thanks

jt

END AUGUST 2, 2021 LETTER

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June 6, 2021

Below are several announcements and reminders for clients. Please ask questions as needed, otherwise hope this all makes sense!

As always... I value my clients and never want suggestions, policies, or rates to be "deal breakers".

Please talk to me and we'll work something out if anything is of concern.

Here we go!

• This week (beginning June 7) will find clients attending their regularly scheduled appointments. The following week (beginning June 14) I'm hoping to condense my schedule to the following...

  • • • • Tuesdays 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

        • Wednesdays 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

        • Thursdays 9:00 to 2:00 PM

• PLEASE send me huge blocks of availability via text or email to make sure you have a summer appointment reserved. Of course, if the above doesn't work we'll figure something out - potentially having you keep your current appointment time if needed. Saturday mornings are still available, but will be hit and miss. Due to vacations, camps, etc.... my usual cancellation policy goes away from mid-June through August - except in cases of no-shows.

• The appointment time you have right now, before summer, has already been reserved for you in September. We can change appointment times if needed in September, but that will be subject to availability.

• At the end of June, Shadow arrives. Shadow is a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy and it is my hope to train him as a therapy dog for visits to schools and hospitals. Client appointments this summer will be spaced about 20 minutes apart for house-training and getting Shadow in the backyard. I'm hopeful that Shadow will quickly get used to his crate ("den") while I meet with clients - and will quickly learn the rules of play so he's not jumping up on people and not puppy-biting.

• Mask Policy - I've been fully vaccinated and will no longer be wearing a mask while with clients. However... upon your request, I will gladly wear a mask.

• Turn-Arounds - I have awesome neighbors and we all really like each other! I know this sounds minor, and I haven't had any neighbors complain, but please avoid turning around in my neighbors' driveways. Driving around the block works great even though it takes an extra minute - and please feel free to turn around in my driveway.

• Parking - Please park in the driveway or on the street in front of the house - on my side of the road.

Thanks!

jt

END JUNE 6, 2021 LETTER

No Previously Released Letters Beyond This Point.