Is everything i tell you confidential?
Confidentiality is paramount to our work together.
For Spiritual Direction, Supervision, Trauma Work, and Hybrid clients:
I will not share with anyone anything you share with me*. I will not tell people that I am your Clinical Traumatologist &/or Spiritual Director &/or Supervisor. I also will not greet you in public, unless you greet me first. It will then be up to you if you want to tell the people around us how we know each other.
* Confidentiality caveats:
I may disclose information if there are compelling professional reasons or as required by law. In situations of clear and imminent danger to you or to others, I may disclose (only) information necessary to protect you or others, and comply with the law. Examples would be plans to commit suicide; revelations of sexual abuse (by someone to you, if recent and requires me to be a mandatory reporter, or by you to someone, especially if there are minor children involved); plans to commit serious bodily harm to another, etc. Before I tell anyone, if feasible, I would inform you about the disclosure and potential consequences, and give you the opportunity to convey compelling reasons why you do not want this disclosed. Additionally, I am required to have ongoing supervision. I may share details of our work together with my supervisor for her input, but always and only with solely your initials instead of your name. I have clients all over the world, plus she is not local to me, so she will never know your identity. Finally, I am HIPAA Compliant. For that reason, every client will be required to review, sign, and return both my HIPAA Email Consent and HIPAA Notice of Privacy, Video, and Telephone Practices forms.
For Organizational / Compassion Fatigue clients:
I will not share with anyone anything you share with me*. I will not tell people that I am your Compassion Fatigue Specialist. I also will not greet you in public, unless you greet me first. It will then be up to you if you want to tell the people around us how we know each other.
* Confidentiality caveats:
All the above. Plus.
I will never tell your superiors or colleagues anything specific about you. The only information I share with them is aggregated (e.g., x # of staff saw a doctor in the past month).
For Spiritual Direction, Supervision, Trauma Work, and Hybrid clients:
I will not share with anyone anything you share with me*. I will not tell people that I am your Clinical Traumatologist &/or Spiritual Director &/or Supervisor. I also will not greet you in public, unless you greet me first. It will then be up to you if you want to tell the people around us how we know each other.
* Confidentiality caveats:
I may disclose information if there are compelling professional reasons or as required by law. In situations of clear and imminent danger to you or to others, I may disclose (only) information necessary to protect you or others, and comply with the law. Examples would be plans to commit suicide; revelations of sexual abuse (by someone to you, if recent and requires me to be a mandatory reporter, or by you to someone, especially if there are minor children involved); plans to commit serious bodily harm to another, etc. Before I tell anyone, if feasible, I would inform you about the disclosure and potential consequences, and give you the opportunity to convey compelling reasons why you do not want this disclosed. Additionally, I am required to have ongoing supervision. I may share details of our work together with my supervisor for her input, but always and only with solely your initials instead of your name. I have clients all over the world, plus she is not local to me, so she will never know your identity. Finally, I am HIPAA Compliant. For that reason, every client will be required to review, sign, and return both my HIPAA Email Consent and HIPAA Notice of Privacy, Video, and Telephone Practices forms.
For Organizational / Compassion Fatigue clients:
I will not share with anyone anything you share with me*. I will not tell people that I am your Compassion Fatigue Specialist. I also will not greet you in public, unless you greet me first. It will then be up to you if you want to tell the people around us how we know each other.
* Confidentiality caveats:
All the above. Plus.
I will never tell your superiors or colleagues anything specific about you. The only information I share with them is aggregated (e.g., x # of staff saw a doctor in the past month).
what about boundaries?
While we will discuss personal things and develop rapport, this remains a professional relationship. We cannot also be friends. Should we decide we’d rather be friends, we can decide together to end the client-provider relationship.
What do You charge?
Please see my page on Equitable Pricing Tiers for a full list of all rates.
For all clients:
For all clients:
- The above rates are effective October 1, 2023. There is an annual rate increase each October 1, corresponding to the type of service you receive. For the Balanced tier, it is a $5 increase for Spiritual Direction and Supervision and a $10 increase for all other services. Tiers above and below are affected accordingly.
- Since I do not follow-up after sessions, to allow people a gracious exit if they choose, I request payment right before or right after sessions.
- To maintain HIPAA Compliance, I only accept payment via check or Square invoices. Let me know before your 1st session which you prefer, and please pay for that 1st session at least 48hrs (ideally 2 business days) prior.
