James Fitzgerald Therapy PLLC

Introduction to Strengthening Your Conscious Self

Dear Client,

I am honored that you have chosen me to assist you on your journey toward better health and wellness. You are also invited to read more about my therapy and health & wellness program, Strengthening Your Conscious Self. This e-manual is designed to help you understand my procedures and practices, ensuring a smooth and informed start to your therapeutic journey.

My therapy program is always under construction and remains a work in progress. This program is one my purposes in life and gives me a tremendous amount of meaning. Please be patient with me as I work to simplify and streamline this website, the client account portal, the therapy program, and my processes and procedures. Please review the program in this current fluid and evolving state. I also welcome any feedback and comments. I encourage you to think about the program’s documents and web pages in this online library as sections of a book, with several sections making up the book’s chapters. The chapters and sections are listed in order of implementation in the library’s content list.

“Document” refers to the online webpage of information, the PDF copy of this information in the client account portal, and any PDF downloaded and/or printed by clients.

Please remember, you oversee your treatment plan. It can be as structured or as open as you want it to be. If any document or web page you are reading becomes overwhelming, if you do not understand the information, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, or if this process is something you would rather not take part in, you are permitted to provide me with your verbal consent to follow the program and keep you updated on the progress. I want to respect your preferences, mental capacity, education level, executive functioning, and intellectual abilities. If you would like to participate in your treatment planning, please continue with this activity and read or complete the documents in order. I may also send you a PDF of this information as part of the intake process, or every year you are working with me, as part of a compliance practice. You may also request a copy of this document in PDF.

Compliance

For me to remain in compliance with health insurance companies and healthcare industry regulations and policies, every existing client working with me in therapy will be required to review and revise, complete, and sign their treatment plan, every year, as part of their therapy agreement and informed consent to services.

This webpage and the many documents that follow will take a while to complete, I have structured this process in a way that allows you to break it up over several days or weeks. Laws, insurance policies, and regulations allow the development and implementation of a treatment plan to take up to 30 days in some cases. This entire activity and all associated documents/forms is available in a hard copy format. The hard copy format is available as a binder that also includes the notice of privacy practices, several supporting articles, the therapy agreement, and informed consent to therapy services.

My therapy program is subject to change without notice, as new research is published, or new findings emerge in clinical settings, the clinician will revise this document and the others that follow to reflect the changes. The clinician will notify the client in sessions as the changes are made, which will also be reflected in the client’s Therapy Notes software-generated treatment plan.

Agreement:

This Universal Therapy Program (the “Treatment Plan”) is an agreement between you (the “Client”) and me your counselor/therapist (the “Clinician”).

As a new client, you must sign your treatment plan no later than 30 days after the first session. You will be asked to acknowledge that you have read this set of documents. You will be asked to complete the associated compliance paperwork every year you and I are still working together. If you have been discharged and later resume sessions and more than 90 days have passed, you will be asked to complete the paperwork again.

Failure to sign the important documents may result in the inability to schedule new sessions. If you continue to attend sessions without signing the documents, your attendance indicates agreement with these terms and will constitute your verbal consent. You may also choose to verbally authorize the signing of this document and that verbal authorization will act as your signed informed consent.

The therapy program and related documents in this library are supportive of the Consent to Services and Therapy Agreement documents that are also required by regulations, laws, and policies. The therapy agreement includes the following information and agreements:

  • The process of therapy and my integrative approach to therapy.
  • Public health information regarding COVID-19 and protection from infectious diseases.
  • My professional public disclosure statement (education, credentials, training, and work experience)
  • The Vermont Secretary of State’s information regarding unprofessional conduct, and how to file a complaint with the Office of Professional Regulation.
  • The HIPPA notice of privacy practice and requirements for storing and sharing medical records and protected health information.
  • Confidentiality agreement and statement of the limits of confidentiality, and the exceptions.
  • A notice of your rights to a good faith estimate guaranteed by the “No Surprises Act.”
  • Consent to send and receive electronic communication via phone and internet, including SMS texts, apps, client account portals, emails, and website portals
  • Consent for and information regarding tele-healthcare via video conference and phone/audio.
  • And, consent for and information regarding audio recording in sessions to allow an AI program to write the clinician’s progress notes.

