Individual Counseling

Counseling is a confidential process. We adhere to strict professional standards of ethics and confidentiality. We are required by practice guidelines and standards of care to keep records of your counseling sessions. However, information can only be released with your permission and written consent unless mandated by law. You should be aware; however, that there are a few exceptions regarding confidentiality. For example, therapists are required to take appropriate action when a client is judged to be in imminent danger of harming oneself or threatens grave bodily harm to another person, and this action supersedes confidentiality. We must also report all incidents of child or elder abuse, whether it has already occurred or is likely to occur. Finally, under certain circumstances, confidentiality may be superseded by a court order. If you have any questions regarding confidentiality, bring them to the attention of your therapist.

Yes! Not only do we believe it can, there is a substantial amount of research to support the idea that counseling works. We understand that you may feel skeptical and uncertain. Perhaps you or someone you know has tried it before with no success. We encourage you to try it anyway. The greatest predictor of counseling effectiveness is the relationship formed between the client and therapist. Browse our staff pages and contact our intake coordinator for a free consultation to determine if someone on our staff would be a good fit to work with you. Counseling works when you find the right fit.

Due to the nature of their work and the complexity of their schedules, our counselors are often not immediately available by telephone. The Banyan Tree phone number (706-850-7041) is answered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. by our office manager and intake coordinators. During other times, it is answered by a confidential answering machine, and calls will be returned by our office manager during the times listed above. The answering machine is also monitored once or twice daily during weekends and holidays. Please speak clearly and give numbers slowly, since we may not have any way to look up your number. If you have an urgent need, please make this very clear in your message. However, since we do not carry pagers, there may be a delay in our receiving your call request. If you are unable to reach us and feel that you can't wait for a return call, please contact your family physician or the nearest emergency room or mental health crisis center. If your counselor will be unavailable for an extended time, we will provide you, via our outgoing message, with the name of a colleague to contact, if necessary.

Clients under 18 who are not emancipated and their parents should be aware that state laws impose legal obligations and responsibilities on therapists regarding confidentiality. Health care providers face challenges in maintaining confidentiality while ensuring effective treatment, especially when making decisions regarding confidentiality and treatment despite the absence of clear policies. Informed consent is crucial in the context of minors’ treatment, emphasizing the need for clear communication and understanding. Because privacy in [counseling](https://www.athenscounseling.com/couples-marriage-counseling) is often crucial to successful progress, particularly with teenagers, it is our policy to request an agreement from parents or legal guardians that they consent to give up their access to their child’s records. Specific considerations for mental health treatment include assessing the minor’s maturity and understanding. During treatment, we will provide parents only with general information about the progress of the minor clients’ treatment and their attendance at scheduled sessions. Establishing a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust and open communication is essential. Any other communication will require the child’s authorization unless we feel that sharing relevant information is necessary because the child is in danger or is a danger to someone else. The legal and ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality must be carefully considered, including when therapists may need to breach confidentiality to notify parents or guardians in emergency situations. In contentious custody cases, there may be limitations on parents’ access to their child’s treatment information. Understanding the legal framework surrounding a child’s treatment is crucial in these situations. Privacy rights and legal protections related to a child's treatment include the role of parents as personal representatives and the restrictions on access to treatment notes. Criteria for minors to consent to their own medical treatment include their maturity and decision-making capability. The specific legal requirements for offering mental health treatment via minor’s consent must be followed. Factors determining a minor client’s ability to consent include their cognitive and emotional development. Protecting the confidentiality of minor patients is paramount. Steps for minors to consent to their own treatment involve understanding the legal framework and necessary procedures. Legal and ethical considerations around parental consent are complex and must be navigated carefully. Procedures for minors seeking therapy independently include understanding the relevant laws and guidelines. Minors who seek therapy without parental consent must meet specific criteria and follow established protocols. Involving parents or guardians in the therapeutic process can enhance therapy outcomes through collaboration and trust. ## Mental Health Treatment Therapists have a professional and ethical obligation to maintain the privacy of all their clients, including children. This means information disclosed in sessions is generally kept confidential, fostering an environment where children feel comfortable expressing themselves openly and honestly. However, it is also crucial to consider a minor client's ability to consent to treatment and the challenges health care providers face in assessing this ability, especially in complex situations such as a minor requesting an abortion or refusing certain treatments due to religious beliefs. ### Therapeutic Relationship A strong therapeutic relationship is vital for progress in child therapy. When children trust their therapist to keep their conversations confidential (with some exceptions), they're more likely to be open and vulnerable. This openness allows the therapist to understand the child's needs and develop effective treatment plans. ### Medical Treatment Confidentiality in child therapy can sometimes overlap with medical treatment considerations. However, it's important to note that therapy is not typically considered medical treatment. This means therapists aren't bound by HIPAA regulations, which govern the privacy of medical information. ### Minor Clients While children don't have the same legal right to confidentiality as adults, we at Banyan [Tree Center](https://www.athenscounseling.com/contact-us) strive to create a space where they feel safe to share their experiences. We achieve this through a balanced approach: - **Limited Parental Involvement:** We encourage parents to be involved in their child's treatment, but we also respect the child's right to privacy. We'll provide general updates on progress and collaborate with parents on treatment goals. However, for specific details of sessions, we'll seek the child's assent before sharing with anyone, including parents. - **Mandated Reporting Exceptions:** There are legal exceptions to confidentiality, such as suspected child abuse, self-harm, or danger to others. In these cases, we are obligated by law to report the information to the appropriate authorities. However, we'll always strive to involve the child in the process as much as possible and explain the situation clearly. By understanding these nuances of confidentiality, we can create a safe and effective therapy environment for children at Banyan Tree Center. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us! ## Why is confidentiality important for minors in therapy? [Confidentiality for minors in therapy](https://www.athenscounseling.com/frequently-asked-questions/how-does-confidentiality-work-with-minors) is crucial for building trust and ensuring open communication. It helps minors feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment, ultimately leading to more effective therapy outcomes and protection of their privacy rights.

