Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC
Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC is composed of Licensed Professional Counselors who possess advanced degrees and specialty certifications. The counseling team adheres to Christian values and conservative, biblical worldviews. While these beliefs inform our practice, we are committed to respecting all perspectives and providing a safe, non-judgmental environment for every client. This document contains important information about our professional services, business practices, and your relationship with your counselor. Please read it carefully. When you sign this agreement, it constitutes a binding agreement between you and Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC.
Your counselor holds a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Texas. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (License #87345). Your counselor has received training in play therapy, vocational training, animal-assisted and equine-assisted therapies. She also has training in expressive arts in therapy and trauma-informed care. Your counselor's license can be verified at bhec.texas.gov/verify-a-license.
Our counselors employ a variety of therapeutic methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Informed Counseling, play therapy, AutPlay Therapy, Couple's Counseling, equine-assisted counseling, expressive arts therapy, family therapy, and Christian counseling upon request. Referrals are provided for specialized needs, such as addiction or schizophrenia. Faith-based counseling: Christian counseling is available upon request and may be integrated into sessions according to the client's preferences.
Equine‑Assisted Counseling (EAC) is designed to support your mental‑health goals through intentional, therapeutic interaction with horses. Our work together will focus on your clinical goals rather than horsemanship skills.
Research shows that being around animals can reduce stress and increase the body's natural calming responses. Many clients find that the presence of a horse helps them feel more at ease during the counseling process. Because horses are highly attuned to their environment — including us — their responses can offer meaningful feedback that supports insight into your thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns.
EAC is experiential, which means sessions may involve less talking than traditional therapy, or just as much, depending on your needs. This flexibility makes it a helpful option for individuals who prefer hands‑on engagement as well as those who process verbally.
At times, the work may feel challenging. Interacting with a horse can bring up moments of frustration or discouragement, especially when things don't go as planned. These experiences are a natural part of the therapeutic process. As you move through them, we'll explore what they reveal and how the skills you develop can support a healthier, more fulfilling life outside of session.
Equines are large, powerful animals, and — because they are prey animals — their natural instincts include fleeing, kicking, striking, or biting when startled. They also have lateral vision, which means they cannot see directly in front of or behind themselves. These characteristics can sometimes lead to sudden or unpredictable reactions. Because of this, interacting with horses always carries an inherent risk of injury or, in rare cases, death.
Your safety is our highest priority, and we take every reasonable precaution. Even so, accidents can occur when working around equines or participating in equine‑assisted activities. These accidents may result in injury, harm, permanent disability, or death. By participating, you acknowledge these inherent risks.
During counseling sessions, you understand and agree to the following:
You are welcome to talk with your counselor at any time about the potential benefits or challenges of beginning, continuing, or ending counseling. While we expect counseling to be helpful, no specific outcomes can be guaranteed. Therapy is a personal process that may lead to meaningful shifts in how you see yourself, your relationships, and your life. At times, this exploration may feel uncomfortable or bring up difficult emotions, but these experiences are often part of the healing process. Some changes may be unexpected, such as shifts in significant relationships; for example, in couple counseling, there is always a possibility that the relationship may not continue. Your counselor will work collaboratively with you to support the best possible outcomes.
In Equine‑Assisted Counseling, you will engage with horses through a guided discovery process. The relationship you build with the equine(s) can support insight, emotional growth, and progress toward your treatment goals. Your counselor may offer suggestions when clinically appropriate, but will not provide personal advice; our role is to help you develop your own solutions and strengthen your internal resources.
Although we cannot promise that therapy will resolve every concern, many clients experience meaningful improvement in symptoms, functioning, and overall well‑being. Counseling can be challenging at times, much like healing a physical injury — it requires time, consistency, and the development of new emotional and behavioral skills. If anything in the process needs to be adjusted, your counselor will discuss it with you.
Because sessions take place outdoors at an equine facility, privacy may be more limited than in a traditional office setting. Conversations may occasionally be overheard by individuals not involved in the session, which may affect the level of privileged communication.
You understand and agree that:
Your counselor will make all attempts to hold sessions even in the case of inclement weather. We do not cancel sessions for inclement weather with the exception of dangerous weather warnings as designated by the National Weather Service such as tornadoes, ice, or flooding. In other cases, your counselor may hold the session indoors without horses. If your counselor plans to cancel the session due to weather, your counselor will notify you.
Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC respects your right to privacy and works to ensure your information is kept confidential. Your counselor will not disclose your personal information without a signed release by you — unless required by law. To protect your safety and the safety of others, there are a few exceptions to confidentiality:
Professional consultations: counselors may consult with one another regarding client care and best practices to ensure the highest quality of service.
Counseling may offer benefits such as problem resolution, emotional relief, improved relationships, and the development of life skills. However, clients may experience discomfort when addressing difficult issues, encounter uncertain outcomes, or notice changes in relationships. Clients retain the right to discontinue counseling at any time.
Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC is not a crisis agency. In the event of an emergency, clients should contact a crisis agency or dial 911. If you are experiencing a crisis or mental health emergency, please find your county below for the number of your local mental health authority. You may also call 1‑800‑273‑TALK. If you are able to safely transport yourself, go to the nearest hospital emergency room for assistance.
