Services through Just A Social Worker, PLLC

  • Therapy Services

    Are you a social worker or mental health professional struggling with feeling like you are incompetent or noticing some of your earlier issues are showing up as you work with clients? Or do you notice how hard you are working trying to keep it together, to figure out all the parts of your life but also feeling exhausted and overwhelmed?

    Do you feel there is something better in reach or that life could be a bit easier? Maybe it is time to consider reaching out for help and finding healing through therapy. Just because you are a social worker/mental health professional does not mean that you are immune to the impact our field has on our lives or to the pain of others. Feeling better, being more present and not having to work so hard is possible!

    As a social worker myself, I understand the complexity and nuances of being both a social worker and a human who has their own pain, their own areas of need and the possibility of healing. Ive worked with other social workers and mental health professionals with success using EMDR, the Polyvagal Theory, IFS and attachment focused work to create a meaningful relational experience to help you shine and reconnect with yourSelf.

    Please reach out here to connect for a 30 minute meet and greet to see if we would be a good fit, talk about insurances that I accept, and see if my schedule meets your needs. I look forward to connecting with you.

  • Assessments

    Are you an attorney, employer or other professional needing a substance abuse evaluation for a client? Or are you someone who needs an evaluation for substance use for yourself? Maybe you have gotten in trouble for drinking/driving or for an incident at work? Maybe you are worried you might have a problem or a family member is wanting you to change and stop drinking or using? Maybe you even want just a piece of mind or a plan of care?

    As a social worker in the substance abuse field, I can help you navigate these questions and/or provide an evaluation for court, employer or other entity to get you back to the life you want and address what is needed. With this evaluation, I provide a written and detailed report to help you better understand your complex needs and fulfill a legal requirement.

    If you are interested and want more information, please reach out to set up a meet and greet to get more information, talk about payment and other mechanism of support.

  • Gender Affirming Letters

    Are you someone who is looking to match their body with who they are on the inside? Do you need to support to better understand the next steps on your gender journey? Or do you need a letter for your insurance provider so that you can complete the remaining requirement of gender reassignment survey? I can help you be your truest self and live your best life.

    As a social worker, it is important to support people in transitioning to a body that fits how they see themselves on the inside in whatever way that looks. I have completed the Clinical Concerns of Gender Identity training through NASW-MI to provide medically necessary letters to support your transitions. These letters follow the WPath Standards of Care for the health of transgender and gender diverse people.

    If you are interested in how I can support you, please schedule a meet and greet to see if I would be a good fit, how payment happens and if my schedule aligns with your needs. I look forward to hearing from you!

  • Consultation

    Now that you are a fully licensed social worker, you find you might need some more support with those complex cases or want to move into a new job within the social work field. Maybe you have started working with clients with trauma or you want to use EMDR more effectively or even just have someone to help you navigate what is happening with a clients. Just because you are no longer needing supervision for your license does not mean you still do not need support.

    Being a social worker with 20 years of experience, I can help you navigate the nuances of working with clients who are complex, stuck or struggling within therapy. Using an attachment and relational approach, I find consultation and support moves smoothly with the relationship between us and our clients. Please schedule if you want to know more about how I can support your clinical work.

  • Clinical Supervision

    Being a new LLMSW you need supervision in order to get closer to getting your full license. This is an exciting time to put the education, internship and volunteer experience into practice as a limited license social worker. It is also important that you feel supported, find the supervision relationship is a good fit and that you gain the skills necessary to practice in the area of your interest. It is also important as a new social worker to have a good foundation in ethics, self-care, cultural humility, and navigating complex dynamics in the field.

    As a social worker who has been practicing for almost 20 years in the area of private practice, substance abuse, criminal justice, mental health and CPS, I can provide support across a few areas of the field to help you gain the skills you need to feel confident, competent and supported in your journey to becoming a full licensed social worker.

    As apart of our supervision journey, I will provided you tracking forms, a supportive environment, clinical feedback, encouragement, and finally the signed form completing your finished supervision hours. If you are interested in connecting, please reach and we can schedule a 30 minutes meet and greet.

  • Training

    There are so many options for training right now for social workers. There are also a number of questions that can be asked including what are you hoping to see happen for the training, what is covered, and how will this benefit my staff or other support people. You also want to get what you paid for!

    As a social worker practicing in the field, I can offer you trainings on a variety of topics:

    -Self-care for staff

    -Vicarious/secondary trauma of staff members.

    -Navigating mental health needs of staff

    -Managing ethics using the NASW Code of Ethics

    Or I can tailor a training to the needs of your staff and other professional support people.

    Please connect about a training need or schedule a time to meet for a more tailored training discussion. I look forward to hearing from you!

    Coming soon!

    On-line, self directed training through Just A Social Worker PLLC so check back in Spring 2024 for more information.