Our purpose is to help you resolve problem areas in your life. Although no one can solve your problems for you, we are trained to help people cope more effectively with their difficulties. We will do our best to understand you as a unique individual and help you work through your difficulties. We will listen, understand, and help you to the fullest extent of our professional training and experience. It is your responsibility to help us understand your life situation, thoughts, and feelings and to have the courage to try to master your problem areas. As a patient, you have the following rights: - To ask for and receive information about our qualifications, including licensure, education, training, experience, membership in professional organizations, specific areas of practice, and limits on practice - To have written information before therapy about fees, method of payment, insurance coverage, number of sessions that may be needed, on-call therapists used in case of vacations and emergencies, and cancellation policies - To refuse to answer any question or give any information you choose not to answer or give - To know if your case will be discussed with others (for instance, supervisors or consultants) and what information will be shared - To ask about your progress - To have any therapy procedure, including pros and cons of its use, explained to you before it is used - To end treatment at any time (However, please schedule at least one session with your therapist before terminating treatment.)

Mental health professionals differ in many respects from other healthcare providers. Unlike most physicians, dentists, and other professionals who work on flexible and inexact schedules, we commit a specific time period to each client. Therefore, it is important for you to appreciate the fact that a block of time has been set aside for you only. Our schedules can be crowded. Canceling or rescheduling an appointment without sufficient notice often means the loss of an hour of therapy to someone else that needed the appointment time. Therefore, we ask that you give at least 48 hours notice if you cannot be at the appointment for which you have contracted. If no notice of your cancellation is received, or if less than 24 hours notice is given, YOU WILL BE CHARGED A FEE FOR THE MISSED APPOINTMENT. Of course, rescheduling an appointment can be done at any time if there is an emergency or unexpected illness. Cancellation messages can be left on the voicemail. To prevent any confusion about your appointment time, always keep your appointment card. If a mistake is made, your appointment card is your means of verification.