Phil E. Foster, MDiv, LPC
North Decatur Psychotherapy Center
2784 N. Decatur Road, Suite 145
Decatur, Georgia 30033
404-314-8325
Fax 404-292-2835
www.philfosterlpc.com
Welcome. You have decided to embark on a powerful journey known as psychotherapy. It is an adventure undertaken through strength and courage even though it may not feel that way at the moment. I am pleased that you have selected me to work with you. Know that I consider the psychotherapeutic relationship to be one of sacred trust. This letter serves to inform you about the therapeutic process, answer questions about our professional relationship and give you some information about my background.
My experience is that as people become more accepting, loving and responsible to themselves they are then more capable of finding contentment in life. Where some clients obtain the goals of self-acceptance and self-awareness in just a few sessions many people require months and years. Self-acceptance is an on-going life process. Meaningful, lasting and real change takes time and effort.
Psychotherapy cannot insure the successful resolution of the issues you bring to it. Human beings are far too complex and life is too uncertain. However, it is my experience as a therapist that most people can gain some value from the therapeutic process. Know that as we journey together new and often unforeseen destinations may appear. Not only may the therapeutic process affect you, but also relationships, work and other areas of life. There are alternatives to psychotherapy. These include, but are not limited to, medications, support groups, spiritual practices and bibliotherapy. I often encourage clients to utilize these adjunctively. I will be happy to discuss any alternatives you want to consider at any time.
I have a number of expectations about our relationship. I expect you to keep the appointments you schedule with me. Please remember that someone else may want this time. I always consider broken appointments individually and I understand that emergencies do arise. Please give my other clients, their obligations, relations and myself the courtesy of a 24 hour notice if you must cancel an appointment; otherwise, you will be charged for this time (insurance will not pay for broken appointments).
My current fee is $130 per individual session, $60 per group session. Payment for your session is due at the time of service.. I am no longer accepting managed care contracts. I will be happy to assist you with filing for out of network benefits with your insurance. Please be mindful that you are responsible for payment. I also charge for my time when you require written correspondence. This is billed at the appropriate rate according to the amount of time utilized with a minimum fee of $50 (insurance will not pay for correspondence).
Telephone consultations are also billed at regular rates. The first 5 minutes of a telephone conversation I consider a professional courtesy to our relationship; thereafter, the time is billed at regular rates to the nearest quarter hour (minimum fee is $50). Please communicate with me about any financial concerns you may have regarding my services.
Sessions are 45 to 50 minutes in length. I take a few minutes between clients to relax, let go of the last session and prepare for the next. My appointment times are generally on the hour from 11AM to 5PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and every other Friday; I do make earlier and later appointments that are reserved for long standing clients. I am not in the office on Wednesday. I schedule appointments at the end of each session. I strive to set a regular appointment time for our convenience, but this is not always possible.
Because of the demands of my schedule and the nature of my practice I do not provide emergency services. If you are in a life and death situation call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department. I do not provide psychiatric services. I will assist you with a psychiatric referral if either or both of us feel this necessity. You are ultimately responsible for obtaining these services.
Although our sessions will be intimate, it is important for you to understand that our relationship is strictly professional and not social. Our contact will be limited to sessions you arrange with me. Sessions are always held at my office (or, rarely, as the need arises, at a local hospital should you require inpatient care). If we should encounter one another outside my office I will speak with you only if you initiate the contact; this somewhat awkward formality allows you to maintain the privacy of your psychotherapeutic relationship.
I do not use email with clients due to confidentiality concerns; please do not attempt to communicate with me via email. Please do not invite me to social gatherings (including parties, weddings, business meetings, etc.), offer my family or me any gifts, or ask me to relate to you in any way other than the professional context of our therapy sessions. Although these boundaries may seem unnatural or artificial, it is the best way to promote a productive psychotherapeutic relationship. Repeat violations of this boundary will result in the termination of our therapeutic relationship.
Your sessions should focus on your concerns exclusively. You will learn a great deal about me the longer we work together; I do share of my experiences and struggles as models for clients and to deepen our understanding of you. Nonetheless, you will still be experiencing me in my professional role.
I will keep confidential anything you say to me with the following exceptions: a) you direct me to speak to someone about you, b) I determine that you are a danger to yourself or others, or c) there is evidence of child or elder abuse (which I am required by law to report). In the event of these latter two exceptions I will contact family, friends and/on law enforcement authorities to prevent harm from coming to anyone.
I attend peer consultation with colleagues every other week. I may discuss our work in these sessions while maintaining your anonymity.
I received a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University. In addition I have done two years of graduate counseling studies at Georgia State University (non-degreed). I regularly attend continuing education workshops and seminars; my record of these activities is available for your inspection. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (Georgia #1227), board certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC #20371) and a Diplomate in the American Psychotherapy Association (DAPA #4362). I am a clinical member of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCA). I am a past president, Fellow and chaplain of LPCA. I also have served as the Chair of the LPCA Foundation.
My approach to therapy is eclectic, meaning that I utilize a variety of therapeutic models. Primarily I emphasize archetypal, transpersonal, mythopoetics, and existential constructs. I also rely heavily on traditional psychodynamic theories and some cognitive approaches. If you are unfamiliar with any of these terms please ask me about their meanings and implications for our work. I use a consistent approach while maintaining some variance for individual needs. My interests in psychotherapy are personal growth, spiritual growth and formation, men's/gender issues, gay/lesbian issues, shadow work, midlife and elder issues, the concerns of the helping professions (therapists, physicians, ministers, nurses, etc), and the concerns of artists.
My style is initially active, didactic, philosophical and somewhat directive. As our therapy relationship continues I have less to say and am more reflective. Many people assume therapy is comfortable and safe; while we strive together to create a nurturing relationship also know that therapy, if effective, will be challenging and confrontive. The most important and difficult task in life is to face and know you (hard work but infinitely rewarding).
I hope this information is helpful to you. I look forward to sharing in your story and growth.
Sincerely,
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Phil E. Foster, MDiv, LPC
I have read this material and understand its contents. I have been given the opportunity to ask questions regarding this information.
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Client signature