Practice Policies & Client Rights
At Obsidian Counseling Services, we are committed to providing a clear, supportive, and transparent therapeutic experience.
Please review the following policies to understand expectations around scheduling, communication, paperwork, and your rights as a client.
Cancellation & No-Show Policy
To respect everyone’s time and ensure availability for all clients:
- Sessions must be canceled between 2 to 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment.
- Late cancellations or no-shows will incur a fee.
If you experience an emergency, please call 210-983-8624 as soon as possible.
Grace Period Before Session is Marked a No-Show
Your therapist will wait:
- 5 minutes for 30-minute sessions
- 10 minutes for 45-minute sessions
- 15 minutes for 60-minute sessions
If you do not join within the grace period, the appointment will be considered a no-show.
Frequent No-Shows
Two no-shows within a 30-day period will result in a temporary pause of future appointments until you contact us to reschedule.
Required Paperwork
All intake paperwork
must be completed before your first appointment can be scheduled.
This ensures your therapist has the information needed to support you effectively and safely.
Initial Session Policy
Your first appointment will always be an
intake session.
This session allows your therapist to:
- Review your history and presenting concerns
- Determine whether your needs fall within their clinical scope
- Establish goals and next steps
If your needs require a referral, we will assist you with appropriate recommendations.
Your Rights as a Client
You have the legal right to:
- Access a paper or electronic copy of your medical record
- Request corrections to your medical record
- Request confidential or alternative methods of communication
- Ask us to limit the use or disclosure of your information
- Obtain a list of disclosures made on your behalf
- Receive a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices
- Choose someone to act for you (e.g., a healthcare proxy)
- File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights were violated
We honor these rights and strive to protect your confidentiality at every step.
Your Choices
In certain situations, you may decide whether we use or share your information. These include:
- Involving family or friends in your care
- Providing information during disaster relief situations
- Participation in mental health treatment decisions
- Communication preferences
- Marketing or fundraising efforts (we do not sell client information)
How We Use & Disclose Your Information
We may use or share your information as needed in order to:
- Provide treatment
- Run our practice and improve care
- Bill and process payments
- Support public health and safety efforts
- Conduct research (when applicable)
- Comply with legal requirements
- Respond to workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other authorized requests
- Participate in legal disputes as required by law
For a detailed explanation of each category, refer to the full Notice of Privacy Practices provided during your intake.
If You Have Concerns or Believe Your Rights Were Violated
You may contact us directly through our Contact Us page or reach out to:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
We will never retaliate against you for filing a complaint or expressing concerns.
