Disclosure Statement for Rebecca M. Fishaut, MSW, LICSW, PLLC
1417 NW 54th St, #334, Seattle, WA 98107
becca@rebeccamfishaut.com
(425) 954-7473
Education and Training
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), license #LW60205276, in the State of Washington. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Women and Gender Studies from Amherst College in 1998 and a Master of Social Worker degree with a clinical major from Boston University in 2002. I have been providing therapy services to clients since 2002, in a variety of settings in New York and Washington States.
My graduate education encouraged an eclectic and client-centered approach, and I have adopted this in my practice. I have received training in a variety of behavioral and cognitive behavioral approaches, mindfulness interventions, and somatic approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. In keeping with my social work education, I also integrate ideas of social justice into my practice.
I have comprehensive training and experience in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and frequently use it in my work. This method, which I have been using since 2004, helps me to help my clients get “unstuck” and move through traumatic memories and responses in ways they haven’t found possible with other approaches. EMDR is an affirming and sometimes surprising approach that uses my clients’ strengths and inner wisdom to help them heal and grow. Further information about EMDR can be found at www.emdria.org.
I regularly attend continuing educational events to keep my practice vibrant and current. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers, The EMDR International Association, and The Washington State Society of Clinical Social Workers.
Treatment Approach
My work with individuals, couples, and families addresses many issues, including trauma, attachment issues, relationship problems, work and school concerns, financial worries, pregnancy transitions and parenting stress, and issues related to physical pain, illness, and aging.
At the heart of my approach is a deep belief in the essential wholeness of my clients, despite their often-overwhelming feelings of brokenness. I bring my authentic self and tuned-in presence into the room each day and use curiosity and intuition paired with my more formal clinical skills to select approaches and tools to help my clients find what they need to feel better and pursue the lives they yearn for. Sometimes the work takes only a few sessions, sometimes the process spans months or years, but my hope and intention is that each session is valuable in and of itself and that my clients leave my office feeling progress each time.
I typically see clients on a weekly basis, though it depends on my client’s needs and scheduling availability. We will discuss our plan for treatment together throughout our work.
Billing and Financial Information
The cost for each 53-minute session is $160, and the cost for each 45-minute session is $140. The initial session is billed at $200, since this session requires additional paperwork and time outside of session on my part. Payment is due at the time of service. I do contract with a number of insurance companies, so a portion or all of your session may be covered. If you’d like to use your insurance, please let me know, and we will make the necessary arrangements. Co-payments, deductible payments, and co-insurance are due at the time of service. If your insurance plan requires pre-authorization or a referral for services, it is your responsibility to obtain this authorization or referral prior to being seen. If you fail to obtain authorization or your insurance does not cover the services provided, any and all charges incurred and not reimbursed will be your financial responsibility.
Late Cancellation and No Show Policy
If you must cancel your appointment, please contact me as soon as possible at (425) 954-7473. This will allow me to offer the available time to another client. If you do not notify me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be responsible for paying a late cancellation fee of $100 for the missed session. If you no show for an appointment, you will be charged $100.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Your privacy and confidentiality are of the utmost concern to me. You will also receive a notice of my practice’s HIPAA policies. I am committed professionally, ethically, and personally to maintain confidentiality regarding our work together. Information identifying you and your healing process is confidential and cannot be disclosed without your written consent. Exceptions to this are: 1) If you are a danger to yourself or others; 2) If the information involves the current abuse of a child, developmentally disabled person, or a dependent adult; 3) If the court requires such information. Should disclosure of you confidential information be necessary, I will work with you as respectfully and directly as possible.
I will share information regarding work together with a specific person (e.g. your doctor) if you provide me with a signed release form asking me to do so.
As an ongoing part of my clinical development and in order to serve my clients in the most skilled, ethical way possible, I participate in consultation with other mental health professionals during which I may discuss my cases. If I discuss our work together, I will do so in a way that protects your confidentiality and privacy, and with the goal of improving my effectiveness as your psychotherapist.
Technology Policies
I use two web-based services, SimplePractice and SpruceHealth, that enable me to communicate with my clients and share documents with them in a secure, HIPAA-compliant fashion. Please use these platforms to communicate with me about any matters that you wish to keep private or confidential. I will provide assistance in using these platforms if needed.
If you contact me by email or text, please note that our email or text communications will not be encrypted. By nature of the inherent limitations of internet security, privacy, and confidentiality of any email communications we have cannot be assured. Email and text should not be used for emergencies or other urgent issues. Also note that I do not participate in social media with clients.
I do provide therapy via telehealth, using SpruceHealth (with Doxy as a backup platform). If the telehealth format is appropriate and desired, we will discuss this, and I will ask you to review and sign my Telehealth Consent Form.
My practice software has the capacity to send out appointment reminders via text, email, or voicemail. We will discuss your preferences for these reminders. You may opt out at anytime by responding to the reminder or by letting me know verbally or via email or message. We will also discuss our method of communication outside of session, though my preference is secure messaging via SpruceHealth. You may opt out of any communication method at any time.
Emergency Situations
In case of emergency, call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or call the Crisis Connections 24-hour hotline at (866) 427-4747. If you have an urgent need to speak with me during business hours, please call me at (425) 954-7473 and leave a message, letting me know that the matter is urgent. If it is after hours or on the weekend, please call 911 or the 24-hour hotline at (866) 427-4747 and then leave a message on my voice mail at (425) 954-7473. If I will be unable to check my messages for more than 24 hours, I will arrange for coverage by another mental health provider. My outgoing voicemail will reflect this coverage.
Client Rights and Responsibilities
In the State of Washington, all persons over the age of thirteen have the right to choose their own therapist and to make their own decisions regarding what kind of mental health treatment is appropriate for them. You have the right to terminate treatment with a health professional at any time. If you have any concerns about your experience in counseling, please discuss it with me. I very much want to make sure that our work together meets your needs. I can only address your concerns about our therapeutic process if I know about them. If you think I have been unethical or unprofessional, you can contact the Washington State Department of Health, Health Professions Quality Assurance at P.O. Box 47865, Olympia, WA 98504-7865 or at (360) 236-4700.
Updated 1/25/2023