Consultation Phone Call

If you reside in California and are interested in therapy with Dr. Cassil, you can contact her via phone or email to request a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. This call is an opportunity for you and Dr. Cassil to discuss what you are looking for and whether she is the right fit for your needs. Dr. Cassil has limited availability and is not able to take every client who contacts her; she does her best to provide referral options when she is unable to work with someone.

For a broad overview to psychological services and patient rights in the state of California, here is the “For Your Peace of Mind” brochure from the Board of Psychology.

Your First Session

Once you schedule your first appointment, Dr. Cassil will email instructions for completing your paperwork via an online, HIPAA-compliant portal. The first session (intake) tends to be more structured than a typical therapy session and Dr. Cassil will have some specific questions she will ask regarding your history, what is bringing you in, and your goals for therapy. Future sessions will be less structured and the content will be client-directed. 

Dr. Cassil normally conducts evaluations lasting from 2 to 4 sessions. During this time, you and she can work together to decide if she is the best person to provide services to you in order to meet your treatment goals. There is no guarantee that psychotherapy will yield positive or intended results. During the course of your therapy,Dr. Cassil is likely to draw on various psychological approaches that are related to the problem that brought you to therapy and that are based on her assessment of what may best benefit you. These approaches can include developmental, feminist, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, trauma-informed, acceptance and commitment, psychoeducational, interpersonal, and psychodynamic therapies. 

Cancellation Policy

A minimum of 24-hours notice is required for rescheduling or canceling an appointment. You will be charged the full fee for the session missed if you do not provide at least 24-hour notification.

Confidentiality

All information that you disclose in therapy is confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission, except when disclosure is required or permitted by law. The following are the primary exceptions to confidentiality:

  • Suspected child, elder, or dependent adult abuse must be reported to appropriate protective agencies or law enforcement.

  • Danger to harm or kill oneself necessitates that appropriate measures be taken to protect the client.

  • If there is a serious threat of harm to another person, there is a legal requirement to inform the intended victim and law enforcement.

  • Some legal proceedings – for instance, if you place your mental status at issue in a lawsuit.

  • Identifying information that may be provided to a collection agency in order to collect unpaid fees.

  • Information provided to your insurance company in order to file claims for services rendered.

  • In couples and family counseling, no “secrets” will be kept from those actively participating in therapy. For example, if both wife and husband are seen in therapy together and the wife calls Dr. Cassil during the week and asks that the conversation be kept secret from the husband, the information in the phone call may be revealed to the husband.

  • Dr. Cassil may occasionally find it helpful to consult with other professionals to ensure the best treatment for you. During a consultation, she makes every effort to avoid revealing the identity of her patient. The consultant is also legally bound to keep the information confidential. If you do not object, she will not tell you about these communications unless she feels it is important to your work together.

These situations have rarely occurred in Dr. Cassil’s practice. If a similar situation occurs, she will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking any action. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed with the use of cell phones, e-mail, or faxes. Please notify Dr. Cassil if you wish to avoid their use. 

Non-California Residents

Dr. Cassil is licensed to practice psychology in the state of California, which means she is only able to provide therapy services to people residing within the state of California. If you are not a California resident, you can connect with Dr. Cassil through non-clinical services, such as consultation, individual education, or workshops.