Communication is preferred via phone calls and secure emails; texting is not permitted due to HIPAA regulations. Please also note that your counselor is most often not immediately available by telephone. The office number is (469) 759‑0730. It may be answered by voicemail that your counselor will monitor from time to time throughout the day. Although someone is typically in the office during normal business hours, your counselor will not take calls when with a client. A reasonable effort will be made to return any call made during normal business hours on the same day it is received, weekends and holidays excepted. Messages left after hours or on weekends or holidays will normally be returned the next business day. If you are difficult to reach, please inform your counselor of times when you will be available. Be aware that there may be times when we are unable to receive or respond to messages, such as when out of cellular range or out of town.
The child therapy process consists of the following steps:
Clients must provide signed custody orders prior to the commencement of sessions. The practice does not conduct custody evaluations or accept high-conflict family cases; referrals will be made as necessary. Therapy cannot begin until any active divorce or custody disputes are resolved.
The legal process is such that your counselor or Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC may be compelled to reveal information about you that could affect you negatively or undermine your relationship with your counselor. Because the client-counselor relationship is built on trust with the foundation of that trust being confidentiality, it is often damaging to the therapeutic relationship for your counselor to be asked to present records and to testify in court or deposition. Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC counselors are not trained as expert witnesses and do not provide testimonial services. Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC counselors do not: perform court evaluations; conduct court-related or forensic evaluations; or appear in court on behalf of individuals, children or adults. Should a Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC counselor be subpoenaed as a factual case witness or involved in court-related processes, Sacred Olive Counseling, PLLC requires a retainer fee of $1,500 with a charge of $200 per hour for case preparation, phone calls, travel, witness time, depositions, time required to give testimony, court appearances, etc. In addition, if client sessions are scheduled in order to attend any related meetings or court dates which are subsequently canceled, there will be a fee of $125 for each client session that was canceled and unable to be rescheduled. If issued a subpoena, the subpoena will be turned over directly to an attorney and you will be responsible for all attorney fees and costs incurred as a result of the legal action.
Please remain in your vehicle and your counselor will come get you at the beginning of each session. Children under the age of 12 must not be left unattended on the property. Parents are required to remain on-site during sessions. Please do not bring any treats to feed the animals. There are cows, horses, donkeys, dogs and cats on this property.
All sessions and paperwork are managed through the Headway Portal. Telehealth sessions are available for clients who require remote access.
Counselors are prohibited from interacting with clients on social media platforms. Any published content is not intended as a solicitation for reviews. Client records are securely stored electronically. If a counselor becomes incapacitated, designated staff will manage the records.
Scholarship opportunities are based on yearly financial income: $50K or less may qualify for $100 for 53 minutes; $50K to $80K may qualify for $125 for 53 minutes.
If you use insurance to pay for play therapy sessions, sometimes an extra billing code is needed. This may mean a small additional fee is added to your usual co-pay. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please talk with your counselor — they are happy to explain how it works.
Clients must notify their counselor if they will arrive late; arrivals more than 15 minutes late may result in cancellation and a fee. The full session fee will be charged for late cancellations and no-shows unless notification is provided at least 24 hours in advance. Two consecutive no-shows will result in inactive status and cancellation of future appointments.
Clients should not attend in-person sessions when ill and must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning. Telehealth sessions are available if illness prevents in-person attendance. If a client attends while ill, the session will end early, and the full fee will be charged.
Clients may request their records by contacting their counselor. Applicable fees and a release form are required for record requests.
Clients are encouraged to communicate compliments and complaints directly to their counselor. We will do everything we can to make sure you are treated fairly and have a good experience with us. Unresolved complaints may be filed with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council: Attn: Enforcement Division, 1801 Congress Ave Suite 7.300, Austin, TX 78701 ([email protected]).
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, psychological associates, social workers, and licensed specialists in school psychology. Although not every complaint against or dispute with a licensee involves professional misconduct, the Executive Council will provide you with information about how to file a complaint. Please call 1‑800‑821‑3205 for more information.
This Informed Consent and Service Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Informed Consent and Service Agreement is held to be invalid, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Informed Consent and Service Agreement, which shall otherwise continue to be enforceable.
You agree to receive (or agree for the minor for whom you have legal responsibility to receive) mental health assessment, care, treatment or services, and authorize your counselor to provide such assessment, care, treatment, or services as are considered necessary and advisable.
This Informed Consent and Service Agreement together with attachments hereto is the entire agreement between the parties. It replaces and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements between the parties. Modifications and amendments to this agreement shall be enforceable only if they are in writing and are signed by the parties.
By signing this Informed Consent and Service Agreement, you acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices. You, the undersigned client (or Legal Guardian), acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by all the terms, conditions, and responsibilities contained in this Informed Consent and Service Agreement in its entirety, including all attachments hereto. You affirm that everything in this Informed Consent and Service Agreement that was not clear to you has been explained. You also acknowledge that you understand the risks of counseling and agree to assume such risks. You are signing this Informed Consent and Service Agreement voluntarily. If the client is a minor, by signing this Informed Consent and Service Agreement, you warrant and represent that you have the legal authority to execute this agreement on behalf of the minor, and that you have provided all applicable Court Orders, Custody Agreements, or similar documents.