Important information
Group sessions ordinarily take place once a week for eight-week cycles, unless otherwise scheduled. Groups are significantly affected when group members are absent. Therefore, your commitment to attendance is very important.
If you are unable to attend a group session, please contact Joe Romano at director@brainiacsfoundation.org to inform him of your conflict as soon as possible. If your absence is unavoidable, your place in the group
will be reserved.
GROUP SESSIONS ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR INDIVIDUAL THERAPY OR CLINICAL CARE.
YOU MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE TREATMENT IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING STRESS, THOUGHTS
OF SELF-HARM OR VIOLENCE, MOOD SWINGS, ADDICTIVE OR COMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS, OR
OTHER CHANGES.
Group Agreements
Confidentiality is strongly encouraged among group members.
Communication between you, the group members and the group leaders is both privileged and confidential.
This means that group leaders cannot discuss your case orally or in writing, except, as necessary, with
other Brainiacs staff.
Your group leader has an ethical and legal obligation to break confidentiality under the following circumstances:
• If there is a reason to believe there is an occurrence of child, elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect.
• If there is reason to believe that you have serious intent to harm yourself, someone else, or property by a violent act you may commit.
• If there is a court order for release of your records.
Contacting Brainiacs Staff
For day-to-day questions, group scheduling or other administrative issues, please contact our director, Joe Romano at director@brainiacsfoundation.org, or you can call or text him at (914) 317-3117.
In the event of a psychiatric emergency, please call a local Mental Health Hotline or CALL 911 or go to the Emergency Room of your nearest hospital and ask to be evaluated by the psychologist or psychiatrist on call.
Mental Health Hotline numbers include:
• Westchester Dept. of Community Mental Health Support Line (914) 995-1900 between 9 am and 5 pm
• Crisis Prevention and Response Team at (914) 925-5959
• National Suicide Hotline (800) 273-TALK or (800) 273-8255
• NYS Substance Abuse HOPEline – (877) 8-HOPENY or (877) 846-7369 or Text to 467369
• Or, you can always call 911 in any emergency
Informed Consent to Treatment
I have read, understood, and had the opportunity to question, and I agree to the above conditions and policies. I understand that group sessions are not a substitute for individual therapy or clinical care. I agree and consent to participate in group counseling services offered and provided at the Brainiacs Foundation.
If the patient is under the age of eighteen or unable to consent to treatment, I attest that I have legal custody of this individual and am authorized to initiate and consent for treatment and/or legally authorized to initiate and consent to treatment on behalf of this individual. I also permit the use of a copy of this signed or electronic authorization in place of the original.
