This document contains important information and policies regarding the peer support services being offered by Dustin LindenSmith.
Risks and Benefits to Peer Support
I use a trauma-informed, harm reduction approach to help support you in achieving your recovery goals. If successful, our work together should help you develop deeper insights into your recovery process and your decision-making habits. Hopefully, our work will also help you cultivate new coping skills that could improve your overall quality of life.
However, there are no guarantees that the support I provide will be helpful for you. Progress may happen slowly, and improvements may not last forever. Occasionally, this type of work can also bring up unpleasant or disturbing emotions or memories which may be distressing during and/or outside of our sessions. In order for you to be successful, this work also requires your active engagement within and between sessions.
Confidentiality
I will maintain your confidentiality and not release your name or other personally-identifiable details to anyone to whom you have not given me written permission.
However, there are some important limitations to confidentiality which are important to understand. I may consult with a supervisor or other professional (e.g. a social worker, psychologist, or another counselling professional) in order to ensure I am giving you the best service I can. In the event that I consult with another professional, I will not release any identifying information.
There are certain circumstances under which I consider myself ethically obligated to release information or break confidentiality, including:
- if you present an immediate risk to the safety of yourself or others;
- if you disclose information that leads me to know or suspect that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected;
- if you disclose that another healthcare professional was verbally, physically, or sexually abusive in their capacity as a professional; or
- if I am required to by court order, subpoena, or other legal action.
In all cases, I will make every effort to limit the release of information only to what is necessary.
Sessions also must not be recorded without the written consent of all parties present.
Children and Youth
I do not provide services to persons under the age of 18.
Appointments and Fees
Scheduling and Cancellation: I meet with my clients by telephone or videoconference. You can schedule your sessions directly with me by phone, e-mail or text message. If you cancel a session with less than 24 hours notice (or if you do not attend a regularly-scheduled session), a $25 cancellation fee will be applied.
Fees and Payments: The fee for my Peer Support and Recovery Coaching services is $75 per 1-hour session, and it is not typically covered by private health insurance. If that rate is an obstacle for you, please contact me directly to discuss other options.
I request payment before the start of each session via Interac e-transfer at dustin@lindensmith.com or via PayPal at this link: https://www.paypal.me/dustinlindensmith. For your convenience, I also offer pre-paid packages of 3, 5, or 10 sessions.
Communication
I try to return phone calls and emails as quickly as possible, generally up to a maximum of 3-4 business days. However, I do not offer crisis intervention support and cannot respond to emergency calls. If you are in a mental health crisis situation, please contact one of the following services or search Google for “Mental Health Crisis Support” in your local area:
- Nova Scotia Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167
- Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or 45645 (text), or call 911, or immediately present yourself to the nearest emergency department
- Nova Scotia Crisis Text Line to access help via text message (24/7): adults text NSSTRONG to 741741, frontline workers text FRONTLINE to 741741
- 811 (dial 811) for non-emergency information about mental health and addictions
- 211 Helplines (dial 211), 24/7 to speak confidentially with a community resource navigator
I do not accept friend/follow requests from clients on any personal social media.
Consent to Services
Before our first session, I will review this information with you to confirm that you understand this document and freely agree to its terms. You are also hereby informed that you may freely revoke your consent at any time.