Professional Disclosure Statement for Darlene Szeles, MA - Resident Intern, Therapist
Counselor’s Professional Disclosure and Client’s Informed Consent
The decision to enter into a counseling relationship is a serious commitment that can be a life-changing experience. Research has shown that individuals who understand the counseling process are more likely to achieve favorable results. This document is designed to inform you of the counseling process, the various therapeutic modalities that I use, the benefits and risks involved in counseling, confidentiality, our professional relationship, and my background. It will also document your understanding of and consent to treatment.
Background and Training
I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from Liberty University and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communications. I am a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Association for Christian Counselors (AACC), and a SYMBIS certified facilitator. I am also an academic member of Chi Sigma Iota and Omega Nu Lambda National Honors Society. The experience I have comes from academic, ministry, and volunteering development, as well as facilitating/leading trauma, grief, recovery, marriage, and creative groups. My academic experiences in Rwanda, Africa and compassion trips to Mexico, Philippines, and Guatemala have equipped me to become more culturally aware and sensitive to the many complexities people have endured abroad. I believe that experiencing other parts of the world has aided me in helping diverse populations in my own communities and clinical sites.
Counseling Services Offered
With respect to my theoretical orientation and worldview for counseling, I believe that we are whole persons, with physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects, so I am committed to an integrated approach of psychotherapy. These psychological perspectives of psychotherapy can include: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Family Systems approach. These models are regarded as established, well-researched, and effective methods of therapy. I respect your religious/spiritual orientation, and therefore, whether we include discussion of your spirituality will be fully up to your preference and consent.
Guiding Principles and Practices
My approach to counseling is: goal-oriented, experiential, designed to enhance awareness and understanding, collaborative, and culturally and spiritually/religiously sensitive.
Client Population
I will agree to meet with a potential client regardless of age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or socio-economic status. I may decline meeting with a client if I feel, in my professional opinion, that I cannot help them or if they would be better served with the services of another professional. If a referral elsewhere is needed, I will provide information regarding services for the client’s consideration.
Therapist’s Responsibility
As a professional, I will uphold and abide by the standards of the American Counseling Association and the North Carolina LPC Board’s code of ethics. Our relationship is a professional one. Our contact will be limited to the sessions you arrange with me. You will be best served while I am seeing you for counseling if our relationship stays strictly professional and if our sessions concentrate exclusively on your concerns. You may learn more about me as we work together, but it is important for you to remember that you are experiencing me as a professional therapist.
Client’s Responsibility
The beginning sessions involve understanding your situation so that together we can develop specific, realistic goals, methods to accomplish them and the approximate length of time needed. It is important for you to be as open and honest with me as possible and work toward the goals we have agreed upon. The majority of the counseling session will consist of you talking about the issues you present and employing methods that can help make a positive difference in your life. This requires effort and active involvement on your part to understand and change your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It will include work in and out of the counseling sessions and may include homework assignments, self-observation and practicing new behaviors. It is important for you to attend all of your scheduled appointments on time.
Confidentiality
I hold the information you share with me with great respect. All information that you share with me including notes and records as well as assessment results is confidential and will remain confidential within Soul Care and Liberty University faculty supervision. It will not be released to any outside person or agency without your written authorization and consent.
As a mandated reporter, the following are circumstances in which I cannot guarantee confidentiality, either legally or ethically:
1. If there is abuse (potential or actual) of children, persons with disabilities, and/or senior citizens. The law requires the therapist to report it to the appropriate authorities.
2. If disclosure is required to prevent clear and imminent danger to yourself and/or others.
3. If mandated by a court of law.
In order to improve my clinical skills and obtain additional training I may audio/video record counseling sessions. These sessions may be discussed with and reviewed by a licensed clinical LPC supervisor. Confidentiality concerning such tapes is considered the same as the counseling sessions themselves. Following the feedback of my supervisor(s) the recordings will be destroyed.
Session and Fees
I can assure you that my services will be provided in a professional manner and will be consistent with accepted ethical standards. After we decide on the frequency of appointments (generally once a week) and the appointment time, I will reserve this time for you. Sessions are usually 45 – 50 minutes long. It is possible to adjust the length of a session if necessary and should be agreed upon in advance. The length of treatment varies depending on the therapist, the client (s) and the nature of the problems. Typically treatment will last 8-12 sessions for relatively specific problems but may be longer or shorter depending upon the nature of treatment.
The leadership of Soul Care PLLC determines the counseling fee structure. Clients may use their insurance if applicable. Please note that your insurance company may require information regarding diagnosis, symptoms, treatment goals and methods. Any diagnosis provided to your insurance company becomes a part of your permanent medical record. Please understand that you, the client, are fully responsible for payment of fees for services provided regardless of any insurance coverage you may have. Counseling fees are accepted in the form of cash, check, debit and/or credit card(s). Please note that if your check is returned for insufficient funds, you will be responsible for the bank charges incurred. Cancellation of appointments must be made 24 hours prior to your appointment. If the appointment is not canceled within this time period or if you do not show up for your appointment, you will be charged a $35 missed appointment fee.
In Case of Emergency
If you try to contact me by phone and I am not available, please leave a message on my voicemail. I will return calls within 24 hours Monday-Friday, and weekend messages will be returned the following Monday. If you are unable to reach me in an emergency, contact 911, or 9-8-8 for mental health support, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Social Media and Electronic Communications
Social Media is neither private nor confidential. Therefore, I will not seek out or accept “friend” requests or “follow” any current or former client on any social media platform. With this being said, I will not engage you in any public forums over the Internet, because to do so could blur the professional nature of our relationship and could compromise the privacy that I seek to guard. Electronic communications (E-mail, texting (SMS), etc.) are not encrypted or secure and may not be received in a timely manner. The best method is to contact the office or my phone number at 980-288-5229.
Complaint Procedure
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our work, the most effective and productive way to deal with the situation and hopefully resolve it is to discuss it in our sessions together. Please feel free to ask any questions or clarify any confusion you may have about our work. For clarification of client rights as I have explained them or to lodge a complaint if you think that you have been treated unfairly or unethically by me, contact the:
Client Rights Committee:
Soul Care
5501 Executive Center Drive
Suite #225
Charlotte, NC 28212
Tel: 980-613-8312
North Carolina Legal Assistance:
2113 Cameron Street
Suite #218
Raleigh, NC 27605
Advocacy and Customer Service Department at the Division of MH/DD/SAS
3724 National Drive, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
Toll-Free: 877-235-4210
