Policy for Separated or Divorced Parents

At this office we are committed providing quality care to your child(ren). The focus is on your child’s well being. We are not party to or to be involved in any legal issues involving divorce, separation or custody agreements. Please, read and agree to the following in order to work together on your child(rens) behalf.. Karla Townsend LCMHC will not be put in the middle of domestic issues or disagreement over the phone, by email, text or in the office. Please make decisions regarding appointments and participation PRIOR to visits at this office. Only in situations where there is a confirmed, documented Court Order will one of the parent's be denied access to the minor child's health records or visits at the office. Karla Townsend LCMHC must have a copy of this Court Order on file in the minor child's electronic chart. If there is NOT a court order on file with our office, either parent or legal guardian can sign a "Consent to Treat”. Either parent or legal guardian can schedule an appointment for their child, be present for the visit and/or obtain a copy of the visit summary. (Subject to medical records fee if applicable. It is both parents' responsibility to communicate with each other about the patients' care, office visit dates and any other pertinent information relevant to the patient. It is not the responsibility of Karla Townsend LCMHC to communicate visit information to each custodial parent separately. Karla Townsend LCMHC will not call the non-attending parent following visits.. Additionally, we will not call the other parent for consent regarding appointments scheduled, restrict either parent's involvement in the patient's care unless authorized by law. Furthermore, payments including copays, deductibles, coinsurance or any additional fees charged by your insurance are due when invoiced, regardless of which parent is responsible for medical expenses. We are not a party to your custody agreement. We will collect payment from the parent whose contact information is acquired at the time of intake. . If the divorce decree requires the other parent to pay all or part of the treatment costs, it is the authorizing parent's responsibility to collect from the other parent. If any of the above points become an issue at the office and/or compromising patient care, we have the right to discharge the family from the practice. You will be asked to sign a form indicating you agree to honor the above policy and understand that breaking this agreement may result in the discharge of your family from the practice. It is the position of Karla Townsend LCMHC that children’s counseling records do not belong in the court proceedings of separation, divorce or any shared parenting litigation. Signing the document will confirm that you agree to not request records after the date this document is signed. If you think you will want to request records or a counselor’s presence at court you will need to schedule with a different counselor or a mental health provider specializing in forensic psychology.