Site Content

Informed Consent  

Therapist’s Name: Dr. Charles Greene, DBH, LPC, ACS, BC-TMH 

Office Address: 323 Pine Ave Suite 113, Albany, GA 31701 

P: (229) 355-3065 

F: (229) 518-1602 

Email: drgreene@metacognitive-strategies.com

Welcome! To begin your counseling journey, this form will provide you with information on your clinician's credentials, the process of counseling, confidentiality, emergencies, and other details about your treatment. At any time during your treatment, please feel free to ask any clarifying questions.

Credentials

Licenses: 

Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia, LPC010556 

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Out-of-State Telehealth, TPMC150

Link to verify your clinician's license:

Georgia - http://verify.sos.ga.gov/verification/

Florida - https://appsmqa.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Telemental health/LicenseVerification?LicInd=171&ProCde=9646

Certifications: 

Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), 3443

Board Certified-Telehealth Provider (BC-TMH), 2079

Counseling experience (as of 2026): 

11 years 

Education:

• Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH), Arizona State University

• Master of Arts in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, Adams State University

• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, American Military University

Theoretical orientation

Your therapist integrates Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) with radical acceptance approaches mental health treatment through a unique lens. This orientation combines cognitive restructuring and emotional acceptance, offering clients a comprehensive way to navigate their challenges.

Core Components of This Orientation

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
REBT is based on the premise that irrational beliefs lead to negative emotions and maladaptive behaviors. By identifying and disputing these beliefs, clients can change their emotional responses and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

• Individuals are often responsible for their emotional wellbeing.
• Thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes significantly affect feelings and behaviors.
• Challenging irrational beliefs leads to positive behavioral changes.

Radical Acceptance
Radical acceptance is the practice of accepting reality as it is, rather than how one wishes it to be. This concept, rooted in mindfulness, allows individuals to embrace their current situations with compassion and without judgment.

• Acceptance does not equal approval; it's about acknowledging reality without resistance.
• It fosters emotional resilience by alleviating suffering caused by denial or resistance.
• Clients learn to coexist with difficult feelings rather than attempting to eliminate them.

How This Orientation Works in Therapy

Identifying and Challenging Irrational Beliefs
The therapist assists clients in recognizing irrational thoughts that may contribute to emotional distress. By employing the ABCDE model of REBT, clients can examine their beliefs, dispute them, and replace them with more rational alternatives.

Incorporating Radical Acceptance
Alongside cognitive restructuring, the therapist emphasizes radical acceptance. Clients are encouraged to accept difficult emotions and situations as they are. This acceptance allows them to respond to challenges with clarity and intention rather than frustration or avoidance.

Fostering Emotional Resilience
The combination of REBT and radical acceptance promotes resilience. Clients learn to embrace their thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed by them. This understanding helps reduce anxiety and fosters a greater sense of control over their emotional lives.

Building a Pathway to Change
By integrating these two approaches, the therapist guides clients in developing action plans to address their concerns while fostering acceptance of the aspects that cannot be changed. This balance helps clients move forward in a meaningful way.

Benefits of This Theoretical Orientation

Therapists utilizing REBT with a focus on radical acceptance offer clients a robust framework for understanding and managing their emotional lives. This orientation encourages:

• Empowerment: Clients learn they can change their responses to situations while also accepting what cannot be changed.
• Improved Coping Skills: By combining cognitive and emotional strategies, individuals gain tools to better navigate life's challenges.
• Increased Self-Compassion: Radical acceptance fosters a compassionate view of oneself, reducing self-criticism and shame.

Psychotherapy is a valuable treatment option for many individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges. However, like any form of intervention, it comes with its own set of benefits and potential risks.

Benefits of Psychotherapy

Emotional Support
Having a trained professional to talk to provides a safe space for expressing feelings, helping individuals feel heard and understood.

Personal Growth
Psychotherapy encourages self-exploration, allowing individuals to understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors better, ultimately leading to personal development.

Coping Strategies
Therapists equip clients with tools and techniques to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues, enhancing overall resilience.

Improved Relationships
Therapy can help individuals improve their communication and conflict-resolution skills, leading to healthier relationships with family, friends, and partners.

Behavior Change
Through cognitive restructuring and behavioral techniques, psychotherapy can facilitate significant changes in thinking and behavior, promoting healthier patterns.

Enhanced Self-Esteem
Individuals often experience boosts in self-esteem and self-acceptance as they work through personal issues in therapy.

