Practice Policies

If you’re interested in working with me, the first step is for us to schedule a 15-minute phone consultation for individual work, or a 25-minute phone consultation for couples work. There is no fee for this initial phone consultation.

During the call, I will ask you a few demographic questions such as your full name, age, pronouns, and occupation. Then, I’ll be curious about your reasons for seeking therapy now. After I’ve learned a little about you and your presenting concerns, you’ll be able to ask me any relevant questions that you may have.

If it seems like an ideal fit, we can go ahead an schedule our initial session. You’ll then be invited to your secure, HIPAA compliant client portal, where you can fill out some documents so that I have additional information about you prior to your initial session.

Alternatively, if you need some time to ponder our therapeutic fit, that’s okay too. You can reach out when you’re ready either by phone 410-929-2114 or email Hello@newsoilcounseling.com. If we determine that we would not be an ideal therapeutic fit, I will provide you with some referrals within 2-3 business days.

Your initial session will be 60 minutes in length and consist of an evaluation including reviewing history, presenting concerns, current symptoms, and treatment goals. Scheduling future sessions will depend upon whether your needs can be adequately and ethically addressed. If your needs cannot be addressed by me (Akiva Katz, LCSW-C), then you will be referred to other providers.

Standard individual therapy appointments are 50 minutes in length; additional time may be scheduled as needed with therapist ahead of time for an additional charge. If you are late for your appointment, your session will not be extended and will still end at its normal time. This allows me to ensure that we are both honoring the boundary of time, and ensures that I do not run late for subsequent client sessions.

Your initial couples/relationship work session will be two to three hours in length and consist of an evaluation including reviewing both relational and individual history, presenting concerns, contextual factors, and counseling goals. Scheduling future sessions will depend upon whether your needs can be adequately and ethically addressed. If your needs cannot be addressed by me (Akiva Katz, LCSW-C), then you will be referred to other providers.

Standard couples therapy appointments are 50 minutes in length; although less or additional time may be scheduled as needed with therapist ahead of time for a pro-rated fee. If any member of the couple/relationship is late for the appointment, the session will not begin until all relevant parties are present. The session will not be extended due to client lateness and will still end at its normal time. This allows me to ensure that we are both honoring the boundary of time, and ensures that I do not run late for subsequent client sessions.

If you are participating in Telehealth for relationship work sessions, it is important that you are both/all in front of the camera at the same location for the online appointment. I understand that this may present scheduling or logistical concerns, however it is necessary as I often require my couples to interact with one another in real time during relational work.

Please remember to cancel or reschedule at least 24-hours in advance. Cancellations and no-show sessions will be subject to a full fee charge if not received at least 24-hours in advance, and will be charged to your preferred credit card on file. This is necessary because a time commitment is made to you and is held exclusively for you.

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please either call me directly at 410-929-2114 or email Hello@newsoilcounseling.com. I will be sure to confirm your cancellation, remind you of the cancellation policy, and provide you with rescheduling options.

The therapeutic relationship is unique in that it is a highly personal and at the same time, a contractual agreement between the therapist and client(s). Given this, it is important for us to reach a clear understanding about how our relationship will work, and what each of us can expect. I encourage my clients to discuss their experiences and expectations of therapy with me at any time. If at any point in our work together you feel that I am perhaps not the ideal fit therapist for you please let me know and I will provide you with referrals.

The session content and all relevant materials to the client’s treatment will be held confidential unless the client requests in writing to have all or portions of such content released to a specifically named person/persons. Limitations of such client held privilege of confidentiality exist and are itemized below:

1. If a client threatens or attempts to commit suicide or otherwise conducts themselves self in a manner in which there is a substantial risk of incurring serious bodily harm.

2. If a client threatens grave bodily harm or death to another person.

3. If the therapist has a reasonable suspicion that a client or other named victim is the perpetrator, observer of, or actual victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse of children under the age of 18 years.

4. Suspicions as stated above in the case of an elderly person who may be subjected to these abuses.

5. Suspected neglect of the parties named in items #3 and # 4.

6. If a court of law issues a legitimate subpoena for information stated on the subpoena.

Occasionally I may need to consult with other professionals in their areas of expertise in order to provide the best treatment for you. Information about you may be shared in this context without utilizing identifying information such as your name.

We understand that health information about you and your mental health is personal and private. We are deeply committed to protecting privileged information about you. We create a record of the care and services you receive from New Soil Counseling. The HIPAA compliant telehealth and documentation platform that we utilize is called Simple Practice. Simple Practice keeps your personal data secure, calls anonymous, and information private with bank-level encryption.

The federal No Surprises Act became effective Jan. 1, 2022. This law aims to help you (as a client) better understand your health care costs in advance of care and to minimize unforeseen or “surprise” medical bills. The Good Faith Estimate provision of the No Surprises Act is designed to give you (a client) an estimate of how much you will be charged for the healthcare services you’ll be receiving, prior to your appointment. Given that I am an out-of-network provider, you can expect to receive a Good Faith Estimate form from me, prior to starting therapy. The estimate provided in the document is subject to change based on your therapeutic needs, cancellations, etc.

I deeply value transparency as well as my client’s security in regard to finances. This is why my fees for services are listed on my website, and I am sure to disclose relevant fee information to clients prior to scheduling their initial session. I will never adjust your fee without speaking to you and receiving your verbal and signed consent.