Policies

Your satisfaction is very important to me. For you to have the best appointment possible, I expect all my patients to read and abide by these policies.

If you have any questions, or if you have circumstances that you feel deserve special consideration, please let me know as soon as possible. I look forward to working with you!

  • As a licensed healthcare provider, I am following California’s required Covid-19 protocols. Mask-wearing requirements have not changed for healthcare settings.

    For all in-person appointments — whether in my office or at your home — all individuals over age 2 must wear a mask at all times, regardless of vaccination status.

    Telehealth appointments are available for anyone who:

    • Prefers to not wear a mask

    • Does not feel comfortable with an in-person healthcare visit

    • Lives outside the San Francisco Bay Area

  • I require at least 48 hours’ notice for any cancellation or rescheduling. To cancel or reschedule an appointment, you may do any of the following:

    • Use the “Change Appointment” link in your confirmation email.

    • Call me at 415-799-1046 anytime and leave a message.

    • Email me at arlene@arlenecavanpt.com.

    Fees

    Patients agree to pay the following fees, charged to their credit card on file, if they cancel or reschedule within these timeframes:

    • Less than 48 hours before the appointment: 50% of session fee

    • Less than 2 hours before the appointment: 100% of session fee

    • No-show: 100% of session fee

    Appointment reminders

    My booking system sends reminders (email and SMS/text) 72 hours before the appointment so that you have ample time to reschedule, if needed, before the 48-hour window begins.

    Reminders are also sent 24 hours before the appointment as well as the day of.

    Although I send these reminders as a courtesy, it is ultimately up to you to remember your appointment.

  • Telehealth (virtual) appointments are conducted via HIPAA-compliant secure video.

    Your confirmation email will contain a link to your telehealth session with me. You are responsible for joining the appointment at this link.

    Please plan to connect five minutes early to ensure there are no technical difficulties and that you receive your full session time. If you arrive late, you will receive whatever time remains of the appointment, and you are still responsible for the full session fee.

    Make sure you have a secure, stable internet connection and that you will be in a location where you feel comfortable talking about your health concerns.

  • Intake forms

    Intake forms are available online and must be completed at least 24 hours before your first visit. Otherwise, we’ll have to take time out of your session to fill them out. (Unfortunately, arriving 15-20 minutes early is not an option at this time due to Covid-19 protocols.)

    Guests accompanying you

    You are welcome to bring a loved one with you to your appointment. If the session is taking place in my office, your guest will be in the treatment room with us, as they unfortunately cannot stay in the waiting room due to Covid-19 protocols.

    Given the nature of the therapy provided in my office, and to maintain the therapeutic environment for everyone in the clinic, any children accompanying you must be able to quietly entertain themselves during your session. (Babies are welcome!)

    Partners/spouses may need to leave the room for a brief moment as part of normal intake procedures.

    No fragrances

    Please arrive to your appointment clean and fragrance-free. This includes perfume, lotion, essential oils, hair products, smoke odors, body odors, etc. Please do not smoke immediately before your appointment.

    Communicating your needs

    To receive the best session possible, you must communicate your needs, preferences, requests, or feedback to me at any time before, during, or after your appointment.

    Tell me right away if you feel unwell, uncomfortable, or distracted at any time during the session so that adjustments can be made.

    Appropriate conduct

    Comments, requests, or conduct of a romantic or sexual nature are not tolerated and will result in immediate ending of the session. You will be responsible for paying the full session fee.

    Not honoring these policies

    I reserve the right to cancel, reschedule, or discontinue any session at any time, for reasons including but not limited to:

    • Patient shows signs of intoxication (alcohol or other substances).

    • Safety concerns arise for patient or therapist.

    • Distractions are preventing the patient from being fully present during the session.

    • Patient or their guests are not abiding by the above policies.