The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi   Self pay rates  For those choosing to pay out of pocket for psychotherapy services, my self pay fee is $140.00 an hour. I also provide a reasonable sliding scale fee.   I accept the following credit cards and debit cards: Discover Card Master Card Visa   I accept the following insurance plans; Blue Cross Blue Shield POS Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Blue Cross Blue Shield Personal Help Connection Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO Blue Blue Cross Blue Shield Network Blue Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice Plan 1 Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice Plan 2 Blue Cross Blue Shield POS Access Blue Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO Blue New England Blue Cross Blue Shield Network Blue New England Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice 1 New England Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice New England   I accept any insurance that offers and Out of Network Benefit, generally indicated by the following initials POS, PPP, or PPO. Should you have an out of network component to your insurance policy - I will bill you directly for therapy services and provide you with a monthly statement indicating the expenses that you have incurred. The insurance company will then reimburse you for the cost of these services. Please contact your insurance provider directly to learn of the details, requirements and stipulations as well as the financial conditions of your out of network benefits prior to our first session.    Practice Policies: Length and frequency of treatment: Psychotherapy involves regular sessions 50 minutes in length, at least once weekly. Duration and frequency of psychotherapy varies depending on the issues that are presented and your individual needs. In beginning with new clients, I schedule 4 consecutive sessions for purposes of assessment. At the end of this assessment period, I will discuss with you my recommendations for therapy and at that time we will begin to create a treatment plan that will become the focus of your therapy. However, if at the completion of my assessment I feel that that there are issues beyond my areas of expertise, I reserve the right to refer you to a more appropriate practitioner.   Confidentiality: The Information that you share with me will be kept strictly confidential, and will not be disclosed without your written consent. However, by law, there are some circumstances which will require me to break that confidentiality. These circumstances include any or all of the following; Disclosure of intent to harm yourself; Disclosure of intent to harm another; Disclosure that minor children are being placed at risk e.g., sexual or physical abuse and / or neglect. Disclosure that elderly and / or handicapped people are being placed at risk e.g., sexual, physical or economic abuse and / or neglect. If I need to discuss your treatment with a colleague, I will disguise all identifying information, including the use of a pseudonym.   Fee policies: My fee for therapy sessions is $140.00 per 50 minute hour. If you are using your insurance there may be some form of co-payment based on your insurance providers determination. Payment is expected at the end of each session. I offer a reasonable sliding scale fee as well, with the lowest payment option being $85.00 per session. Payment/co-payments are due in full at the time of the session.   Missed Sessions: If you need to cancel an appointment, please provide me with at least 24 hours notice; otherwise, you will be charged my full fee of $140.00 for the missed session. Re-scheduling sessions also requires at least 24 hours notice. Bounced checks will result in a $25 processing fee.   No Show Policy: I will be unable to reschedule a session after 2 consecutive no show sessions. You will be billed for any scheduled sessions that you miss.   Phone and emergency contact: If you need to contact me by phone, DO NOT HESITATE to contact me at (617) 461-8479. If I am not available, you may leave a confidential message at either (617) 461-8479 or (978) 897-1140. I am usually able to return phone calls the day they are made. You will not be charged for brief phone calls. If we have a scheduled phone session you will be billed at the regular rate. Phone calls lasting longer than 15 minutes will be billed at a prorated fee. If, during an emergency, you feel that you cannot safely wait for my return call please go to the nearest emergency room for immediate attention.   Freedom to terminate therapy: If at any time you feel that the treatment is not progressing as you wished, please do not hesitate to inform me of this. I will do my best to accommodate your needs, and resolve any issues that you feel need to be addressed. You have the right to end therapy at any time. If you wish, I will give you the names of other qualified psychotherapists.   Should you have any questions regarding my practice, or would like to discuss the possibility of our working together, please feel free to contact me at the above provided telephone numbers, or you may email me at;josephwinnlicsw@josephwinnlicsw.com