Collateral Contact

A collateral contact sits in during a client's sessions but is not seen by the therapist for treatment. This could be a partner, child, additional family member, or supportive friend. A collateral contact will not have access to client/session notes without a Release of Information (ROI) from the identified patient, will not be considered an actual client in therapy, will not carry the diagnosis from treatment, and will not use insurance.

Identified Client

An identified client is the person who is on record as seeing a therapist for treatment. They use insurance and will carry a diagnosis from the therapist. An identified client will have access to client/session notes and have to sign a Release of Information to share with collateral contact, be considered an actual client in therapy, carry the diagnosis from treatment, and use insurance.

How to Get Started:

Step 1: Choose which of you will be the identified client and who will be the collateral contact.

Step 2: Ensure the identified client's insurance covers treatment code 90847 (you would do so by contacting your insurance provider).

Step 3: The collateral contact must sign the Collateral Contact Form, which can be found here.