- If paying with Square:
- you do not need an account, just a credit card; I’ll send an invoice on or before the day of our session (I can also charge your card if you’d prefer and authorize that when you pay your first invoice).
- I’ll need to pass along the Square fee to you (use this calculator to see what it is with the fee you’re paying me: http://www.gregledet.net/square.html).
- If paying by check:
- please mail it to me at P.O.Box 38662, Baltimore, MD, 21231
- it is best to send it with tracking info. Baltimore is an underserved city; mail gets lost.
- finally, please make sure that it has the correct amount, both numerically and in words.
- if you cancel with less than 48hrs notice, I’ll still expect payment of the invoice.
- If a 3rd party (your employer, church, friend, or family) covers all or part of my fee, please have them pay by check, either to you (and then I invoice you via Square), or to me directly.
how often and for how long do we meet?
For Trauma Work and Hybrid clients:
Sessions are usually 1hr., but can be longer while we assess your level of trauma. If you first came for spiritual direction, you know we typically meet monthly, to give you space to consider what’s come up. Sessions more frequently can be useful in Trauma Work. Some clients come 1-2 times a week. If you are feeling suicidal, I strongly suggest that you see someone weekly (me, or, ideally, a combination of providers). If you are not suicidal, but in acute need, start with 1-2 times a week and see how that feels. Once you feel (and we both agree) that you have sufficient Safety and Stabilization between sessions, you can move to every 2 or 3 or 4 weeks. Come for as long as it feels fruitful.
For Spiritual Direction and Supervision clients:
We typically meet monthly, to give you space to consider what’s come up. But more frequently can be useful at the start of our work together and/or with a decision you’re making. In that case, we can meet weekly, or biweekly. After 5 or 6 sessions, we will evaluate together how things are going and whether you are finding what you hoped for.
Once we commit to work together, I ask for you to hold this time of holy listening and sharing as sacred. I’d like you to arrive promptly, and try not to cancel (see my cancellation policy, also in this FAQ).
I’d like you to schedule our sessions far in advance, rather than in response to urgent crises. This is for you as well as for me. “You are not primarily [h]ere to focus on ‘special problems.’ These can eclipse awareness of your whole self—surrendering to and resisting the Truth of your unfolding gifted self ... There are times where such problems can reveal this larger process, but it is that larger process, not the problem, that is the focus ...” (Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Friend).
Sessions are usually 1hr., but can be longer while we assess your level of trauma. If you first came for spiritual direction, you know we typically meet monthly, to give you space to consider what’s come up. Sessions more frequently can be useful in Trauma Work. Some clients come 1-2 times a week. If you are feeling suicidal, I strongly suggest that you see someone weekly (me, or, ideally, a combination of providers). If you are not suicidal, but in acute need, start with 1-2 times a week and see how that feels. Once you feel (and we both agree) that you have sufficient Safety and Stabilization between sessions, you can move to every 2 or 3 or 4 weeks. Come for as long as it feels fruitful.
For Spiritual Direction and Supervision clients:
We typically meet monthly, to give you space to consider what’s come up. But more frequently can be useful at the start of our work together and/or with a decision you’re making. In that case, we can meet weekly, or biweekly. After 5 or 6 sessions, we will evaluate together how things are going and whether you are finding what you hoped for.
Once we commit to work together, I ask for you to hold this time of holy listening and sharing as sacred. I’d like you to arrive promptly, and try not to cancel (see my cancellation policy, also in this FAQ).
I’d like you to schedule our sessions far in advance, rather than in response to urgent crises. This is for you as well as for me. “You are not primarily [h]ere to focus on ‘special problems.’ These can eclipse awareness of your whole self—surrendering to and resisting the Truth of your unfolding gifted self ... There are times where such problems can reveal this larger process, but it is that larger process, not the problem, that is the focus ...” (Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Friend).
what other kinds of intensive, individualized services do you offer?
Some clients draw on my background as a writer and editor to help compose important letters, proposals, research projects, articles, books, etc. These (research, writing, editing) are $155/hr., with an annual $5/hr. rate increase (next up: Oct 1, 2023), as they draw on a broad range of expertise. Of course I also use a sliding scale.
