About psychotherapy services.

Psychotherapy is a working cooperative relationship between you and your therapist. Each member of this cooperative relationship has certain responsibilities. Your therapist will contribute their knowledge, expertise, and clinical skills. You, as the client, have the responsibility to bring an attitude of collaboration and a commitment to the therapeutic process. While there are no guarantees regarding the outcome of the treatment, your commitment may increase the likelihood of a satisfactory experience.

As a client in psychotherapy, you have certain rights and responsibilities that are important for you to understand. There are also legal limitations to those rights that you should be aware of. I, as your therapist, have corresponding responsibilities to you. These rights and responsibilities are described in the following sections.

Please note that psychotherapy is not an emergency service. If you are experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts, are in crisis, or need immediate help, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Benefits and risks of psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy has both benefits and risks. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings, such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness, because the process of psychotherapy often requires discussing the unpleasant aspects of your life. However, psychotherapy has been shown to have benefits for individuals who undertake it. Therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress and resolutions to specific problems.

Note that there are no guarantees about what will happen. Psychotherapy requires a very active effort on your part. In order to be most successful, you will have to work on things we discuss outside of sessions.

Informed Consent for Yoga Classes.

Please read carefully. By registering for or attending classes, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Nature of Classes

I understand yoga classes involve physical movement, breathwork, and guided relaxation/mindfulness. Classes may include standing, balancing, floor poses, and use of props. Classes led by a licensed clinical social worker incorporate therapeutic, trauma-informed approaches and may include brief psychoeducational content or guided reflection; they are not a substitute for individual psychotherapy or medical treatment.

2. Assumption of Risk

I acknowledge that participation may involve physical and emotional risks, including muscle strain, soreness, dizziness, fainting, injury, or emotional discomfort when engaging in breathwork or reflective practices. I voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation.

3. Medical Clearance

I confirm I am physically able to participate or have consulted with a healthcare provider if I have any medical conditions, injuries, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, are pregnant or postpartum, or have other concerns that could affect safe participation.

4. Personal Responsibility

I agree to listen to my body, practice within my limits, modify poses as needed, and inform the instructor of any pain, discomfort, or medical conditions before class. I understand instructors may provide options but cannot be responsible for injuries resulting from my choices.

5. Emergency Care

In the event of a medical emergency, I authorize studio staff or instructors to seek emergency medical treatment on my behalf. I agree to be financially responsible for any emergency care.

6. Confidentiality & Professional Boundaries

I understand that while classes are led by a licensed clinician, group classes are educational and supportive rather than private therapy. Personal disclosures made in class are not kept confidential in the same manner as individual psychotherapy. The instructor will maintain professional boundaries and will not provide individualized therapy during class time; for therapy services, I will schedule separate clinical appointments.