Office Manager
Our Office Manager is Ms. Kathi Wonus.  She's been with us for more than two years, and she knows the answer to nearly any question you can ask.  (On clinical issues, however, her answer will suggest that you speak with your therapist.)  She can inform you about our services, the specialties of Center staff, fees and payment, and so on.  She only makes appointments for Dr. Ward and Ms. Montanez; other staff members manage their own calendars.

Kathi's hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

Fees

• Therapy sessions last an hour, and cost from $70 to $100 as a rule. Some therapist charge more for late afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
  
• Testing: Some staff members get mental health screening tests on their clients. Fees range from $30 - $40 per person.
  
• Phone calls are generally not charged unless they take longer than 15 minutes or are very frequent. 
  

Payment

• Insurance may or may not cover our fees. You should check with your insurance company or employer benefits person.
  
• Payment is expected in full at time of service. If you use your health insurance, we will give you the forms you need to get reimbursed.
  
• Exceptions are sometimes made, but you must speak to your therapist personally to set this up.
  
• Be aware that to use your insurance, you must usually be given a diagnosis of a mental illness.  If there is no diagnosis, you'll most likely have to pay our fees yourself, without reimbursement.
  

Confidentiality
The law:  Our work is confidential by law.  Without your permission, we can't tell anyone anything, including that you're a client. 
Minors: Clients under 16 have no confidentiality of their own. This means that a child's therapist is free to tell his or her parents about the work.
Exceptions: There are other laws that prescribe breaking confidentiality.  (1) Your therapist must informs designated people or agencies if s/he suspects child, elder, or "incompetent adult" abuse. (2) The same is true if s/he thinks a client might harm self or others.  (3) Using health insurance amounts to permission for the therapist to answer whatever questions the insurance company asks.  (4) A therapist can reveal information necessary for a defense against complaints or lawsuits by clients.

Appointments
Dr. Ward & Ms. Montanez:  Our Office Manager, Kathi Wonus, makes appointments for Vince and Amy.  You can call her to make or change appointments.  New clients can make their intake appointments through Kathi.  Your therapist will speak with you by phone prior to your first meeting.
Other Center Staff keep and manage their own appointment calendars.  Call them at the Center's main number to reach them.
Cancellations:  A 24-hour notice is required to cancel or reschedule an appointment without being charged for the session.  This is standard policy for our profession.