Privacy Policy
OUR POLICY
1. Introduction
At the Marriage and Family Counseling Service with Abigail, we steadfastly uphold our commitment to fostering a secure and confidential environment for our esteemed clients. This confidentiality policy meticulously delineates the procedures governing the handling of your personal information and delineates the boundaries of confidentiality applicable throughout the counseling sessions.
2. Confidentiality Assurance
2.1 Client-Counselor Privilege: Every detail shared during marriage counseling sessions is held in strict confidence. Your counselor will not divulge any information without your explicit written consent, except as necessitated by law or ethical standards (refer to section 3).
2.2 Protection of Records: Client records, encompassing session notes, assessments, and related documentation, shall be securely stored, with access restricted to authorized personnel, as detailed in section 4.
3. Limits to Confidentiality
3.1 Domestic Abuse or Physical Abuse: In cases of credible reports of physical abuse, we are legally obligated to notify the victim to report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
3.2 Threats of Harm: Should you present a serious threat of harm to yourself or others, we may need to take measures to ensure safety, including disclosing pertinent information to relevant parties such as law enforcement or medical professionals.
3.3 Court Orders: In the event of a court order mandating the release of your counseling records, compliance with such an order may be obligatory.
3.4 Supervision and Consultation: Your counsellor may engage in consultation with other mental health professionals for supervision and training purposes, ensuring the confidentiality of your identity.
4. Access to Client Information
4.1 Authorized Personnel: Solely authorized personnel, including your counselor and administrative staff at Marriage and Family Counseling Service with Abigail, shall have access to your information.
4.2 Security Measures: Diligent measures are undertaken to safeguard your personal information in both paper and electronic formats, preventing unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration.
5. Client Consent
Prior to any disclosure exceeding the outlined limits in this policy, we shall seek your explicit written consent, elucidating the purpose and recipients of the disclosed information.
6. Record Retention
Client records will be retained in accordance with applicable laws and ethical standards, with secure destruction following the expiration of the retention period.
7. Questions and Concerns
For any inquiries or concerns about our confidentiality policy, kindly address them with your counselor or contact us at contact@abigailabamukong.com
8. Policy Updates
Periodic updates to this confidentiality policy may occur to align with changes in laws, regulations, or counselling practices. You will be duly informed of any significant alterations.
Cancellation Policy:
For cancellations and missed appointments, a $40 fee (converted to your currency rate at the point of payment) applies.
Cancellations and Missed Appointments:
Clients are expected to adhere to the scheduled time for each booked session, and a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for any cancellation or postponement.
This means that if your appointment is supposed to be at 9 a.m. on Thursday and you wish to cancel, we expect to receive your email by 9 a.m. on Wednesday at the latest.
Note that if your appointment is on a Monday, the cancellation needs to be provided no later than the prior Friday by your appointment time to be considered proper 24-hour notice.
When the No-Show/Late Cancel Fee is Waived:
If cancellation occurs later than 24 hours before the scheduled time, a cancellation fee will be charged for another appointment.
Late Cancellation Fees Process:
A $40 fee is assessed for any session missed due to a cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice. Payment is required before scheduling another appointment. A payment link will be immediately sent for the cancellation fee to be paid another appointment is made or continuation of your sessions.
Wait Time Grace Period:
Arriving more than 10 minutes late necessitates rescheduling, incurring a $40 no-show fee. A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for cancellations.
Recurring Sessions – Cancellation Fee Payment Enforcement:
For recurring sessions, a $40 cancellation fee applies for each missed session without adequate notice.
Thank You:
We appreciate your commitment to your journey, understanding the obligations outlined in this policy. Time efficiency is paramount, enabling us to assist more clients. Thank you.
By making a booking, you affirm your agreement to the Confidentiality Policy and Cancellation Policy.
