Inclement Weather and Office Closures
Your safety comes first. Because winter weather in Enid can change quickly, Darrell uses Enid Public Schools (EPS) as the main guide for weather-related closures.
When Enid Public Schools are closed for the day
If EPS announces a full-day closure before school begins, the counseling office will also be closed to in-person appointments for that day.
You will receive a notification through our SimplePractice client portal (by text, email, and/or app push, depending on your settings) as soon as the closure is confirmed.
For the fastest updates, we recommend downloading the SimplePractice app on your smartphone and enabling notifications.
On closure days, telehealth sessions will not be offered, as Darrell’s family is also home due to the weather and a private, confidential space for sessions cannot be guaranteed.
- If your appointment is cancelled due to a weather closure, you are encouraged to use the online appointment request form to choose a new time that works best for you. Darrell will review your request and confirm your new appointment. You are also welcome to keep your next regularly scheduled session if that is your preference.
When Enid Public Schools Close Early
Sometimes EPS dismisses early because conditions worsen during the day. In those situations, Darrell’s first priority is making sure everyone can travel home safely.
If EPS announces an early dismissal, any appointments scheduled to start after the announced school dismissal time will be cancelled for that day.
Appointments already in progress at the time of the announcement may continue or end early at Darrell’s discretion, based on safety and road conditions.
You are welcome to reschedule into any available opening later in the week (if applicable) or simply keep your next scheduled appointment.
Notifications will be sent through the Simple Practice client portal (by text, email, and/or app notification, depending on your settings). Because Darrell may be driving or securing his family, there may be a delay before he can send notifications. He will contact you as soon as he can safely do so.
Before you leave home for your appointment, please check your text messages, email, and/or Simple Practice app for any updates from our office.
When weather is questionable, you may also want to confirm the current status of Enid Public Schools through their website or official social media pages (for example, their Facebook page), since our weather policy follows their closure decisions.
Your Safety and Travel Decisions
Road conditions can vary across Enid and the surrounding areas. If you feel that it is not safe for you to drive to the office due to weather:
You may cancel your appointment without penalty on days affected by severe weather.
In some cases, and only when a confidential environment is available, you may be offered a telehealth session instead of cancelling. This is at Darrell’s discretion based on privacy and safety.
Please contact the office through Simple Practice as soon as you are able.
Early notice allows Darrell to cancel your appointment if he anticipates closing the office due to worsening weather.
When he remains in the office and a private, confidential space is available, early notice may also allow him to consider moving your session to telehealth.
Very last-minute weather related appointment changes may not allow enough time or an appropriate setting for telehealth. In those cases, the appointment will simply be cancelled, and you are welcome to request a new appointment time that works best for you using the online appointment request form.
You are always encouraged to use your own judgment about road safety. No appointment is worth risking your safety or the safety of others on the road.
Telehealth During Bad Weather
When roads are unsafe but power, internet, and a private space are all available, some sessions may continue through secure telehealth.
Telehealth availability on bad weather days is not guaranteed and depends on Darrell’s ability to provide a confidential setting while his family is also at home.
If telehealth is an option for your scheduled time, you will receive a message through SimplePractice with updated instructions and a secure link.
If a private, confidential environment is not available, your session will be cancelled or rescheduled rather than moved online.
For the most reliable updates, we recommend downloading the SimplePractice app on your smartphone and enabling notifications.
Emergency Situations
This weather policy is for routine scheduling only. It does not replace emergency services.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you are in crisis and need to talk with someone immediately, you may contact a crisis hotline such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.