  • Privacy Practices

    THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.Just A Social Worker PLLC (the “Practice”) is committed to protecting your privacy. The Practice is required by federal law to maintain the privacy of Protected Health Information (“PHI”), which is information that identifies or could be used to identify you. The Practice is required to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices (this “Notice”), which explains the Practice's legal duties and privacy practices and your rights regarding PHI that we collect and maintain.YOUR RIGHTSYour rights regarding PHI are explained below. To exercise these rights, please submit a written request to the Practice at the address noted below.To inspect and copy PHI.• You can ask for an electronic or paper copy of PHI. The Practice may charge you a reasonable fee.• The Practice may deny your request if it believes the disclosure will endanger your life or another person's life. You may have a right to have this decision reviewed.To amend PHI.• You can ask to correct PHI you believe is incorrect or incomplete. The Practice may require you to make your request in writing and provide a reason for the request.• The Practice may deny your request. The Practice will send a written explanation for the denial and allow you to submit a written statement of disagreement.To request confidential communications.• You can ask the Practice to contact you in a specific way. The Practice will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.To limit what is used or shared.• You can ask the Practice not to use or share PHI for treatment, payment, or business operations. The Practice is not required to agree if it would affect your care.• If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask the Practice not to share PHI with your health insurer.• You can ask for the Practice not to share your PHI with family members or friends by stating the specific restriction requested and to whom you want the restriction to apply.

    • Your information will not be sent for advertising or other commercial benefit. To obtain a list of those with whom your PHI has been shared.• You can ask for a list, called an accounting, of the times your health information has been shared. You can receive one accounting every 12 months at no charge, but you may be charged a reasonable fee if you ask for one more frequently.To receive a copy of this Notice.• You can ask for a paper copy of this Notice, even if you agreed to receive the Notice electronically.To choose someone to act for you.• If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights.To file a complaint if you feel your rights are violated.• You can file a complaint by contacting the Practice using the following information:Just A Social Worker PLLC751 Kenmore Ave SE. Suite D Grand Rapids MI 49546Laurie Eldred LMSW-C, CAADC, MPA616-828-8401

    • You may also file a complaint with LARA (Licensing Bureau and Regulatory Affairs) at 517-241-0199 or email BPLHelp@Michigan.gov

    • You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.• The Practice will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.To opt out of receiving fundraising communications.• The Practice may contact you for fundraising efforts, but you can ask not to be contacted again.OUR USES AND DISCLOSURES1. Routine Uses and Disclosures of PHIThe Practice is permitted under federal law to use and disclose PHI, without your written authorization, for certain routine uses and disclosures, such as those made for treatment, payment, and the operation of our business. The Practice typically uses or shares your health information in the following ways:To treat you.• The Practice can use and share PHI with other professionals who are treating you.• Example: Your primary care doctor asks about your mental health treatment.To run the health care operations.• The Practice can use and share PHI to run the business, improve your care, and contact you.• Example: The Practice uses PHI to send you appointment reminders if you choose.To bill for your services.• The Practice can use and share PHI to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities.• Example: The Practice gives PHI to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your services.2. Uses and Disclosures of PHI That May Be Made Without Your Authorization or Opportunity to ObjectThe Practice may use or disclose PHI without your authorization or an opportunity for you to object, including:To help with public health and safety issues• Public health: To prevent the spread of disease, assist in product recalls, and report adverse reactions to medication.• Required by the Secretary of Health and Human Services: We may be required to disclose your PHI to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate or determine our compliance with the requirements of the final rule on Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.• Health oversight: For audits, investigations, and inspections by government agencies that oversee the health care system, government benefit programs, other government regulatory programs, and civil rights laws.• Serious threat to health or safety: To prevent a serious and imminent threat.• Abuse or Neglect: To report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.To comply with law, law enforcement, or other government requests• Required by law: If required by federal, state or local law.• Judicial and administrative proceedings: To respond to a court order, subpoena, or discovery request.• Law enforcement: For law locate and identify you or disclose information about a victim of a crime.• Specialized Government Functions: For military or national security concerns, including intelligence, protective services for heads of state, or your security clearance.• National security and intelligence activities: For intelligence, counterintelligence, protection of the President, other authorized persons or foreign heads of state, for purpose of determining your own security clearance and other national security activities authorized by law.• Workers' Compensation: To comply with workers' compensation laws or support claims.To comply with other requests• Coroners and Funeral Directors: To perform their legally authorized duties.• Organ Donation: For organ donation or transplantation.• Research: For research that has been approved by an institutional review board.• Inmates: The Practice created or received your PHI in the course of providing care.• Business Associates: To organizations that perform functions, activities or services on our behalf.3. Uses and Disclosures of PHI That May Be Made With Your Authorization or Opportunity to ObjectUnless you object, the Practice may disclose PHI:To your family, friends, or others if PHI directly relates to that person's involvement in your care.If it is in your best interest because you are unable to state your preference.4. Uses and Disclosures of PHI Based Upon Your Written AuthorizationThe Practice must obtain your written authorization to use and/or disclose PHI for the following purposes:Marketing, sale of PHI, and psychotherapy notes.You may revoke your authorization, at any time, by contacting the Practice in writing, using the information above. The Practice will not use or share PHI other than as described in Notice unless you give your permission in writing.OUR RESPONSIBILITIES• The Practice is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of PHI.• The Practice is required to abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect. Where more stringent state or federal law governs PHI, the Practice will abide by the more stringent law.• The Practice reserves the right to amend Notice. All changes are applicable to PHI collected and maintained by the Practice. Should the Practice make changes, you may obtain a revised Notice by requesting a copy from the Practice, using the information above, or by viewing a copy on the website www.justasocialworker.com• The Practice will inform you if PHI is compromised in a breach.This Notice is effective on 4/1/2024.