Policies & Practices

Confidentiality

At Prickly Pear Therapy, we prioritize your privacy and the confidentiality of your information. All information shared during therapy sessions is kept strictly confidential, as mandated by ethical guidelines and state laws. There are certain legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, such as:  

• Duty to Warn: If a client poses a serious threat of harm to themselves or others, we are legally obligated to take steps to protect them and others.  
• Child or Elder Abuse: If we suspect child or elder abuse or neglect, we are required by law to report it to the appropriate authorities.  
• Court Order: In rare cases, a court order may require us to disclose certain information.  

We will always discuss these limits of confidentiality with you during our initial session and answer any questions you may have.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that life can be unpredictable and sometimes appointments need to be rescheduled. We kindly request at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer the time slot to another client who may be waiting for an appointment.  

Late cancellations or missed appointments may be subject to a fee. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule your appointment.  

Session Information

• Session Length: Standard therapy sessions are 50 minutes. Initial consultations are 60 minutes.
• Frequency: Sessions are typically held weekly, especially at the beginning of therapy. As you progress, we may adjust to bi-weekly or monthly sessions.
• Telehealth Options: We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions for clients who prefer telehealth or cannot attend in-person.

Insurance & Payment

We are in-network with the following insurance providers:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Centennial (Medicaid)
• Presbyterian Turquoise (Medicaid)
• United Healthcare Centennial (Medicaid)
• Tricare HNFS (Health Net Federal Services)
• Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO Commercial Plan
• Presbyterian Commercial Plan
• United Healthcare Commercial Plan
• Medicare

Please bring your insurance card to your first appointment so we can verify your benefits. While we handle insurance billing, you are responsible for any co-pays, deductibles, or services not covered by your insurance.

Self-Pay Options

For clients without insurance coverage or who choose not to use insurance, we offer self-pay rates. Payment is due at the time of service via credit card, HSA/FSA cards, or electronic payment methods. Please contact us for current self-pay rates.

Electronic Communication

• Email & Text: We use email and text primarily for scheduling and brief administrative communications. These methods are not entirely secure and should not be used for sharing sensitive personal information.
• Patient Portal: For secure communications including sharing documents and forms, we use a HIPAA-compliant patient portal system.
• Response Time: We strive to respond to all communications within 24 business hours Monday through Friday.

Crisis and Emergency Service

We are not an emergency service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis:

• Call 988 (National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
• Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
• Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
• Contact the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line: 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474)

Please notify us of any emergency situations as soon as possible so we can provide appropriate follow-up care.

Good Faith Estimate

Under the No Surprises Act, healthcare providers are required to provide a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges for services to individuals who are uninsured or self-pay. You can request a Good Faith Estimate at any time, and we will provide it to you in writing.  

Other Important Information

• Therapy is a collaborative process. We believe that the therapeutic relationship is essential for healing and growth, and we are committed to working collaboratively with you to achieve your goals.  
• We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment. We strive to create a space where you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings without judgment.  
• We are here to support you on your journey to healing and growth. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

If you have any questions about our policies or practices, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to support you on your journey to healing and growth.