You can expect me to do my best to try to understand your problems. If you feel that for some reason I am not understanding your problems correctly, please bring this up with me.

My therapy is usually cognitive-behaviorally oriented.

I take a lot of notes during our sessions, because MCP requires extensive documentation, and to provide a reference point for future care.

I am competent in the use of cognitive psychotherapy and medications for treating psychiatric problems. Please let me know if you have a preference for one over the other. In many cases, both can be used. When I prescribe medication, it is with your consent only.

Many treatments have side effects. You have a right to be informed about side effects of treatments. If I have not explained them to your satisfaction, please let me know.

I set aside an hour for an initial assessment. Routine follow up appointments are scheduled for 15 minutes. We may meet longer if necessary, but when this happens I fall behind schedule. Because this happens more often than not, I am sometimes late for appointments, especially at the end of the day. Chances are, that I will give you more time when you need it too. Feel free to call Bev to find out if I am on schedule.

I don't call in prescriptions in lieu of missed appointments. Because progress on medications needs to be monitored intermittently it is risky to prescribe without my assessing you. I would prefer, if you miss an appointment, that you rebook it before your prescription runs out.

Certain types of services are not covered by MCP and are billable directly to the patient. Some are listed below, along with typical fees I charge:

Missed appointment: New assessment $50.00 Follow up visit $25.00

Letters for social services verifying you are under psychiatric care $20.00

Insurance forms $25.00 per page

Other letters to third parties on your behalf $100.00 per page

These rates have been approved by the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association. Please feel free to discuss these fees with me.

I request that you give me at least 24 hours notice when canceling an appointment, so someone else can use the time. When you attend your appointment I get paid by MCP. If you miss an appointment, I do not get paid, but my office expenses continue. Also, if you call in advance to cancel, another person who is waiting may get an opportunity to come in. When you miss an appointment without cancelling in advance I bill approximately half to the patient and absorb the other half of the loss myself. I think this is more than fair. If you feel being billed for a missed appointment is unreasonable, please discuss this with me.

I would appreciate as much notice as possible if you need a letter or insurance form completed.

If Bev is not at her desk she will have the message manager on and I will receive your message when she returns. I will usually return telephone calls at the end of the clinic unless the problem is urgent.

I take on call for the lockup and for all the adult city hospitals. When I am on call, phone calls and visits to the emergency department may put me behind schedule.

My inpatient beds are at the Waterford hospital. When I am on call I can admit to other hospitals if a bed is available, but I don't provide ongoing care at other hospitals. Because I am a teaching physician, sometimes you may be asked to see a trainee with me or before seeing me. Being an active teacher helps me keep my clinical skills sharp, which will benefit you. Also, it is one way I can give something back to the system that trained me. You always have the right to decline the request to see a resident or other trainee, and doing so will not affect your treatment.

My Schedule: AM PM

Monday Clinic 9:45 - 12:00 Clinic 1:00 - 5:00

Tuesday Waterford Clinic Waterford inpatients

Wednesday Clinic 8:30 - 12:00 Waterford Clinic

Thursday Clinic 8:45 AM - 2::00 PM Waterford Inpatients

Friday Clinic 10:00 - 12:00 Clinic 1:00 - 4:00

After hours there is a psychiatrist on call for emergencies. About fifteen of us take turns on call. This is who you should contact when I am unavailable, by going to the emergency department of the HSC or St. Clare's. If a problem is urgent and I am not at the clinic you can sometimes reach me by paging me at the Waterford Hospital, but I would prefer that you leave a message here.

Browse our books and magazines, but please don't take them home.

Please respect our no smoking policy.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please tell us. We are open to your ideas. Bev is both landlord and office manager!

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