Clinical Consultation Consent and Practice Policies
Thank you for considering clinical consultation with Rosemary Collaborative Wellness LLC. Choosing to engage in consultation reflects intention and a commitment to growth. This document outlines the nature of our work together, expectations, boundaries, and policies so that we begin with clarity and shared understanding. Please read it carefully and bring any questions to our first session.
General Information
This agreement outlines the policies and expectations for clinical consultation services provided by Catherine McLaughlin, Rosemary Collaborative Wellness LLC. It applies to all consultees unless otherwise specified.
Nature of Services
Consultation is a collaborative, forward-focused process designed to support personal and professional growth. It is not psychotherapy, mental health treatment, or a substitute for counseling, diagnosis, or medical care.
Consultation assumes a foundation of emotional stability and focuses on:
Clarifying goals and values
Strengthening leadership and decision-making
Improving communication and relational effectiveness
Increasing accountability and aligned action
Navigating transitions or life stages with clarity
While consultation conversations may touch on past experiences, the primary focus is present and future-oriented growth.
If at any point clinical concerns arise that would be better addressed through psychotherapy or another licensed professional, I will discuss appropriate referrals with you.
Scheduling & Communication
Sessions are scheduled by mutual agreement. To reschedule, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice. You may contact me at cat@rosemarycollaborative.com with non-urgent matters. Messages are typically returned within 2 business days.
Fees & Payment
Consultation fees will be reviewed during the intake session or within your consultation agreement.
Payment is due at the time of service and may be made via credit card, Zelle, or other approved methods. Credit card payments are processed through Square, a secure payment platform.
If payment is not received for two consecutive sessions, future sessions may be paused until the balance is resolved. You will receive advance notice of any fee changes. Consultation services are not reimbursable through insurance.
Consultation Process & Expectations
Consultation is an active partnership. Results depend on your engagement, honesty, and willingness to take action between sessions.
You can expect:
Direct, thoughtful feedback
Structured goal clarification
Strategic questioning
Accountability support
A respectful and confidential space for reflection
Consultation may surface discomfort as you evaluate habits, beliefs, or patterns that no longer serve you. Growth often requires examining assumptions and experimenting with new approaches.
There are no guarantees of specific outcomes. However, I commit to bringing professionalism, presence, and strategic insight to our work.
Confidentiality
All information shared in consultation sessions will be kept confidential except in the following circumstances:
If required by law
If there is risk of serious harm to you or others
If a court issues a lawful subpoena
Unlike psychotherapy, consultation confidentiality may not be protected under therapist–client privilege laws.
If we encounter one another in public, I will respect your privacy and will not initiate contact unless you do so first.
Professional Background
Catherine McLaughlin is a licensed professional counselor and trained consultant with over 20 years of experience in educational and clinical settings. When functioning in a consultation role, services are provided by Rosemary Collaborative Wellness LLC, as professional consultation, not as psychotherapy.
Professional memberships and ethical standards are maintained through relevant professional organizations.
Appointments & Scheduling
Standard consultation sessions are 50–55 minutes unless otherwise arranged.
Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Sessions canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged the full session fee unless we are able to reschedule within the same week.
If you are late, sessions will still end at the scheduled time.
Failure to schedule sessions for three consecutive weeks without prior arrangement may result in closure of the consultation relationship.
Electronic Communication
I cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media, including text messages. My email address cat@rosemarycollaborative.com is secured by a third-party, HIPAA-compliant provider, Paubox; however, if your email is not secured in the same manner, our communication may not be secure. If you prefer to communicate via email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, I will do so. You may also contact me using my HIPAA-compliant contact button on my website at www.rosemarycollaborative.com. While I may try to return messages in a timely manner, I cannot guarantee immediate response and request that you do not use these methods of communication to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies. I typically respond to emails within 48 hours.
Services by electronic means, including but not limited to telephone communication, the Internet, facsimile machines, and e-mail is considered telemedicine by the State of California. Under the California Telemedicine Act of 1996, telemedicine is broadly defined as the use of information technology to deliver medical services and information from one location to another. If you and I choose to use information technology for some or all of our appointments, please understand that:
(1) You retain the option to withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting the right to future care or treatment or risking the loss or withdrawal of any program benefits to which you would otherwise be entitled.
(2) All existing confidentiality protections are equally applicable.
(3) Your access to all medical information transmitted during a telemedicine consultation is guaranteed, and copies of this information are available for a reasonable fee.
(4) Dissemination of any of your identifiable images or information from the telemedicine interaction to researchers or other entities shall not occur without your consent.
(5) There are potential risks, consequences, and benefits of telemedicine. Potential benefits include, but are not limited to improved communication capabilities, providing convenient access to up-to-date information, consultations, support, reduced costs, improved quality, change in the conditions of practice, improved access to therapy, better continuity of care, and reduction of lost work time and travel costs.
Effective supervision is facilitated when the therapist gathers within a session or a series of sessions, a multitude of observations, information, and experiences about the client. Therapists may make clinical assessments, diagnosis, and interventions based not only on direct verbal or auditory communications, written reports, and third person consultations, but also from direct visual and olfactory observations, information, and experiences. When using information technology in therapy services, potential risks include, but are not limited to the therapist's inability to make visual and olfactory observations of clinically or therapeutically potentially relevant issues such as: your physical condition including deformities, apparent height and weight, body type, attractiveness relative to social and cultural norms or standards, gait and motor coordination, posture, work speed, any noteworthy mannerism or gestures, physical or medical conditions including bruises or injuries, basic grooming and hygiene including appropriateness of dress, eye contact (including any changes in the previously listed issues), sex, chronological and apparent age, ethnicity, facial and body language, and congruence of language and facial or bodily expression. Potential consequences thus include the therapist not being aware of what he or she would consider important information, that you may not recognize as significant to present verbally the therapist.
Social Media & Boundaries
To protect professional boundaries and confidentiality, I do not accept social media connection requests from current or former consultation clients.
Termination of Consultation
Either party may terminate the consultation relationship at any time with notice. I may recommend termination or referral if consultation is not the appropriate service or if engagement expectations are not being met.
If consultation concludes, we may schedule a final session to review progress and clarify next steps.
Acknowledgment
By engaging in consultation services, you acknowledge that:
Consultation is not psychotherapy or medical treatment.
You are responsible for your own decisions and actions.
Results depend on your participation and implementation.
You have had the opportunity to ask questions about this agreement.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with you. Consultation is most effective when grounded in clarity, mutual respect, and shared commitment to growth. If you have questions about any part of this agreement, please let me know so we can discuss them fully.
I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to support you on your journey. If you ever have questions, concerns, or feedback about our sessions or policies, please let me know — open and honest communication helps us make the most of our work together.