Court Policy

Please be advised that the therapists and staff of Landrie H Ethredge Professional Counseling, LLC do not participate in person, by phone or in writing in any court related matter that the client of Landrie H Ethredge Professional Counseling, LLC may be a party to or become a party to in any way. The therapists and staff of Landrie Ethredge Professional Counseling, LLC do not write letters regarding their client’s treatment to any entity, including court. The therapists and staff of Landrie H Ethredge Professional Counseling, LLC at no time will offer an opinion or recommendation in any court matter, especially as it relates to custody.

If a court order is served and is requesting that a therapist of Landrie H Ethredge Professional Counseling, LLC be present in person and or there is a request for records, the client's consent will be requested before turning over confidential information. When obtaining this consent, the client will be told exactly what has been requested by court and there is no guarantee that the information will be kept confidential. This includes a client’s mental health history; current status and inclusive records and may not be in the best interest of the client. The therapist client relationship does not render the therapist as an advocate. The therapist will withhold any opportunity to engage in a dual relationship with the client.

If called to testify in a deposition or court hearing, the client may not discern between information and records provided. All information and records are available for discovery. This may not be in the best interests of the client. The therapist reserves the right to discuss the implications of releasing information and records.

When working with couples, it is imperative that both clients understand that if they wish to access their records during or after completion of therapy, both participants must consent to the release of such records. This also includes court letters and testimony. Both participants must consent to disclosure, otherwise the therapist shall invoke privilege.

When working with minors in the state of South Carolina please be advised that minors at the age of 18 must consent to their own treatment as well as the consent to release their records. As the minor’s therapist, it is the therapists’ ethical duty to inform the minor of the significance of releasing records (both verbally and in writing) as it may or may not benefit them therapeutically.

Court Policy and Fees

Please be advised that should a therapist or staff from Landrie H Ethredge Professional Counseling, LLC be court ordered to appear in court or at a deposition, the fee stipulation is as follows:  · $2,000 per day plus $200 per hour for travel to and from the court.  · $200 per hour for preparation, which includes the time involved in preparation, organization, research, professional consultations, and attorney consultations  · Travel expenses including but not limited to room accommodations and transportation.

Please be advised that should a therapist or staff from Landrie H Ethredge Professional Counseling, LLC be ordered by court to write a letter to the court, the time shall be billed at $200 per hour.

All therapists and staff of Landrie H Ethredge Professional Counseling, LLC will NOT be ON-CALL at anytime. Should a case be trailed, or continued, the therapist or staff will be paid in full for each day as well as an additional $1,000 per day as it hinders the therapists’ or staffs’ ability to be available to their other clients and responsibilities.

Subpoenas

Please coordinate with our office scheduler to ensure that the therapist can be available for the date and time of the deposition or court hearing. The therapist may agree to accept the subpoena via email if agreed upon. Reminder: A subpoena in which the client provided the therapist as a potential witness shall be billed in full for all court related activity.

All court fees must be received by cashier’s check 10 days prior to the court date. Should the court calendar the hearing for another date, the therapist must be re-issued a new subpoena with the new court hearing date.

Should the therapists or interns be on vacation, the party initiating the court order must take reasonable steps to avoid imposing undue burden or expense on a person subject to the subpoena.

By signing and dating below, you understand and agree to the above stated court policy and stipulation, including but not limited to the fee structure for all related court matters.