Mission Statement:

In my private practice, James Fitzgerald Therapy and Strengthening Your Conscious Self, my mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. I am committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where you can explore, heal, and grow. My integrative and holistic approach combines the latest psychological research with holistic health & wellness practices tailored to meet your unique needs and circumstances.

My philosophy: The relationship comes first!

The relationship between us that develops in therapy sessions is the best indicator of successful outcomes. Multiple meta-analyses of therapy research have consistently shown that the therapeutic relationship is a significant predictor of treatment success, often ranking alongside or above specific techniques. The American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force on Evidence-Based Relationships and Responsiveness concluded that relationship factors like trust, empathy, and collaboration are as crucial as the choice of therapy technique.

Studies have identified specific elements of the therapeutic relationship that contribute to positive outcomes. Therapists who genuinely understand and respond to clients’ feelings foster deeper connections and facilitate healing. Unconditional positive regard creates a safe and accepting environment where clients can explore themselves without fear of judgment. Therapists who are genuine and present in the therapeutic relationship build trust and facilitate deeper self-disclosure. When clients and therapists work together to set goals and choose treatment approaches, they feel more invested in the process and are more likely to adhere to treatment plans.

The evidence strongly supports the idea that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is a critical factor in determining successful therapy outcomes. While specific techniques and client characteristics are important, a strong and positive connection between client and clinician is often the foundation for effective therapy. Every session in therapy with clients will consist of “talk therapy” which includes affirming, validating, empathizing, attunement, presence, patience, calmness, compassion, active listening, problem-solving, motivational interviewing, resilience building, values exploration, trauma healing, relapse prevention, encouraging health and wellness practices, therapist’s limited use of self-disclosure, and character strengths exploration.

Why are you being asked to complete all this work?

The following agencies, boards, and organizations all have specific laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and policies this clinician must adhere to:

  • Vermont Secretary of State
  • Vermont Office of Professional Regulation
  • Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Professionals
  • United States Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  • United States Department of Health & Human Services
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  • Vermont: Commercial Health Insurance Companies
  • Healthcare Providers Services Organization (My Liability Insurance)
  • National Board of Certified Counselors
  • American Counseling Association
  • American Mental Health Counselors Association
  • American Psychological Association
  • American Psychiatric Association

Applicability

Because of the integrative and holistic nature of the program, this therapy program and treatment plan outline covers information that applies to all of my clients, but some of it may not apply to every client’s unique needs or circumstances. This document is detailed, and thorough in its structure, therefore, clients should read it carefully; even the sections that might not apply to them.

Instructions

Please carefully review the information in this PDF electronic book. Each chapter and section will require you to acknowledge your understanding and indicate completion of that section. The task cannot be considered complete unless you have confirmed.

  • Please read the information and subsequent documents thoroughly.
  • Please keep a therapy journal and diary card to track your progress.
  • Please read each section of each document carefully
  • Write down any questions you might have.
  • Sign each document, and the clinician will also sign each document.
  • Complete the documents in order as they are listed in the library of documents.
  • In each document or form, complete the assignments and watch the videos
  • Please practice what you have learned.

Therapy Notes LLC; Therapy Portal; Clinical Records & Medical Chart; Treatment Plan

The PDF of this information will be shared in the client’s clinical chart and is attached to and becomes part of their official treatment plan stored in the electronic health records software. The treatment plan integrated into the software becomes part of every progress note completed by the clinician. In addition to the plan embedded in the software, third parties will also see this document upon request. To see what types of third parties would see this information, please refer to the therapy agreement.