Long-Term Solutions
Therapy can address the root causes of problems rather than just symptoms, leading to long-term emotional well-being and stability.

Risks of Psychotherapy

Emotional Discomfort
Exploring painful memories or emotions can lead to temporary distress; clients may feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed during the process.

Dependency
Some individuals may become overly dependent on their therapist for support, which can inhibit personal growth and self-reliance.

Quality of Care
There can be variability in the quality and effectiveness of therapy depending on the therapist's training, experience, and approach. A poor fit between therapist and client may hinder progress.

Misinterpretation of Feelings
Sometimes, therapy can lead to misunderstandings about emotions or situations, potentially resulting in increased anxiety or confusion.

Stigmatization
Some individuals may face societal stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment, which can deter them from getting the help they need.

Cost and Accessibility
Psychotherapy can be expensive, and not everyone has equal access to quality mental health care, which can limit its benefits.

Unresolved Issues
In some cases, therapy may bring unresolved issues to the surface without providing a clear resolution, potentially leaving individuals feeling more lost.

Clients play a crucial role in the effectiveness of psychotherapy. While therapists facilitate the process, clients have certain responsibilities that enhance their therapeutic experience and outcomes.

Engagement and Participation
I respectfully request clients to actively engage in the therapy process by participating in discussions, sharing thoughts and feelings, and being open to exploring new perspectives.

Honesty and Transparency
I respectfully request clients to be truthful about feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Please  express any concerns, reservations, or experiences that might affect the therapeutic experience.

Commitment to Attendance
I respectfully request clients to regularly attend scheduled sessions to building momentum and continuity in therapy. Missing sessions can hinder progress and disrupt the therapeutic relationship.

Openness to Feedback
I respectfully request clients be receptive to feedback from their therapist, which can provide valuable insights and facilitate personal growth.

Setting Goals
I respectfully request clients to collaborate with the therapist to set realistic and achievable goals for therapy. This helps to guide the sessions and measure progress over time.

Willingness to Change
I respectfully request clients be prepared to make changes based on insights gained in therapy, applying coping strategies, and techniques discussed during sessions to their daily lives.

Self-Reflection
I respectfully request clients to engage in self-reflection outside of therapy sessions; this can enhance the therapeutic process. Clients may benefit from journaling or considering their thoughts and behaviors between sessions.

Confidentiality Respect
While therapists uphold confidentiality, I respectfully request clients also respect the privacy of content mentioned in therapy discussions, fostering a safe space for sharing.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of psychotherapy, ensuring that clients can share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or disclosure. The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics outlines important guidelines regarding confidentiality and record keeping to protect client privacy and foster trust. 

Definition
Confidentiality involves keeping all information shared during therapy private. Therapists are ethically and legally obligated to protect client information.

Client Rights
Clients have the right to understand what information is kept confidential and the limits of that confidentiality. This includes being informed about:

• The therapist’s policies on confidentiality.
• Situations where a therapist may be legally required to break confidentiality (e.g., imminent risk of harm to self or others, child/elder abuse, or court orders).

Therapist Responsibilities
According to the ACA Code of Ethics:

• Therapists must take specific steps to safeguard confidential information.
• They should discuss the limits of confidentiality with clients at the outset of therapy, ensuring clients understand how their information will be used.

Maintaining Records
Therapists are required to maintain accurate and secure records of each client’s treatment. This includes:

• Intake forms.
• Session notes.
• Progress reports.
• Any other relevant documentation.

Client Access
Clients have the right to access their records upon request. Therapists must inform clients about the process for reviewing their records, including any potential limitations (e.g., information that might be harmful to the client).

Protecting Records
The ACA emphasizes that therapists must use appropriate measures to protect client records from unauthorized access. This includes:

• Storing records securely (e.g., locked files, secure electronic systems).
• Restricting access to records to authorized personnel only.

Ethical and Legal Compliance Social Media and Everyday Life
Therapists must comply with relevant laws and ethical standards regarding record keeping, ensuring that documentation is not only accurate but also reflective of the client’s treatment journey.

Social Media and Everyday Life

For your privacy and security, please do not contact your therapist through social media messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger or Twitter. These platforms lack adequate security measures, and therapists cannot monitor them consistently for important client messages. Outside of the therapeutic context, therapists will not initiate contact or acknowledge the professional relationship. Should you choose to initiate contact, therapists will respond respectfully. If you are accompanied by someone with whom you do not wish to disclose the therapeutic relationship, please rest assured that therapists will keep the interaction brief and maintain your confidentiality.

