Termination is an important, ideally collaborative phase of the therapeutic process. Clients are entitled, within reason, to an explanation from RFC staff as to the rationale behind termination. While the process of counseling can involve behavioral and emotional challenges, clients and RFC visitors are expected to abide by certain behavioral standards in order to maintain access to ongoing care. Services may be interrupted, paused for reevaluation, or terminated in the event of the following:

• CLIENT INTOXICATION: RFC is unable to provide clinical services to individuals who are confirmed or reasonably suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, illicit substances, abused medications, or other mind-altering or psychoactive substances (including nicotine) during session(s). If RFC staff confirm or reasonably suspect that a client is actively under the influence of and impaired by such substances during session, the session will be terminated and the client required to reschedule. Standard late cancellation fees will apply to any sessions cancelled on account of client intoxication.

• INSUFFICIENT LEVEL OF CARE AND/OR REFUSAL TO FOLLOW APPROPRIATE TREATMENT PROTOCOLS: Occasionally, a clinician may determine that a client may be better served by a referral to additional and/or other services in order to most effectively address their treatment needs. In these cases, clinicians are obligated to discontinue services for clients for whom continuing ongoing, ineffective treatment parameters may prevent them from making otherwise obtainable progress. In these instances, clients will be provided with clinicians’ rationales and recommendations, and supported in the process of either integrating additional services into their existing care plan, or transitioning to other resources as a direct referral. If a client refuses to engage in clinicians’ reasonable and clinically-appropriate treatment recommendations, clinicians are obligated to assess whether continuing in ongoing, unaltered services with the client may be contraindicated and lead to poorer client outcomes. In this case, the clinician may initiate service termination & client discharge while also providing direct referral information so that the client may explore recommended resources (and/or others of their own choosing) at their convenience.

• PROHIBITED USE OF RECORDING DEVICES Clients are strictly prohibited from recording any component of sessions or other therapy-related services (in-person or telehealth). This includes initial phone screenings and/or related communications with RFC support staff working in the administration and maintenance of client accounts. Clients found to be recording any audio and/or video of these or other related events through the use of handheld recorders (including phones or mobile devices), screen- and/or audio-recording technology, smart glasses or other “wearables,” or any other similar device or technology will be immediately barred from future services and discharged.NO ENGAGEMENT IN SERVICES OR COMMUNICATIONS FOR 30 DAYS OR MORE If a client fails to schedule an appointment or communicate with the practice for 30 calendar days or longer, unless other specific arrangements have been made in advance, the client will be discharged. In such situations, clients will be made aware of account closure and discharge via email. Clients may re-engage with services if this occurs, after re-establishing contact with RFC and scheduling an appointment. If a client (active or inactive) anticipates an upcoming extended period during which they will not be actively and regularly participating in counseling services, the client understands that after a period no longer than one (1) year from the last date of service provided by RFC, the client will be automatically discharged. If the client wishes to resume services with RFC after this period, they are welcome to do so by requesting a new appointment and fulfilling any required updates to documentation, client information, or other relevant details.

• INTRACTABLE AND/OR NO RESPONSE TO BILLING ISSUES If clients fail to address any ongoing billing issues in a timely and/or consistent manner, they may be discharged. Such failure includes not maintaining and/or providing a functional payment method on the client account within one week of notice, failing to pay client fees, failure to provide updated insurance information, failure to obtain consents needed for effective billing communications, or any other similar action or inaction that results in protracted and unduly complex billing challenges.

• OTHER AGGRESSIVE AND/OR HOSTILE ACTIVITY: Absolutely no verbal or physical hostility or aggression toward RFC staff or visitors will be tolerated. This includes any manner of threatened, attempted, or enacted assault or other bodily harm, verbal abuse, stalking, intimidation, online harassment, or any other similar behaviors. Anyone found to be directing these or similar actions at any RFC staff or visitor(s) in or out of session(s) and/or while on RFC premises will be immediately expelled from RFC premises and barred from any future participation in any RFC services for life, and will face any and all applicable legal consequences to the maximum possible extent.

If therapy is terminated for any reason or you request another therapist, RFC will assist you in obtaining a referral, either to another RFC therapist or an external provider by providing a list of options.

Upon termination of services with RFC, clients will be notified via email and directed to address any outstanding balance in their accounts according to standard RFC billing policies.