FAQ

1. More privacy. When you self-pay, Client notes are not shared with an insurance company.
2. More flexibility over your care. Insurance requires a diagnosis at the first session. With self-pay, you do not need a diagnosis to receive services.
3. No session limits. Insurance requires predominantly 50-minute sessions. For some, your EAP or insurance may only pay for a fixed amount of sessions. We do not worry about this with private pay! You have the freedom to decide when we are done.
4. Fewer barriers to care. As a Clinician, I can use my entire skillset, not just the therapy modalities that insurance will pay for. This also allows me to provide sliding scale options to those who qualify. This also allows me to schedule sessions longer/shorter than 50 minutes.
5. Consistent care! No more waiting for insurance to make the decisions. No more disrupting the continuity of care by insurance claim denials, late payments, or sporadic changes in policy.

Please follow the steps below:

Submit a written request Choose one of the following options:

1. Via Patient Portal Complete our HIPAA-compliant Authorization form and submit it through the patient portal of Cerasee & Cocoa Tea Counseling, our electronic health records system.

Subject line: “REQUEST FOR RECORDS” Include: The specific records you are requesting, The name, address, and/or email address of the intended recipient Via Email (if you do not have portal access), 

OR

2. Email your written request and completed Authorization form to: CCTinfo@protonmail.com

Subject line: “REQUEST FOR RECORDS”

Additional requirements (if applicable): Litigation-related records If records are requested for use in litigation, please include: Cause number, Case title, & Court where the case is pending.

Business Records Affidavit: If you require a Business Records Affidavit, indicate this in your request Fee: $15 Affidavits will not be provided until payment is received.

Records fee: Fee for providing records: $25 for electronic records

Accepted payment methods: Credit Cards or electronic payment (Zelle, Venmo, etc.).  Texas law does not require records to be released until fees are paid.

Couples, family, or third-party records If you are requesting: Couples counseling records, Family counseling records, Records for anyone other than yourself or your child State and federal law require either: A valid Court Order, or An Authorization signed by the individual (or parent/legal guardian) Relevant law: 45 C.F.R. §164.512(e); Texas Health & Safety Code §§611.004, 611.0045, 611.008 Instructions for Attorneys and Document Companies

A subpoena alone is not sufficient to compel disclosure of confidential counseling or billing records, or other Protected Health Information (PHI), under HIPAA (45 C.F.R. Chapter 164). For mental health or medical records requested or subpoenaed in litigation (including testimony), HIPAA permits disclosure only under the following circumstances: In response to a valid court or administrative tribunal order, or When the individual (or parent/legal guardian): Is a party to the proceeding Has notice that the PHI has been requested Does not object to the disclosure An Authorization from the individual or parent satisfies this requirement. Relevant law: 45 C.F.R. §164.512(e)

Important Note If the client or parent has indicated that they do not consent to release of records: A “Statement of Assurance” will not be accepted.

A valid Authorization or Court Order will be required.

Adults. I will see children only with their parent/guardian when participating in Group EMDR. I value collective healing.

I am here for Caregivers. That includes but is not limited to:

• a Caregiver post-loss
• Autism Caregivers (you have a family member with special needs)
• Military Spouses and Children
• Families of First Responders

At this time, I am NOT equipped to treat:

• unmanaged personality disorders
• those unwilling to try something new. Everything offered in this practice has a somatic component to it. If you would rather vent or talk about the same issue repeatedly while not practicing any skills outside of sessions, it is best that you seek another Clinician.

You might be a good fit for Group EMDR if you are:

• A Veteran, spouse, or adult child of a service member whose trauma symptoms are getting in the way of sleep, relationships, or work.

• An adult child caring for elders while also carrying old trauma, and you need focused time to work on you, rather than everyone else.

• A small group of Caregivers, families, retreats, couples, a Mom & son (Dad & daughter, etc.), foster families, friends after a conflict, or even a family with trauma that does not know how to talk about it, but wants to heal!

• Able to tolerate being in a small group while still doing your own internal work, even if you’re nervous at first.

Group EMDR is not appropriate for unmanaged personality disorders or active psychosis; if that’s you, I’ll help you connect with a higher level of care that fits your needs.

A unique aspect of this protocol is that participants will not share the specifics of their painful experiences. Instead, the focus will be on processing their upsetting emotions without sharing the distressing details. Participants will share positive experiences

No, I cannot.

No FMLA paperwork, ESA paperwork, and no court.

Just healing.