Confidentiality
We take your privacy seriously. Cousins Island & Psychiatry Services is an integrated care mental health practice. By consenting to our services, you are consenting to release your information to our practice.
Under Maine and Federal Law, communication between clients and their mental health care providers are privileged and confidential. There are exceptions and limitations to protected information and we are legally obligated to report certain information in case of the following:
Serious threats of physical violence to yourself or someone else
Serious threats of substantial property damage
Suspicion that a minor child or incapacitated adult is or has been abused or neglected by you or someone else
Disclosure of previous serious misconduct of another mental health provider
A court order requiring the disclosure of any portion of your mental health records
An investigation by the Maine Board of Social Work or Maine Board of Nursing that requires access to your records
Additionally, your health insurance company is aware of any diagnoses or treatments provided by our practice, including prescribed medications.
If you have any questions about your confidentiality, its limits, or any related information, please never hesitate to ask. We are happy to discuss any concerns with you.
Engagement & Communication Policy
We request that any communication between clients and Cousins Island Counseling & Psychiatry Services be over the phone or by patient portal. Please do not email us with your protected health information, as we cannot guarantee the security of your emails.
Additionally, we do not communicate with clients via social media of any kind as we believe that this type of communication poses a risk to safe boundaries in the therapeutic relationship.
Late Arrival
Psychiatric Appointments: If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will need to reschedule and will be responsible for a $50 fee.
Counseling Appointments: If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will need to reschedule and will be responsible for a $50 fee.
Reschedule/Cancellation
We ask that all appointments, whether counseling or psychiatry, be rescheduled or cancelled 24 hours before the appointment.
Psychiatry: Within 24 hours, you are responsible for a $50 fee.
Counseling: Within 24 hours, you are responsible for the full cost of your appointment.
No-Show: After three no-shows, services may be terminated.
Psychiatry: Within 24 hours, you are responsible for a $50 fee.
Counseling: Within 24 hours, you are responsible for the full cost of your appointment.
Medication Refill Policy
For refill requests, please call the office (207-200-6614) directly at least two business days before your prescription is due. If you leave a voicemail, please know that voicemail will be checked at least once per business day.
Client Rights & Responsibilities
Mental health services are collaborative and require commitment from both the client and practitioner in order to effectively meet your needs. As such, each client who receives care at Cousins Island Counseling & Psychiatry Services is entitled to certain rights and expected to uphold certain responsibilities.
Rights:
Complete knowledge of your provider’s qualifications, training, and licenses.
Access to equitable and fair treatment, without shame, judgement, or stigma.
Privacy and confidentiality.
Safe and comfortable space for any in-person visits.
Access to your medical records upon request.
Right to terminate services at any time and for any reason.
Right to request referral to alternative services.
Right to discuss your treatment with anyone you choose.
Right to make your own healthcare decisions. Under Maine State Law, any individual over 14 years of age has the right to make decisions that affect their health, including mental health. While we are happy to work with family members of clients under the age of 18, we must do so with the knowledge and ongoing consent of the client.
Responsibilities:
Adherence to agreed upon appointment times or timely cancellation or rescheduling (as outlined in policy above).
Collaborative communication with providers.
Remittance of payment in full at the time of your visit.
Timely updates to billing and contact information.
After Hours & Emergencies
Our hours are different each day. If you reach our voicemail, we will do our best to return your call within 24 business hours. If you are having a mental health emergency, please call the Maine State Crisis Line at 774-HELP, call 911, or visit your local emergency department.