Legal Services & Consultations

It can be a scary and overwhelming process to find a clinician to fulfill the requirement of court ordered therapy. Clinicians who are hired for this role are required to provide detailed documentation and may be called to appear in court. If you are seeking these services, there are some important facts you need to know.

• The person you use for this purpose should not be your personal therapist, or your child's personal therapist. 
• The outcome of the therapists findings, and what they report, may not result in a favorable outcome. The therapist can only testify to facts of the case and to their professional opinion.
• Your court will be able to request record of your treatment. 
• The therapist can only answer questions related specifically to what they have been asked to review or evaluate. 
• Offering this service requires dedicated time and attention, which often takes away from a clinician's every day life and can result in the clinician having to take time off work at the last minute to appear in court. 
• Insurance companies may not reimburse for legal fees and as such these services are out of pocket. If your insurance company agrees to reimburse, we can provide invoices for payments received, however you are responsible for getting your reimbursement.
• The fees for court ordered therapy and services is higher because the documentation and work required is substantially more involved and detailed than regular therapy services.
• In order to provide a full understanding of the client, a therapist may request documentation or consultations with a clients school, medical providers, employer, etc.
• It is up to the client, in consultation with their lawyer, to ensure that the clinician they hire will be accepted by the court.
• In situations involving work with children as clients, both parents are equally involved in information sharing, unless determined inappropriate by the court.
• The clinician will not provide direct feedback or recommendations for child custody unless specifically requested by the court.

We provide the following services: court ordered mental health counseling, court ordered substance use disorder counseling 

Confidentiality is different when enlisting services related to court ordered treatment. This is why it is recommended that services not be provided by your regular individual or family therapist. 

When treatment is court ordered, any information required by the court to make a decision in the case can be included in the clinicians report. This includes information related to substance use. Federal law in PA does limit drug and alcohol disclosure, unless ordered by the court.  Disclosure of information provided by the client is limited to information which directly relates to the information being requested by the courts.

The way a client feels at the first point of contact can make or break their desire to engage. It is possible to create a program wide culture that invites clients to feel brave enough to participate in treatment, even before the walk through the door. Our goal is to make your program successful.

We offer specialized consultation for community and corporate mental health and substance use disorder health programs in the state of Pennsylvania. We align with the Department of Health and Human Services initiatives that call on programs to ensure that they are utilizing a trauma focused recovery-oriented model that doesn't include coercive or punitive techniques.

Our consultation services include a focus on:

• Teaching you how to increase engagement with community supports and stakeholders who can assist in creating more positive pathways for your clients. 
• Helping you to build supportive programming that starts in your waiting room and reinforces client engagement.
• Assisting in the development programs, policies and procedures that are supportive of the principles of DEI and a neurodiversity affirming practice.
• Teaching a deconstructed attachment model that builds a secure base for clients to heal, and that keep them involved as supports, even after they complete treatment.
• Listening to the specific needs and wants of staff and clients in order to provide you with feedback that is meaningful and productive. 
• Training on topics related to: clinical theory, DEI, adaptive leadership skills, social justice, attachment theory, cultural competency and humility and more!

 Dr. Amanda Johns, LCSW has had extensive training in understanding the pillars of leadership, education and treatment in corporate and non-profit organizations.  This training includes understanding interdisciplinary dynamics, integration of DEI strategies and program development that increases client engagement and job satisfaction for staff. Amanda brings years of experience as a past Director of a large community co-occurring substance use program, the owner of a successful private practice and as the founder of a non-profit.