We believe in providing a good faith estimate of our policies to ensure transparency and a smooth experience for everyone.

Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to request and receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of your therapy services. This Good Faith Estimate is part of our appointment policy to ensure clear client communication regarding fees.

This applies if you are not using insurance

Your estimate will outline:

- Session fees. - Expected frequency (if known)

It’s an estimate—not a guarantee—since therapy needs can change.

You can request a Good Faith Estimate at any time. We’ll provide it before your first session or shortly after scheduling, in line with our appointment policy.

If your treatment plan changes, we’ll update your estimate to reflect the new costs.

If your bill is $400 or more above your estimate, you have the right to dispute it through HHS.

NOTE: Each therapist operates independently, and rates may vary.

Confidentiality and Privacy Risks

While email can be a convenient way to communicate, please be aware that it is not a fully secure method of communication. Despite efforts to maintain confidentiality, emails can be vulnerable to interception, unauthorized access, and other security breaches. As a result, the confidentiality of sensitive information cannot be guaranteed.

Limits of Email Communication

Email should not be used for emergencies, urgent matters, or to communicate critical information. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate support, please reach out to emergency services by calling 911 or 988.

Response Time

Please note that emails, left voice messages, or messages sent through secure client communication platforms may not be checked immediately. Our staff will make every effort to respond within 24 business hours, as outlined in our appointment policy.

Scope of Services

Email communication is not a substitute for therapy sessions. While our therapists are happy to respond to general inquiries or non-urgent matters via secure client communication platforms, all therapeutic work will take place within scheduled appointments. Please remember that a good faith estimate of the time needed for any therapeutic work will be provided in those sessions.

Professional Boundaries

Please ensure that any communication is respectful and professional. To maintain appropriate boundaries, we ask that you refrain from sending personal content unrelated to your therapy work.

Informed Consent

By communicating with us via messaging portals or email, you acknowledge and accept the risks and limitations associated with this form of communication, as outlined above. If you have concerns about the use of email or prefer a different method of communication, please discuss this with your therapist during your session.

The Therapy Office of Picayune

Effective Date: April 20, 2026

At The Therapy Office of Picayune, we are committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of our clients' personal and health information. This Privacy Practice Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information and outlines your rights under applicable privacy laws.

1. Information We Collect

In the course of providing therapy services, we collect personal information from clients, which may include:

Demographic Information: Name, address, phone number, date of birth, gender, insurance details, etc.

Health Information: Mental health history, diagnoses, treatment plans, therapy notes, medication history, and other health-related details.

Payment Information: Billing information, payment methods, and insurance claims.

Communication Records: Any client communication between you and our staff, including email, phone conversations, and session notes.

2. Use of Information

We use your personal and health information to provide high-quality therapy services, including:

Treatment: To assess your needs, plan your treatment, and provide ongoing therapy.

Billing and Payment: To process payment for services rendered, submit insurance claims, and manage billing records.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

Appointment Scheduling: To schedule, confirm, or reschedule appointments, in accordance with our appointment policy.

3. Confidentiality of Your Information

Your personal and health information is strictly confidential. We will not disclose or share your information without your consent, except in the following circumstances:

Emergency Situations: If there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, we may disclose information to protect your safety or the safety of others.

Legal Requirements: If required by law or court order, we may be obligated to release information (e.g., subpoenas, legal investigations).

Clinical Supervision: Your information may be shared with a supervisor or colleague for the purpose of improving treatment, but identifying details will be kept to a minimum.

Billing/Insurance: If you have provided insurance information, your personal and health information may be shared with your insurer for the purpose of processing claims.

4. Your Rights

As a client, you have several important rights regarding your personal and health information:

Right to Access: You have the right to request a copy of your health records and treatment notes, with some exceptions as permitted by law.

Right to Correct Information: If you believe any of your personal or health information is incorrect or incomplete, you can request corrections.

Right to Confidentiality: You can request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your information. While we will make every effort to accommodate such requests, there may be instances where we are required by law to disclose information.

Right to Revoke Consent: If you have previously consented to sharing information with third parties (e.g., insurance providers), you can revoke that consent at any time in writing, except where we are required by law to maintain or disclose information.

Right to File a Complaint: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with us or the relevant regulatory authority (e.g., Department of Health and Human Services in the U.S.).

5. Safeguarding Your Information

We take appropriate measures to protect your personal and health information, including.

Physical Security: Secure storage of paper records in locked files or cabinets.

Electronic Security: Use of encryption, firewalls, and secure passwords for electronic records.

Staff Training: Regular training for all staff on the importance of confidentiality and privacy protection.

Disposal of Information: Safe disposal of paper records (e.g., shredding) and secure deletion of electronic records when no longer needed.

6. Third-Party Services

We may contract with third-party services (e.g., billing services, software providers, clearinghouses) to support our operations. These services are required to comply with strict confidentiality agreements to ensure the protection of your information.

7. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Practice Policy as needed. Any significant changes will be communicated to you directly, and the updated policy will be available on our website or upon request.

8. Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns regarding your privacy or this policy, please contact us.