Informed consent for distance consultation

Dr. Malkin is a Massachusetts-licensed psychologist with training and experience diagnosing and treating emotional concerns. Consultation or coaching and psychotherapy may use similar knowledge of behavior, motivation, relationships, and change, but they are different services.

Consultation or coaching focuses on client-identified goals, strategies, performance, relationships, emotional patterns, and personal satisfaction. Psychotherapy is a healthcare service focused on diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Dr. Malkin isn't licensed to provide psychotherapy outside Massachusetts. Remote consultation can't provide continuous emergency support and may need to be supplemented by local treatment, particularly for severe mental-health concerns.

Submitting registration doesn't establish a professional relationship or guarantee an appointment. Appropriateness, location, fit, and availability must be confirmed first.

The fee is $690 for a 50-minute individual consultation, with an annual adjustment of approximately 3–5%. Additional requested professional work may also be billed according to time spent. Payment arrangements are completed through the secure portal.

The fee for a 60-minute leadership consultation is $990 USD. Leadership consultation isn’t psychotherapy or healthcare and isn’t eligible for insurance reimbursement. Organization, team, and ongoing advisory engagements are priced separately.

Dr. Malkin doesn't accept insurance or bill insurers directly. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may submit your own statement for possible reimbursement. Check with your insurer about coverage; reimbursement isn't guaranteed. Cancelled sessions are generally not reimbursed by insurers.

There is currently no availability for a sliding or reduced fee. This can change, and any opening will be posted on the registration page.

To cancel, sign in to your TherapyAppointment account and click Cancel more than 48 hours before the appointment. A message, email, or text doesn't cancel the appointment. Dr. Malkin may not receive such a message in time, and without timely self-cancellation the full fee is charged. Frequent cancellations may require a different scheduling arrangement.

Telephone or video meetings allow consultation without being in the same location and can offer convenience and continuity. They also involve differences and risks compared with meeting in person.

• Privacy: Other people may overhear if you aren't in a private place. Use a private room, secure network, protected device, and headphones when appropriate.
• Technology: Connections can fail, conversations can be interrupted, and stored or transmitted information could be accessed by unauthorized people or companies.
• Crisis response: Assessing and responding to emergencies is more difficult remotely. An emergency response plan and nearby emergency contact may be required.
• Clinical limitations: Nonverbal information can be harder to assess, and distance consultation may not be appropriate for every person or concern.

Use secure portal messaging for administrative communication unless another arrangement has been made. Email and text aren't guaranteed confidential, aren't checked continuously, and must not be used for clinical information, emergencies, or appointment cancellation.

You are responsible for any equipment, software, or connection needed for distance meetings. If a connection fails during an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room before attempting to reconnect. If the interruption isn't an emergency, disconnect and wait two minutes for Dr. Malkin to reconnect through the agreed platform; if no return contact arrives, use the telephone number provided to you.

The website, email, text, portal, and distance consultation service aren't crisis services and aren't continuously monitored. If you are in immediate danger or can't wait for a returned call, contact 911, your family physician, or the nearest emergency room and ask for the psychologist or psychiatrist on call.

For distance consultation, Dr. Malkin may ask for your physical location and a nearby emergency contact and may require authorization to contact that person during a crisis.

Dr. Malkin has legal and ethical duties to make reasonable efforts to protect communications and protected health information. No electronic system can be guaranteed completely confidential. The exceptions described in the governing informed-consent and privacy documents continue to apply.

Information may be used or disclosed without consent where law permits or requires it, including suspected abuse or neglect of a child; suspected abuse of an older adult; health-oversight inquiries; qualifying judicial or administrative proceedings; a serious threat to the health or safety of the client or an identifiable person; and relevant workers’ compensation matters. The exact duties and procedures are governed by applicable law.

Subject to applicable law and the governing privacy notice, clients may request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures; request confidential communications by alternative means or at alternative locations; inspect or obtain copies of eligible records; request amendments; request an accounting of certain disclosures; and receive a paper copy of the privacy notice.

Dr. Malkin is required to maintain the privacy of protected health information, provide notice of legal duties and privacy practices, and follow the privacy terms currently in effect. Policies may be revised as allowed by law, with notice provided as required.

Distance sessions may not be recorded unless both parties agree in writing. Records are maintained in accordance with applicable practice policies and legal requirements.

Services aren't offered for forensic evaluations, custody disputes, court testimony, disability determinations, or matters involving continuing court participation. If legal participation or other requested professional work occurs, additional professional time and expenses may be charged as described in the governing agreement.

Dr. Malkin may decide that distance consultation is no longer appropriate and discuss in-person treatment or referral to a qualified professional where you are located. Professional rules depend on your physical location during each meeting.

If you are outside the United States, email before registering with the subject line “Outside US” so the appropriate next step can be determined.