Melissa J. Kennedy, PhD

206-619-9833

Washington State License: PY#3822

Northgate Executive Center Cherry Hill Office

155 NE 100^th Street, Ste. 220 105 14^th Street, Ste. 120

Seattle, Washington 98125 Seattle, Washington 98122

Thank you for contacting my office about obtaining psychotherapy services. You are responsible for choosing the provider and treatment that best suits your needs. To help you with that decision, this general description of my qualifications and approach to psychotherapy, as well as a listing of office policies, are presented. Please read these policies carefully, ask me to clarify anything which you do not understand, and sign the consent form to indicate your understanding and agreement.

I received my Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology from Seattle University and my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Seattle Pacific University. My clinical training included over five thousand hours at local community health organizations providing psychotherapy to a wide variety of adults, families, couples, and adolescent clients. In addition, my past experience includes cross-cultural counseling and education, crisis intervention, as well as grief and bereavement counseling. I have worked extensively with adolescents, as well as adult populations. I provide individual, couples and family therapy.

My treatment approach is based on your individual needs and goals. While I do not utilize a single approach to all cases, my work is based on an understanding of existential, interpersonal and neurological principles. Cognitive and behavioral principles are considered best practices for certain issues and will be utilized when appropriate. We will work together to address the concerns and issues that you bring into therapy. As partners in your care, treatment goals and progress will be jointly developed and revised on an ongoing basis.

Effective psychotherapy requires openness, an attitude of collaboration and your commitment to invest time and effort in working toward personal change. The success of therapy cannot be guaranteed because the outcome is, in part, your responsibility. In order to meet your treatment goals, it is your responsibility to communicate honestly and participate actively, both during and between our sessions. My responsibility is to do my best to provide psychological services tailored to your needs. I agree to utilize my experience and education to work with you productively and to perform my services in a professionally competent manner.

If you have concerns about the course of evaluation and/or therapy, please discuss them with me. In addition, you may contact the Department of Health, Professional Licensing Services. I am a licensed psychologist in the State of Washington, and my license number is #3822. You always have the right to request a change of therapy, referral to another provider, or to discontinue treatment.
Psychotherapy Appointments

Initial assessment interviews are scheduled for 85 minutes. Subsequent individual therapy sessions are scheduled for 55 minutes. Couples or family sessions are recommended for 85 minutes. My customary fee for a 55-minute session is $165.00 per session; 85 minute sessions are $265.00. I do accept a limited number of sliding scale clients who are charged for services based on their income.

Initial assessment interviews are scheduled for 85 minutes and often include the individual being assessed, as well as other family members who provide history, details, and collaborative information about the areas being assessed. Subsequent sessions are billed hourly for testing and report writing. My customary fee for 85 minutes is $265.00. Testing and report writing is billed at an hourly rate of $165.00. Some insurance panels will pay require pre-authorization for testing and assessment services.

I keep a record of the services I provide for you, including dates and written notes regarding our sessions. You may ask to see, copy, or correct this record, or ask me to correct it. Your participation in therapy and the content of our sessions are treated as confidential information. By law, information concerning our professional relationship can only be released with your written permission (unless you are under 13, and then only with your knowledge and your parent’s or guardian’s consent). In certain situations, however, Washington law requires disclosure of confidential information to appropriate sources without your permission:

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  If you become unable to care for yourself, threaten dangerous action or bodily harm to yourself or another, it is my responsibility to warn the person or family of that person against whom the threat of harm is directed or the family of the person threatening self-harm and/or the appropriate authorities.
  
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  If I become aware of currently existing physical or sexual abuse of a child, elderly adult or physically or mentally disabled person, I must notify the proper protective authorities.
  
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  If I am served with a court order to release my records, I will vigorously endeavor to protect sensitive information by working with the court to minimize or eliminate their requirements. The court, however, will be the final arbiter of what is released to them.
  
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  When you give written consent to have information released to a third party, I will do so.
  
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  I regularly consult with qualified colleagues in order to provide the best service possible. When specific cases are discussed, withholding names and other identifying information protects clients’ identities.
  

Seattle can seem a small city at times, and there is the possibility that you and I may run into each other in public spaces. Should this happen, I will allow you to take the first step in any communication between us. I will not acknowledge that I know you, as I do not wish to violate your privacy regarding our relationship. I will not be offended if you do not similarly acknowledge knowing me.

In the event of an emergency situation and an immediate need to reach me, please telephone my 24-hour answering service at 206-623-5925. The service is available seven days a week and holidays. They will endeavor to reach me as quickly as possible, and I will return your call immediately.