Part 1: Professional Services Disclaimer

Informational Purposes Only

The content on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, articles, blog posts, videos, and other materials, is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as, and should not be construed as, professional mental health advice, diagnosis, assessment, or treatment of any kind.

The information presented on this site does not replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a licensed mental health professional. Always seek the guidance of a qualified clinician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding mental health condition or treatment.

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No Therapist-Client Relationship

Visiting, browsing, or using this website does not establish a therapist-client relationship, counselor-client relationship, or any other professional relationship between you and Steady Mind Counseling or any of its affiliated clinicians.

A formal professional relationship is only established when:

• You have completed and signed all required intake and consent paperwork;

• A clinician at this practice has explicitly agreed in writing to provide services to you; and

• A scheduled and confirmed first appointment has taken place.

Submitting an inquiry form, sending an email, or leaving a voicemail does not constitute the establishment of a professional relationship and does not guarantee confidentiality under HIPAA or any other applicable law.

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Not a Substitute for Professional Care

The information on this website is not a substitute for professional mental health services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or any other psychiatric emergency, please call 911 immediately, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

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Part 2: Telehealth & Online Services Disclaimer

Nature of Telehealth Services

Steady Mind Counseling offers telehealth (online therapy) services via secure, HIPAA-compliant video and/or audio platforms. Telehealth involves the delivery of mental health services using electronic communications, including live video conferencing, telephone sessions, and secure messaging.

By engaging in telehealth services with this practice, you acknowledge that you understand and accept the potential benefits and limitations of receiving care through a remote format.

 

Risks and Limitations of Online Therapy

Telehealth services may not be appropriate for all individuals or all clinical situations. Known risks and limitations include, but are not limited to:

• Disruptions in service due to technology failures, internet connectivity issues, or power outages;

• Limitations in the clinician’s ability to directly observe nonverbal cues, physical symptoms, or behavioral indicators that may be apparent in an in-person setting;

• Potential security and confidentiality risks are inherent in transmitting information electronically, despite the use of encrypted and HIPAA-compliant platforms;

• Reduced ability to provide immediate in-person intervention in the event of a crisis; and

• The requirement that you be physically located in a state where your clinician is licensed at the time of each session.

 

Technology Failure Policy

In the event of a technology failure during a scheduled telehealth session, your clinician will attempt to contact you by telephone within 48 hours. If the session cannot be resumed via video, it may be continued by phone or rescheduled at no additional charge, at the clinician’s discretion.

You are responsible for ensuring you have a stable internet connection, a functioning device, and a private, confidential location prior to each session. Steady Mind Counseling is not responsible for disruptions caused by the client’s technology, internet service, or environment.

 

Licensure & Geographic Limitations

Steady Mind Counseling and its clinicians are licensed to provide mental health services in the following state(s): Texas and Pennsylvania. Telehealth services may only be provided to clients who are physically located within those states at the time of each session, regardless of the client’s state of residence.

It is the client’s responsibility to notify the clinician before each session if they will be located outside of the licensed state(s). Providing services across state lines without proper licensure may violate state and federal law and could jeopardize your clinician’s license.

 

Informed Consent

Prior to beginning telehealth services, all clients are required to review and sign a separate Telehealth Informed Consent Agreement, which provides a more detailed explanation of the nature, risks, benefits, and limitations of telehealth. Verbal or written acknowledgment of this disclaimer does not substitute for the completion of the formal informed consent process.