Office Policies & Informed Consent

Informed Consent

The information below is meant to provide a general overview of my office policies and how therapy works in my practice. These policies do not replace the informed consent documents that all clients review and sign prior to beginning therapy. Many of these topics are discussed in more detail during the intake process, and I’m always happy to answer questions along the way.

The Therapy Process

The first therapy session is an opportunity for us to determine whether we are a good fit to work together. I believe therapy works best when there is a sense of safety, trust, and collaboration. I will take time to understand what brings you to therapy, your goals, and what you’re hoping for from the process.

If at any point I feel that I am not the best provider to support your needs, I will discuss this with you openly and provide appropriate referrals or alternative options. Likewise, you are always encouraged to share if something doesn’t feel helpful or if you have questions about the direction of therapy. Therapy should not feel mysterious or confusing — transparency and collaboration are important parts of the work.

The length of therapy varies depending on individual goals, needs, and life circumstances. Some clients engage in therapy for several months, while others continue longer-term support. If you have questions about the pace or duration of therapy, we can talk about this at any time.

Emergency & Crisis Situations

Singing Wolf Counseling Services is an outpatient, virtual therapy practice and is not able to provide emergency or crisis services. Therapy sessions are scheduled appointments. Contact sources are not monitored continuously outside of session times.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, feel at risk of harming yourself or others, or need immediate support, please contact one of the following resources right away:

Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 (available 24/7)
Colorado Crisis Services — Call 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255

If you are unsure whether your situation is an emergency, it is always better to err on the side of seeking immediate help.

I encourage clients to identify additional supports outside of therapy, such as trusted friends, family members, or community resources. Therapy works best as part of a broader support system, especially during times of increased stress or emotional distress.

Appointments, Cancellations & No-Shows

Therapy sessions are scheduled in advance and reserved specifically for you. Because of this, I ask that clients provide at least 24 hours’ notice if they need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as missed appointments (“no-shows”), may be charged a cancellation fee, unless otherwise required by insurance. This policy helps protect time set aside for your care and allows me to offer availability to other clients who may be waiting for an opening.

I understand that life happens — illness, emergencies, and unexpected circumstances can arise. If something unavoidable comes up, I encourage you to reach out as soon as possible so we can talk through next steps.

Repeated late cancellations or no-shows may result in a discussion about whether ongoing scheduling is a good fit at this time.

*Cancellation fees are not covered by insurance and are the client’s responsibility.

Communication Between Sessions & Outside of Therapy

Email and secure messaging may be used for scheduling, billing questions, or brief check-ins related to your care. These forms of communication are not intended for therapy or crisis support.

I make every effort to respond to messages within 1–2 business days, during regular business hours. Messages sent evenings, weekends, or holidays will be returned on the next business day. Because I maintain balance and presence for all clients, I do not provide ongoing therapeutic support outside of scheduled sessions.

Social Media & Online Presence

To protect your privacy and confidentiality, I do not accept friend or follow requests from current or former clients on personal social media accounts. Interacting on social media can unintentionally compromise confidentiality or blur professional boundaries.

You are welcome to view my professional pages or website content, but I ask that clients refrain from commenting, tagging, or messaging in ways that could identify them as current or former clients.

*I do not engage in online searches about clients.

Seeing One Another in the Community

Because I live and work in the same community as many of my clients, it is possible we may see one another in public. To protect your privacy, I will not acknowledge you unless you choose to acknowledge me first. If you do say hello, I will respond in a friendly but brief manner.

We can always discuss how you would like to handle potential community encounters during therapy if this is something that concerns you.

If you are experiencing an urgent mental health concern or feel unsafe, please refer to the emergency resources listed in the Emergency & Crisis section rather than waiting for a response.

Confidentiality & Its Limits

Your privacy is very important to me. Everything you share in therapy is confidential and protected by law, with a few specific exceptions outlined below. I take confidentiality seriously and work to create a space where you can speak openly and honestly without fear of judgment or unnecessary disclosure.

Information shared in therapy will not be released without your written permission, except in the following situations where disclosure is required or permitted by law:

If there is a risk of serious harm to you or to others
If there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult
If records are subpoenaed or ordered by a court
If disclosure is otherwise required by law

If any of these situations arise, I will make every effort to discuss the need for disclosure with you beforehand whenever possible.

Because therapy is provided through telehealth, there are additional considerations related to privacy and technology. I use secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms to protect your information, and I encourage clients to participate in sessions from a private, secure location whenever possible.