Boundaries

In accordance with the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, specifically Section A.5, therapists are prohibited from engaging in any sexual or romantic relationships with current or former clients. Additionally, therapists cannot enter into counseling relationships with friends, family members, or individuals with whom they have had past sexual or romantic relationships, regardless of the time elapsed since that relationship.

Response Time

I typically check messages multiple times throughout the day; however, please understand that there may be occasions when I cannot respond as quickly as you’d prefer. You can expect a response within 24 hours on weekdays and 72 hours on weekends.

Emergency Contact

My practice provides non-emergency therapeutic services through scheduled appointments. If you require more intensive support, I may refer you to another organization equipped to provide the necessary services. Please address non-urgent concerns during our regular therapy sessions. In case of an emergency or mental health crisis, please take the following actions:

• Georgia & Florida: Call 911
• Georgia: Contact the 24-Hour Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225
• Georgia & Florida: Call the National Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7
• Georgia & Florida: Visit your nearest emergency room

Couples Counseling

Please note that I do not offer couples counseling services.

Children and Young Adult Counseling

I do not provide counseling services to individuals under the age of 18.

Structure of Sessions and Cost

Your therapist offers counseling services through face-to-face (in-person), video conferencing, and phone sessions. Telehealth encompasses all forms of therapy provided remotely. If your counseling needs are appropriate for telehealth, you may receive services exclusively through one medium or a combination of these options. Sessions typically last 50 minutes, although this duration may vary based on individual circumstances.

For face-to-face (in-person) appointments, please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time, as your therapist does not maintain a designated waiting area. If you are accompanied by someone, please keep this in mind. In telehealth sessions, your therapist will begin by verifying your current location, that you are alone, and safe. This step is crucial for addressing potential emergencies. 

*Please note that your therapist cannot conduct sessions if you are driving or in a moving vehicle. In such cases, the session will need to be rescheduled.

The fee for services is $80 - $120 per session for clients paying out of pocket, with a general estimate of $100 per session for a treatment course lasting 10-20 sessions, based on a standard duration of 50 minutes. For clients utilizing insurance, please be aware that the cost per session will be determined by your insurance provider, which may differ from the self-pay rates mentioned above. In accordance with the No Surprises Act, if your therapist is not considered in-network with your insurance plan, your therapist will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs for the duration of your care. This helps prevent unexpected medical bills and enables you to make informed decisions about your treatment. Please contact your insurance company for specific coverage details and any potential copayments or deductibles.

Pro Bono Services

In alignment with the ACA's encouragement for counselors to contribute to society, your therapist may offer, when possible, complimentary face-to-face and telehealth sessions for established clients who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to therapy but may not be able to afford standard fees due to temporary financial difficulties.

Possible Limitations of Telehealth

It is essential to acknowledge that telehealth is not intended to serve as a substitute for in-person counseling or medication management by a physician. While telehealth offers various advantages, it also presents certain limitations, including:

• Potential lack of visual and/or audio cues, which may contribute to misunderstandings.
• Possible disruptions in service quality due to technological issues.
• Inappropriateness in situations involving crises, acute psychosis, or suicidal or homicidal ideation.

If there is any concern regarding the interpretation of statements made by your therapist, addressing the situation with a mindset of positive regard and seeking clarification can help mitigate misunderstandings.  

Termination and Referral Policy

As a client, you possess the right to terminate the therapeutic relationship at any time and to seek a different therapist as needed. Your therapist also retains the right to terminate the therapeutic relationship under certain circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Determining that your condition is not suitable for telehealth.
• Identifying inappropriate boundary issues.
• Mutually agreeing that you have achieved your therapeutic goals and no longer require ongoing counseling.
• Identifying that your therapeutic needs exceed areas of expertise.
  If particular issues emerge during your sessions, your therapist may refer you to another qualified therapist. 

Statement Regarding Ethics, Client Welfare and Safety

All services will be provided in a professional manner consistent with the ethical standards established by the American Counseling Association (ACA). If at any point you feel that your therapist is not conducting your session ethically or professionally, please communicate your concerns immediately. If your concerns are not addressed satisfactorily, you may submit a formal complaint in writing to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists at 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217-3858, or online at: http://verify.sos.ga.gov/verification.