Some clients draw on my decades of experience as a nonprofit management consultant. Those sessions or meetings are also $155/hr., with an annual $5/hr. rate increase (next up: Oct 1, 2023). Of course I also use a sliding scale, especially generously for organizations on the frontlines of homelessness.
Other clients like to draw on my experience (personally and professionally) with holistic practices, including elimination diets; while not an alternative for licensed health care providers, I can fill in gaps and deepen the experience (e.g., recipes, prompts around mindful eating and/or reframe the deprivation as an opportunity to expand in other areas).
Some clients draw on my decades of experience as a nonprofit management consultant. Those sessions or meetings are also $155/hr., with an annual $5/hr. rate increase (next up: Oct 1, 2023). Of course I also use a sliding scale, especially generously for organizations on the frontlines of homelessness.
Other clients like to draw on my experience (personally and professionally) with holistic practices, including elimination diets; while not an alternative for licensed health care providers, I can fill in gaps and deepen the experience (e.g., recipes, prompts around mindful eating and/or reframe the deprivation as an opportunity to expand in other areas).
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
I never wanted this, but enough cancellations, no-shows, and other oddities over the years warranted a precise cancellation policy. Most clients understand that, like therapy or doctor’s appointments, I block out time for you and a cancellation literally costs me money. This policy isn’t meant to make you feel judgment or shame. Things come up, sometimes we cannot honor our commitments, I’ve been on the other side of that fee. I understand. I won’t be upset. I won’t take it personally. AND. I could’ve given that slot to someone else who needed it and would’ve paid for it. So. If you must cancel, or cannot show up promptly, please:
● do so with good reason;
● know that I will allow each client (1) no-show or late cancellation without fee, but I will expect you to review this policy then;
● know, after (1) no-show or late cancellation without fee, the only time I will waive the fee is for serious illness or emergency;
● if you’ll be late: email me at least 5min prior, with estimated time of arrival;
● if you’ve been in touch, by email, with estimated time of arrival, and arrive 15-20min late, we’ll meet the remaining 40-45min;
● if you’ve been in touch, by email, with estimated time of arrival, but arrive more than 20min late, you will forfeit your session and be charged the *full fee, via an invoice from Square, on the date of your scheduled session;
● if you’ve been in touch to say you’re cancelling, then arrive anyway, you will still forfeit your session and be charged the *full fee, via an invoice from Square, on the date of your scheduled session;
● if you have not been in touch, with estimated time of arrival, and arrive more than 10min late, you will forfeit your session and be charged the *full fee, via an invoice from Square, on the date of your scheduled session;
● if cancelling, please do so, via email, at least 48 hours (ideally 2 business days) in advance, so I have time to re-book with clients who can rearrange their schedules;
● if not cancelling 48 hours in advance, you will be charged the *full fee, via Square, on or before the date of your session;
● the *full fee: means that even if you pay a sliding-scale fee, you will be charged my full fee ($90 for spiritual direction and supervision, and $135 for trauma or hybrid work, effective February 2022, rising with annual rate increases). I’m so sorry for that, and didn’t add this for yeeeears, but I could have booked a client who both needed it and could have paid full price, so sliding-scale cancellations cost me exponentially more. Obviously, if that’s financially untenable for you, we can work out another fee arrangement;
● and finally, if you are late, do not show, or cancel 3 appointments, I think that’s telling us something, so I will not schedule further appointments with you unless we have a conversation that demonstrates to me that you’re ready to prioritize this process.