If you have questions about confidentiality, your rights, or how your information is protected, we can talk about this at any time. Understanding how confidentiality works is an important part of feeling safe in therapy.

Fees, Insurance, & Payment

I believe therapy should be accessible, transparent, and free from surprises whenever possible. Below is an overview of how payment and insurance are handled at Singing Wolf Counseling Services.

Payment Options

I offer private pay services and limited sliding-scale availability for clients experiencing financial hardship. Payment is due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

Insurance

I currently accept a variety of private insurance plans through third-party billing platforms, including Headway, Tava, and SonderMind. These services handle insurance verification, claims submission, and billing on your behalf.

At this time, I do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or Kaiser. I am actively working toward credentialing with select plans and will post updates on the website as additional insurance options become available.

If you choose to use insurance, a mental health diagnosis is typically required by your insurance provider, and coverage decisions (such as session frequency or length) are determined by your plan. While I will always provide clinically appropriate care, insurance companies ultimately control coverage determinations.

Self-Pay Services

Clients who prefer not to use insurance may choose self-pay services. Self-pay allows for greater flexibility and does not require a mental health diagnosis.

If you have questions about fees, insurance, or payment options, I encourage you to reach out. I’m happy to help clarify what options may be the best fit for you.

Diagnosis & Use of Mental Health Labels

Mental health diagnoses can be helpful in some situations and limiting in others. I approach diagnosis thoughtfully and collaboratively, keeping your well-being at the center of the process.

If you choose to use insurance, a mental health diagnosis is typically required by your insurance provider in order for services to be covered. In these cases, I select diagnoses carefully and only when clinically appropriate.

If you prefer self-pay services, a formal diagnosis may not be required. We can still clearly identify areas of concern, goals for therapy, and treatment approaches without relying on diagnostic labels.

A diagnosis is not a definition of who you are. You are more than a code, a label, or a set of symptoms. Diagnoses are tools used for communication and treatment planning—not measures of worth, identity, or potential for healing.

If I believe a diagnosis would be clinically beneficial—even when not required—I will discuss this with you first. You always have the right to ask questions, express concerns, and be involved in these decisions.

My goal is to support understanding and healing, not to define you by a label.

My Qualifications

I am Kirsten Elizabeth Hughes, LCSW, licensed in the State of Colorado. I graduated, with honors, in 2017 from Newman University with my Master's of Social Work. I had two years of formal supervision and obtained my LCSW. I have advanced training in trauma-informed care, EMDR, and a variety of evidence-based therapy approaches.

I work primarily with children, teens, and adults, helping clients navigate trauma, anxiety, ADHD, grief, life transitions, and more. My approach blends compassion, collaboration, and practical tools for emotional regulation, resilience, and self-understanding.

I also provide care that is inclusive and affirming of LGBTQIA2S+ clients, ensuring a safe space where all identities are respected and honored.

Continuing education and professional development are important to me, and I stay current with research and best practices to provide high-quality care.

Concerns & Feedback

I value open communication and want therapy to be a safe, collaborative process. If you ever have concerns, questions, or feel therapy isn’t meeting your needs, please bring it to me. Often, discussing concerns openly helps us make adjustments that improve the process and strengthen your experience.

If Issues Arise

We can talk through conflicts, misunderstandings, or discomfort in session.
Your feedback may lead to changes in how therapy is conducted to better meet your goals.
If you feel I am unwilling or unable to address your concerns, or if you believe there has been unethical behavior, you may contact the appropriate licensing board.

Colorado clients, this is the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. I am happy to provide information or guidance if you need to file a formal complaint.

I am committed to listening to feedback, making improvements where possible, and ensuring therapy remains a safe and productive space for you.

Ending Therapy / Termination of Services

Deciding to end therapy can be a big step, and it’s normal to have mixed feelings about it. I prefer to approach this collaboratively so it feels like a mutual decision whenever possible.

We may discuss ending therapy when:

You have met the goals we set together
You feel ready to take the tools and skills you’ve learned into everyday life
You believe therapy is no longer helping you move forward

You are also welcome to initiate this conversation at any time. If it seems beneficial, I may check in with you to ensure that all goals have been addressed and that you feel prepared for this transition.

Some clients choose to schedule check-in sessions after completing their regular therapy plan. These sessions can provide ongoing support and help maintain progress. Please note that insurance coverage for check-in sessions may vary.

If therapy needs to end for reasons beyond your control — for example, if I am no longer able to provide care — I will do my best to provide referrals and resources to support your continued mental health journey.