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What Clients Say About Dr. Zimmerman...

"You said something that made a difference in my life. I can't tell you how much that meant to me."
-an individual

"My husband and I have been involved in lots of counseling type situations, and this is the first time I ever felt supported by a counselor. We need more counselors like you."
-a stepfamily member

"I was especially impressed with you being helpful for this woman. The person truly appreciated it. And I am sure that will give her a new grip on life."
-a physician

"I believe the ripple effect you initiated in my life will reach many others. Thank you for making a difference in my life."
-a domestic abuse victim

"Thank you for your time with us! I did learn a lot of other things, even for the short time we talked."
-a family member

"Despite my physical disability, you are one of the first individuals I knew that really believed in my abilities."
-a student

 

 


About Dr. Jill Zimmerman


Dr. Zimmerman was the director of Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic Abuse from 1985 - 1992, and the executive director at Children Are People Support Groups, an organization serving children from chemical-abusing families, from 1992 - 1999. In addition, she is a facilitator with the EMDR Institute, and an associate with Crisis Management International. Her doctorate is in Human Services with a Master's in Counseling and Guidance.

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Self Disclosure Statement

 

I am pleased you have selected me as your counselor. Counseling is a very personal shared interaction between two people and should not be entered into lightly. This document is designed to 1) inform you about my background, 2) insure that you understand our professional relationship, and 3) let you know what you can expect from counseling.

 

Qualifications and Experience:

My highest degree is a Ph.D. in Human Services (Marriage and Family emphasis) from Walden University in Minneapolis. I also hold a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Guidance. I am licensed in Wisconsin both as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counselor. In addition, I am certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors and also as a Family Life Educator with the National Council on Family Relations. I have taken both Levels I and II trainings for the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) procedure. I've lectured and given workshops, as well as published a number of articles on counseling topics.

 

Nature and Purpose of Counseling:

Counseling is a cooperative effort to help individuals deal with life situations. I believe clients have the capacity to resolve their own problems with my assistance. I feel that as people become more accepting of themselves, they are more capable of finding happiness and contentment in their lives. However, self-awareness and self­-acceptance are goals that sometimes take a long time to achieve. Some clients need only a few sessions to achieve these goals, while others may require months or years of a counseling relationship. If counseling is successful, you should feel that you are able to face life's challenges in the future without my support or intervention.

 

I strive to provide a supportive atmosphere and may suggest other resources, options, skills, or behavioral exercises for you to consider. At your request, psychological tests can be used as tools for further exploration. Information concerning the costs, purposes, and results of tests will be discussed with you. Counseling can be more beneficial if you are willing to work on issues outside of our office meetings. Therefore, I may ask that you do specific activities and/or read certain books between sessions. This will help to facilitate the time it takes for you to work out your concerns and problems.

 

Although our sessions may be very intimate emotionally, it is important for you to realize that we have a professional relationship rather than a personal one. Our contact will be limited to the paid sessions you have with me. Please do not invite me to social gatherings, offer gifts, or ask me to relate to you in any way other than in the professional context of our counseling sessions. You will be best served if our relationship remains strictly professional and if our sessions focus exclusively on your concerns. You will learn a great deal about me as we work together; however, please remember that you are relating to me only in my professional role.

 

Fees, Cancellation, and Insurance Reimbursement:

The fee for each session will be due and must be paid at the end of each session. Cash, personal checks, or MasterCard/Visa are acceptable for payment. If you are unable to keep an appointment, you must notify me 24 hours in advance. I maintain a 24 hour answering machine at (715) 386-9011, in case an appointment must be broken. If I do not receive such advance notice, you will be responsible for paying for the missed session.

 

Some health insurance companies will reimburse clients for my counseling services and some will not. Most will require that I diagnose your mental health condition, before they will agree to reimburse you. I will inform you of any diagnosis I plan to submit, before I notify the health insurance company. Some conditions do not qualify for reimbursement. Any diagnosis made will become part of your permanent insurance records. Because you will be paying for services each session, any reimbursement from the insurance company should be sent directly to you.

 

Records and Confidentiality:

All of our communication becomes part of the clinical record, which is accessible to you on request. I will keep confidential anything you say to me, with the following exceptions:

 

a) you direct me to tell someone else

b) I determine that you are a danger to yourself or others

c) I must comply with mandatory reporting laws concerning child or elder abuse/neglect

d) you report sexual exploitation by a former therapist.

 

It is my belief that children have the same confidentiality rights as adults. If I am seeing your child on an individual or group basis, please do not ask me to disclose to you any details of your child's conversations with me. I will, however, provide parents/guardians with general feedback regarding a child's progress.

 

For the full statement of Privacy Practices, click here.

 

Referrals:

If we discover your counseling needs do not fit within my scope of knowledge, I will refer you to another counselor. If at any time for any reason you are dissatisfied with my services, please let me know. If I am not able to resolve your concerns, you may report your complaints to:

 

State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing

P.O. Box 8935

Madison, WI 53708

  • Postdivorce Adjustment
  • Grief Therapy
  • Addictions
  • Career Changes
  • Family of Origin Therapy
  • Performance Enhancement

 

  • Premarital Counseling
  • Couples Counseling
  • Family Therapy
  • Stepfamily Enrichment
  • Parenting
  • Workplace Conflict

 

  • Incest
  • Panic Attacks/Anxiety
  • Childhood Based Trauma
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault
  • Phobias

©2010 Integra Counseling Services
522 2nd Street, Suite 3, Hudson, WI 54016
Contact Dr. Zimmerman at info@integracounselingservices.com or 715.386.9011