Practice Policies
🌍 Equity & Inclusion
At Joy Mental Wellness, you have the right to feel respected, safe, and heard in every session. We are committed to providing culturally responsive care that honors all aspects of who you are — including your gender, sexuality, racial and ethnic identity, ability, age, education, religious or spiritual beliefs, and relationship status.
Here, all of you matters.
⏰ Time
Your time is valuable, and so is the time of others. We ask that you arrive promptly for your appointment so you can receive the full benefit of your session. If you are more than 10 minutes late, we may need to reschedule so that sessions remain on track for everyone.
Sessions will finish at the scheduled time, even if they begin a little late. Toward the end of each session, I reserve 5–10 minutes for charting and documentation to ensure your care is accurate and well-supported.
💳 Payments & Insurance
To make payments simple and stress-free, an active credit card will be kept securely on file. All fees are due at the time of service.
If you have out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse part of your costs. We encourage you to contact your plan directly to learn about your coverage. Upon request, I am happy to provide a detailed receipt (called a “superbill”) that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
📅 Appointment Cancellations
We understand that life can be unpredictable. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. This allows us to offer the time to another client who may be waiting.
Cancellations or missed appointments with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur a $25 fee charged to the card on file. We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation, which helps us provide the best care for everyone.
💬 Client Portal & Messaging
The client portal is a convenient way to communicate for scheduling, brief questions, or updates. Please note that messaging is not a substitute for in-person or telehealth treatment.
If messages become frequent or cover complex concerns, I may ask that you schedule a session so we can address your needs more thoroughly. I check messages periodically during office hours, and they are not monitored for emergencies.
For urgent concerns or emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
💊 Refill Requests
To ensure safe and effective care, refill requests are handled for current clients who keep their regular appointments. Please allow 24–48 business hours for a response to refill requests.
Emergency refills are not available, and prescriptions are not called in on weekends or holidays. New prescriptions require an appointment so we can review your care together.
We appreciate your understanding — these guidelines help us provide safe, timely, and consistent care for all clients.
⚖️ Controlled Medications
For your safety, controlled medications are prescribed carefully and on a limited basis.
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Lost prescriptions cannot be replaced, so it’s important to plan travel around your refill schedule.
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Controlled substances cannot be called in out-of-state.
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If there is any concern about medication misuse or abuse, I may need to pause prescriptions and request a urine drug screen to ensure safe and effective care.
These guidelines help us provide responsible, safe, and supportive treatment for everyone.