● do so with good reason;
● know that I will allow each client (1) no-show or late cancellation without fee, but I will expect you to review this policy then;
● know, after (1) no-show or late cancellation without fee, the only time I will waive the fee is for serious illness or emergency;
● if you’ll be late: email me at least 5min prior, with estimated time of arrival;
● if you’ve been in touch, by email, with estimated time of arrival, and arrive 15-20min late, we’ll meet the remaining 40-45min;
● if you’ve been in touch, by email, with estimated time of arrival, but arrive more than 20min late, you will forfeit your session and be charged the *full fee, via an invoice from Square, on the date of your scheduled session;
● if you’ve been in touch to say you’re cancelling, then arrive anyway, you will still forfeit your session and be charged the *full fee, via an invoice from Square, on the date of your scheduled session;
● if you have not been in touch, with estimated time of arrival, and arrive more than 10min late, you will forfeit your session and be charged the *full fee, via an invoice from Square, on the date of your scheduled session;
● if cancelling, please do so, via email, at least 48 hours (ideally 2 business days) in advance, so I have time to re-book with clients who can rearrange their schedules;
● if not cancelling 48 hours in advance, you will be charged the *full fee, via Square, on or before the date of your session;
● the *full fee: means that even if you pay a sliding-scale fee, you will be charged my full fee ($90 for spiritual direction and supervision, and $135 for trauma or hybrid work, effective February 2022, rising with annual rate increases). I’m so sorry for that, and didn’t add this for yeeeears, but I could have booked a client who both needed it and could have paid full price, so sliding-scale cancellations cost me exponentially more. Obviously, if that’s financially untenable for you, we can work out another fee arrangement;
● and finally, if you are late, do not show, or cancel 3 appointments, I think that’s telling us something, so I will not schedule further appointments with you unless we have a conversation that demonstrates to me that you’re ready to prioritize this process.
What other practical information would be helpful to know?
Sessions will be remote or my office - I will give you the address after you become a client.
I suggest creating time and space to support silence and contemplation. Perhaps: arrange to have the house or office to yourself, hire someone to watch the kids, don’t answer the door, settle into your favorite space, make it a walking session. See my HIPAA Notice of Privacy, Video, and Telephone Practices for more to ensure you have the privacy you need.
At the start of each session, we’ll chat briefly, then I will light a candle.* We will begin with some silence. We’ll begin talking again any time you’re ready. There will be a lot of silence, to allow us each space to hear what’s coming up. (Some say that’s to allow us to hear what the Spirit, the real director, is saying, if that’s your truth. It is mine. It doesn’t have to be yours.)
*the candle is to signal the real start (and close) of our session. Most remote clients have their own candle to make it feel more like we’re in the same room. Please feel free to bring a quote, or begin/end our time together in any way that feels safe to you.
I suggest creating time and space to support silence and contemplation. Perhaps: arrange to have the house or office to yourself, hire someone to watch the kids, don’t answer the door, settle into your favorite space, make it a walking session. See my HIPAA Notice of Privacy, Video, and Telephone Practices for more to ensure you have the privacy you need.
At the start of each session, we’ll chat briefly, then I will light a candle.* We will begin with some silence. We’ll begin talking again any time you’re ready. There will be a lot of silence, to allow us each space to hear what’s coming up. (Some say that’s to allow us to hear what the Spirit, the real director, is saying, if that’s your truth. It is mine. It doesn’t have to be yours.)
*the candle is to signal the real start (and close) of our session. Most remote clients have their own candle to make it feel more like we’re in the same room. Please feel free to bring a quote, or begin/end our time together in any way that feels safe to you.
What is your policy on gifts beyond your stated fees?
It may, as we work together for a while, be tempting to send me gifts, or even to consider including me in your will or as a beneficiary on life insurance or other policies. A number of clients have felt so inclined. While I am deeply touched, and glad that our therapeutic alliance feels so strong to you, I ask that you please keep gifts to a minimum (both in frequency and cost), and please do not include me in your will or as a beneficiary. The latter is mostly to protect you, so that your grieving family does not feel additional pain. If you cannot think of family or friends to select to receive those gifts, then please consider donating them to a local homelessness organization.
WHAT ABOUT CALLS, TEXTS, AND EMAILS?
It will be tempting for us both to send emails with thoughts, requests for further reading, clarification. But in order to hold sacred the space in our sessions, and respect each other’s boundaries, let’s keep this to the minimum. By all means, bring them to our next session. Please also review my HIPAA Privacy, Video, and Telephone Practices; your emails do become part of your ‘Designated Record Set,’ which I could be required by law to disclose.
I will respond to your emails as soon as possible, but it might take up to 4 business days. As a rule, I do not return texts or phone calls, I am a one-woman shop and just do not have the time. If an emergency, call 911, 988 (the suicide and crisis lifeline), or a loved one to take you to your local E.R. or CSU (Crisis Stabilization Unit).
I will respond to your emails as soon as possible, but it might take up to 4 business days. As a rule, I do not return texts or phone calls, I am a one-woman shop and just do not have the time. If an emergency, call 911, 988 (the suicide and crisis lifeline), or a loved one to take you to your local E.R. or CSU (Crisis Stabilization Unit).
