Before our first session
Client Agreement
Please read this agreement, then sign at the bottom. Questions are always welcome before you sign.
Welcome
Thank you for trusting me with something so close to your heart. Losing a beloved animal, or preparing for that loss, is one of the hardest experiences we go through. You do not have to carry it alone.
This agreement explains how our work together runs, so you know what to expect from the start.
About Dr. Lucy
Dr. Lucy holds a Ph.D. and has doctoral training in psychology. She focuses on pet loss, anticipatory grief, and the bond between people and their animals.
She has supported many people through a pet's illness, end-of-life decisions, and life after loss. She has worked with Beach Animal Rehab Center (BARC), and through caring for her own dog, Romeo, she has collaborated closely with his veterinary care team, including Dr. Amy Kramer of BARC, Dr. Wayne Berry of BluePearl Pet Hospital, and Dr. Jen Kumar of Baker Bristol Pet Hospital in Costa Mesa.
What our work together looks like
Our sessions are a caring space to talk openly about your animal, your fears, and your grief. Together we may focus on:
- Anticipatory grief while your animal is still with you
- Preparing for end-of-life decisions and goodbyes
- Coping with guilt, worry, and waves of sadness
- Honoring and memorializing your animal
- Rebuilding daily life and routines after loss
This is a grief support and coaching service. It is not psychotherapy, counseling, or medical or mental health treatment, and it does not include diagnosis. You are the expert on your own life; my role is to listen, guide, and offer tools that help.
Sessions, fees, and cancellations
Sessions take place by phone or video, whichever feels most comfortable for you.
| Session | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard session | 50 minutes | $200 |
| Extended session | 75 minutes | $300 |
- Payment is due at the time of each session by Venmo to @Dr.Lucy (steps below).
- Please give at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Sessions cancelled with less notice, or missed, are charged the full fee.
- These services are private pay. Insurance is not accepted and sessions are not billed to insurance.
- Open the Venmo app and tap Pay/Request.
- Search for @Dr.Lucy.
- Enter the session fee ($200 or $300).
- In the note, write something simple such as "Session". Please leave out any personal details.
- Tap the privacy setting under the note and choose Private, so the payment is not visible to anyone else.
- Leave the purchase option switched off, then tap Pay.
Privacy and confidentiality
What you share in our sessions stays private. I will not share your information without your written permission, with these exceptions:
- If I believe you or someone else is at risk of serious harm
- If I suspect abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or dependent adult
- If a court order or the law requires it
In those rare cases, I share only what is needed to keep people safe. I keep brief, secure notes so I can follow your story from session to session.
Your wellbeing and extra support
Grief can be intense, and sometimes it calls for more than one kind of support. If what you are feeling becomes too heavy, or if you would benefit from a psychiatrist or your doctor, I will help you find the right referral. You are welcome to use other support alongside our work.
If you are ever in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. I am not available for emergencies.
Communication and your participation
- Text is best for scheduling. I reply to texts within 24 hours.
- Email and text are not fully secure, so please keep detailed personal information for our sessions.
- Your participation is voluntary. You may pause or end our work at any time.
- Everyone's grief is different, so specific outcomes cannot be promised.