Terms & Conditions

Welcome to my therapy practice. Before you start your sessions, please review the terms and conditions that govern access to telehealth therapy services. By scheduling or attending a session, you agree to be bound by these terms.

Please note that I may update these terms when legally necessary, and I’ll post any changes with a revised effective date. Continued use of my services after any updates equates to acceptance of the new terms.

I provide licensed psychotherapy and counseling services using evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). My primary services include grief, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem therapy—though every treatment plan is personalized to your needs.

I am not a medical doctor, and therapy is not a replacement for emergency medical care. If you are experiencing a crisis like suicidal thoughts or psychotic symptoms, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department as soon as possible. Therapy is a supplemental mental health treatment that can help you manage symptoms, not an immediate fix.

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth refers to any healthcare provided by any means other than face-to-face visits. This includes telephone consultation, videoconferencing, transmission of still images, e-health technologies, patient portals, and remote patient monitoring. During these services, medical and mental health information is exchanged interactively for diagnosis, consultation, treatment, therapy, follow-up, and education.

By beginning treatment, you consent to participate in telehealth services and acknowledge the following:

• Telehealth involves clinical services delivered through technology when the provider and client are in different locations.
• Both you and I have the right to withdraw telehealth consent at any time without affecting future care, services, or program benefits.
• The privacy laws that guard the confidentiality of your protected health information (PHI) apply to telemental health unless you pose a danger to yourself or others, your mental health is an issue in legal proceedings, or a child, elder, or vulnerable adult is facing abuse. In these cases, I am a mandatory reporter.
• Telehealth carries risks, including technology failures, interrupted transmission, and potential breaches of privacy or confidentiality.

Your Responsibilities for Telehealth Sessions

By attending telehealth sessions, you agree:

• To use a private, secure location with a reliable internet or phone connection.
• To comply with all instructions and laws surrounding the telephone service or video platform.
• That neither party will record sessions, and all clinical information will be protected under HIPAA unless disclosure is required by law.
• That you understand electronic communication is not appropriate for emergencies and emergency services in your locality (e.g., 911) must be used for urgent matters.
• That if you are experiencing suicidal intent, homicidal thoughts, active psychosis, or a crisis that cannot be managed through telehealth, you may be advised to seek a higher level of care.
• Electronic communication may be used to communicate highly sensitive medical information, such as treatment for or information related to HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, or addiction treatment (alcohol, drug dependence, etc.).
• During a telehealth session, we could encounter technical difficulties resulting in service interruptions. If this occurs, end and restart the session. If we are unable to reconnect within ten minutes, please call or email me to discuss, since we may have to re-schedule.
• My therapist may need to contact my emergency contact and/or appropriate authorities in case of an emergency.

You may consent to receiving emails or texts for appointment reminders, scheduling updates, and educational messages. Please remember that email or text is not appropriate for emergencies. Crisis situations must be handled via emergency services or direct phone contact.

When you opt in to this, you understand:

• Standard messaging and data rates may apply.
• You may revoke consent at any time in writing.
• Messages sent without encryption may be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties.
• Backup copies of e-mail may still exist even after the sender and receiver have deleted the messages.
• E-mail can contain harmful viruses and other programs.
• My Provider has recommended that I delete all text messages or emails as soon as possible after reviewing them to limit any unauthorized exposure.
• Continuing to communicate electronically indicates continued consent.

Once you schedule an appointment, your session is reserved. Each session is approximately 45 minutes. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please do so with at least 24 hours notice before your appointment. Sessions canceled late and missed sessions will incur the full session fee.

• The fee for each session will be provided during your free consultation and may be reviewed periodically. I reserve the right to increase fees, but you will receive a 30-day notice before any changes occur.
• Unless other arrangements are agreed upon beforehand, payments are due at the start of each session.
• I accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as online payments.
• If you choose to use insurance, you are financially responsible for any co-payments or deductibles. I can provide invoices for out-of-network claim submission.

After assessment and discussion, you are eligible to receive a range of therapeutic services. Treatment typically lasts several weeks and may involve regular review of goals and progress. Please note that no results or outcomes can be guaranteed in psychological treatment.

During treatment, you have a right to:

• Ask questions at any time.
• Request additional explanations of treatment methods.
• Consent to or refuse treatment.
• Discontinue therapy at any time (ideally after discussion with the provider).

As a licensed NYC therapist, I take privacy very seriously. Everything you disclose in your sessions and your protected health information (PHI) is kept confidential—as outlined by New York and federal HIPAA laws. Records may include demographic and clinical information, treatment plans, progress notes, and billing records.

Use of Health Information

PHI may be used or disclosed for:

• Treatment and care coordination
• Billing and payment processes
• Healthcare operations such as quality improvement and compliance review

Disclosures Without Authorization

There are very few exceptions to confidentiality, but all are related to protecting your direct safety or the safety of others. PHI may be disclosed without signed permission if there is:

• Suspected abuse of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult
• A serious risk of acting on violent, self-harming, or suicidal thoughts
• The presence of court orders or other legal requirements
• Certain public health reporting requirements
• A law enforcement request
• A verified health or public safety threat
• Approved research activities under required oversight
• A workers’ compensation claim
• Emergency or disaster relief support

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request copies of your medical/therapy records (fees may apply)
• Request corrections or amendments
• Request confidential communications or restrictions
• Receive notice in the event of a data breach
• Obtain a paper copy of this notice
• File a privacy complaint without retaliation

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with your Provider or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized or retaliated against by your Provider for filing a complaint.

I may collect personal information such as your name, email address, phone number, and mental health records. I never share your information with third parties. While I take measures to protect this information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, the nature of online storage means I cannot guarantee absolute security.

Therapy is only successful when we work together to achieve results. When you sign up for sessions, you agree to:

• Answer the call on-time, ready to be engaged.
• Provide an accurate and complete mental health history, including your current status.
• Notify me if you’re seeing another therapist or taking mental health medications.
• Participate actively in treatment, complete agreed tasks, and communicate any concerns about the therapy process.

Our therapeutic relationship can be ended at any time, by either party. Ideally, services are ended following a productive discussion and advanced notice, but I reserve the right to terminate therapy if:

• You fail to pay fees or repeatedly miss sessions.
• You engage in inappropriate behavior that harms the therapeutic process.
• We determine that another therapist is more suited to your needs.

Therapy is a gradual and highly-personal process that comes with inherent emotional risks and discomfort. By agreeing to my services, you acknowledge that results vary, and while we will work toward your goals, I cannot guarantee specific outcomes. You are ultimately responsible for your own choices and actions during and outside of therapy, and I am not liable for indirect or consequential damages. My total liability is limited to paid session fees.

These terms will be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

If you have any questions or concerns before or after starting therapy, please feel free to contact me at: