Karol Marshall, PhD, ABPP

Statement of Office Policies

While we will discuss most of these arrangements for our work, it may be helpful to have some specifics in writing so that you can review them as needed. 

Training and Certifications  -  I have a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington (l973) and graduated from the Academic Program of the Seattle Institute of Psychoanalysis in l982.  I am certified in psychoanalysis by the American Board for Professional Psychology and the American Board for Certification in Psychoanalysis (#P89969) and am licensed to practice psychology in the state of Washington (License #453).  I am on the clinical faculty of the Department of Psychology, University of Washington and on the faculty of the Northwest Center for Psychoanalysis.

Methods - In our work together I will apply psychodynamic and psychoanalytic principles as well as a broad understanding of human development and relatedness.  You may wish to enter into an evaluation, a consultation, or a treatment process.  Treatment, whether brief or long term, typically involves regularly scheduled meetings devoted to a verbal exploration of thoughts and feelings.   Psychotherapy or psychoanalysis can involve remembering unpleasant events and may arouse intense emotions.  Talking about these difficult feelings can lead to better understanding of your personal nature.  Therapy may engender strong reactions as well as gradual transformations.  Our work together will be facilitated by mutual candor and directness.  I am not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication for you.  If medical treatment is indicated I can recommend a physician for you or you can choose any physician you wish.

Financial arrangements – We will agree upon a fee for our work together.   I will give you a statement at the end of each month listing all charges and credits with payment due within 10 days.  Please let me know if problems arise with our financial plan.  If you do not make the agreed upon payments, I will add a finance charge of 1% per month to the past due amount (minimum $2) and any amounts overdue 90 days or more will be sent for collection (the fee for cost of collection will be added to the balance due from you).  Many health insurance plans cover some of my services.  I recommend you check with your insurer to see whether yours does.  I do not electronically transmit or receive claims. You are responsible for your account whether or not health insurance reimburses you for a portion of the charges. Fees paid to me may be deductible as a medical expense if you itemize tax deductions.  Consult your tax advisor about this.

Our agreement will be recorded in writing and become part of the contract for our work.   All agreed upon sessions scheduled will be charged for unless cancelled or rescheduled a minimum of a week in advance.  It is therefore important to discuss any problems that arise with our plans for meeting together as soon as possible.  You have the right to end treatment at any time; however, it is sound psychological practice to allow time for us to fully discuss the issues and feelings that contribute to a decision to end therapy.

Confidentiality/Privacy - I am committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your medical information. I will authorize access to your personal information only to the extent necessary to conduct my business of serving you.  I may have to disclose information so that your medical insurance claims may be processed.   Although in most situations I will request your specific authorization to disclose information in writing, in some specific situations it may be necessary for me to disclose information without your authorization in writing. There are also certain situations in which I am required by law to reveal information obtained during treatment, with or without your permission.  These situations include but are not limited to: if a court of law issues a legal subpoena, in cases of national emergency, if you threaten grave bodily harm to another, or if you inform me of current incidences of child abuse.

Unless you formally request otherwise, I keep records of the services I provide you.  You may ask for a copy of that record and you may ask me to make additions to that record if the information is incorrect or incomplete.

Please be assured it is my intent to protect the privacy of your personal information.  If you have questions or concerns about these policies, please discuss them with me.  If you should have a complaint about my services, you may also contact: Health Professions Quality Assurance, Customer Service Center,PO Box 47865, Olympia WA  98504 (360) 236 4700.

Thank you,     Karol Marshall, PhD