Paul Ryder, Ph.D
19145 King Ridge Road Cazadero, CA 94117
paul@paulryder.com
415.595.9935
Counseling relationship: In an open-hearted atmosphere of safety and compassion, I will guide a process designed to foster your full self-expression and fulfillment in life. The goal of our counseling relationship will be for you to be more aware of and transcend core beliefs and ways of being that hinder your growth and stifle your spirit, thus enabling you to be who you truly are and move toward the goals mostly deeply held.
Privileged communication: Matters you disclose are confidential, except as required by law in cases of child or elder abuse, or where you indicate potential harm to yourself or another.
Potential distress: As a result of counseling, you might become aware of issues that have not surfaced before. The impact of this work might affect the circumstances in your life and relationships with people. It is always a challenge to explore the unknown.
Cancellations and/or missed appointments: Counseling is most effective when meetings are regular and consistent. Please notify me 48 hours in advance if you must change or cancel an appointment, and a week in advance if you must postpone or cancel an extended session (meditation retreat). If you do not notify me within these limits, I will need to bill you. Canceling or not showing for an hourly session will result in the charge for a complete session. Cancelling or not showing for a journey will result in a flat charge of $300. I will make an exception in an emergency.
Sessions are best scheduled and paid for through the website: paulryder.com/appointments.
Phone, Email, Texting: I return calls Monday to Friday, and on weekends if urgent. If you need a reply, please state so. If a crisis arises and you need to talk between sessions, I will not charge for a call less than ten minutes. If a longer conversation is needed, regular, pro-rated rates apply. In such cases, I will let you know as we proceed. Please feel free to email any time to update me on issues we’re exploring. I’m also happy to use email or texting for brief items such as scheduling.
Related work: Our counselor/client relationship is the primary foundation for your work. Please discuss any plans to engage in additional counseling, or to see another counselor.
Physical health: For medicine work, I recommend that you have a complete physical examination when you begin. Also, please notify me of all medications you take and fill out the “Intake and release form - Medicine Work” available on the website at paulryder.com/forms.
Vacations: When I am going to be out of town for any significant period of time, I will provide you with two weeks’ notice whenever possible. In my absence, a colleague will be available for in-person or phone consultations if an emergency arises.
Fees and payment: Appointments are generally weekly and 55 or 80 minutes long. Sessions are $150/200. Extended sessions (meditation retreats) are $650. Depending upon your financial situation, we might agree upon another arrangement. If so, please let me know that circumstances have changed. I review my fees annually.
Completing: Ideally, the decision to complete your course of counseling is one that we will make mutually, gradually, and at a time when our work is nearing a good place to end, or to pause. Such a completion process is an opportunity for evaluation, leave-taking, and closure, which require time. Completion sessions are a chance to tie up loose ends, assess what you have accomplished, preserve that progress, and chart the future.
For these reasons, I ask you to allow at least two weeks to complete your counseling. If, for any reason, circumstances require a sudden decision to end, I ask that we meet for at least one completion session.
I have read the above statements of practices and understand their implications in my counseling relationship with Paul Ryder, Ph.D. Thank you!
