Hours, Fees, and Confidentiality

Office Days & Hours:
My work days are Monday – Friday, with client appointments scheduled from 9:00am-Noon and 1:00pm - 4:00pm.  I occasionally have appointments on Thursday or Friday at 5:00pm and 6:00pm.  I also offer Saturday morning times by special appointment.

Cancellation:
Since the scheduling of an appointment involves the reservation of time specifically for you, a minimum of 48 hours notice is required for re-scheduling or canceling an appointment. The exceptions are illness or a true emergency. The full fee will be charged for sessions missed without such notification. Insurance does not reimburse for missed sessions.

Fees & Insurance Reimbursement:
I am an out of network provider. Call the mental health department of your insurance plan for details on your “out of network mental health coverage.” Many plans cover anywhere from 30-70% for out of network provider services. I can provide you with a monthly invoice receipt at the end of each month. You can submit these to your insurance claims department so they can reimburse you directly. You may also use these receipts for a flexible spending account or other tax purposes. Please call me to discuss my fee. I accept cash or personal check. I do not accept credit cards. Please make your check out to Diane Cote. If possible, please write out your check in advance so the session time can be used exclusively for therapy.

Telephone & Emergency Procedures:
To contact me, please leave a message on my confidential voice mail at 650-517-3191. Using voice mail is the best way to communicate with me. Texting and e-mail is not confidential. If you are experiencing an emergency and I am not available, please dial 911.

Confidentiality:
All information disclosed within sessions and written records pertaining to those sessions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission, except where law requires disclosure. Disclosure may be required in the following circumstances: a reasonable suspicion of child or elder abuse or neglect, when a client presents a danger to him-herself or to others, or is gravely disabled. Disclosure may also be required pursuant to a legal proceeding. Disclosure of confidential information may be required by insurance to process claims. Only the minimum information will be provided if you submit insurance claims for psychotherapy.

Consultation:
Case consultation is often used to ensure that you get the best possible treatment. Psychotherapists often seek consultation on their cases. If I seek consultation on your case, it will be with full attention to your privacy and confidentiality. The consultant will be another licensed professional who is bound by the same rules of confidentiality that I am.