Terms of service.

Terms of Service

Effective Date: June 24, 2025

Welcome to www.cheriebrowntherapy.com. We are grateful that you have chosen to visit our site. Before you continue, please take a moment to carefully review these Terms of Service. By accessing or using this website, you confirm that you understand and agree to these terms. If you do not feel comfortable with any part of these terms, we kindly ask that you refrain from using the site.

1. Purpose and Intended Use of This Website

The information provided on this website is intended solely for informational purposes to help you better understand the services we offer and available resources. Please note that the content on this website does not constitute professional medical, psychological, or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While we strive to provide helpful and accurate information, it is important to understand that each person’s circumstances, health, and well-being are unique.

The information shared on this website should not be relied upon as a substitute for consulting with a licensed healthcare or mental health professional. If you are experiencing any medical, psychological, or emotional concerns, we strongly encourage you to seek personalized care and guidance from a qualified professional who can assess your individual needs and provide tailored treatment or advice.

Therapeutic or healthcare decisions should always be made in consultation with a licensed professional who can evaluate your specific situation and offer appropriate support. If you are currently in a crisis or require urgent mental health services, please reach out immediately to a qualified professional or contact emergency services.

2. No Therapist-Client Relationship Established by Website Use

While we truly appreciate your interest and engagement with our website, including submitting forms, making inquiries, or requesting appointments, please understand that using this website alone does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Such a relationship is only formed after mutual agreement, the completion of all required intake paperwork, and formal acceptance of you as a client.

Until a formal therapist-client relationship has been established, any communication via this website—whether through forms, emails, or scheduling requests—should not be considered confidential or therapeutic in nature. We encourage you to share personal or sensitive health information only during your scheduled sessions.

Additionally, for your privacy and to maintain professional boundaries, therapists should not be added on social media. We believe in preserving a respectful and secure space for our work, and we ask that you respect this boundary for your own confidentiality and safety.

3. Scheduling and Acceptance of Services

Requests for appointments can be made through our website using the scheduling tool, by completing the contact form, or by calling our office directly. All appointment requests will be reviewed to assess therapist availability, clinical appropriateness, and your specific needs.

We are committed to ensuring that we can provide the best possible care for each individual. Therefore, we reserve the right to decline services if, after careful consideration, we determine that the therapeutic fit is not suitable, or if any licensing regulations or clinical factors prevent us from offering services in your location. This ensures that you receive care that is appropriate and in line with your needs.

Once an appointment request has been reviewed, confirmed appointments will be scheduled only after mutual agreement and under the terms outlined in our policies. If we are unable to proceed with your request, we will inform you within 48 hours and may offer alternative referrals or resources to assist you.

We encourage you to reach out via any of the mentioned methods, and we will be happy to assist you with scheduling and any questions you may have.

4. Fees, Payment Methods, and Cancellation Policies

Our commitment is to transparency regarding fees. All service charges will be clearly communicated before any sessions begin. Clients are responsible for timely payment through accepted methods, which may include insurance, credit/debit cards, electronic payment systems, or other specified options. We kindly request at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling to avoid any late cancellation fees. Missed appointments without sufficient notice will be billed in full, reflecting the therapist’s reserved time and dedication to your care.

5. Confidentiality and Communication Practices

We hold your privacy in the highest regard and are fully committed to protecting it. However, it is important to note that electronic communications—such as emails, messages submitted via web forms, or other online forms of communication—have inherent limitations in terms of security and confidentiality.

For your protection, we strongly advise against sharing sensitive or detailed health information via these methods. Any detailed personal health information should only be discussed during scheduled therapy sessions, which are conducted in a secure and confidential environment.

Mandated Reporting:
As licensed professionals, we are required by law to act as mandated reporters. This means that, in certain circumstances, we are legally obligated to report information regarding suspected abuse, neglect, or situations that pose a risk of harm to yourself or others. While these situations are rare, it is important that you are aware that confidentiality may be limited in these circumstances to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Crisis and Emergency Support:
While we are here to support you, it is important to recognize that in cases of immediate crisis, therapy cannot be a substitute for emergency care. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, we encourage you to seek immediate assistance from the following resources:

  • Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or require urgent medical assistance.

  • Dial 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides confidential, free, and immediate support for individuals in emotional distress.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: If you are experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support and resources.

  • LGBTQ+ Crisis Support: The Trevor Project offers confidential support for LGBTQ+ individuals in crisis at 1-866-488-7386 or via their online chat service.

For more detailed information on how we protect your privacy and the measures we take to safeguard your personal and health information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

6. Telehealth Services and Privacy

When engaging in telehealth or virtual therapy sessions, it is essential that you are in a private, quiet, and secure environment to maintain confidentiality and ensure the quality of our work together. To preserve the integrity of your session, you must also be physically located in a jurisdiction where the therapist is licensed to provide services.

Telehealth sessions are conducted using secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms designed to protect your personal and health information.

For your safety and well-being, you may not be operating any vehicles during telehealth sessions. We kindly request that you be in a safe and secure location, free from distractions and potential risks, so that you can fully engage in the session and receive the care and attention you deserve.

This policy is in place to protect both your safety and the effectiveness of our time together.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

All materials on this website—including but not limited to text, images, graphics, logos, and downloadable content—are the exclusive property of Cherie Brown Therapy, Inc. and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. Any reproduction, distribution, or use of these materials without our prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

8. Third-Party Links and Content

Our website may include links to external websites for your convenience and additional information. These links do not imply endorsement, and we are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites. We encourage you to review the terms and policies of any site you visit.

9. Changes to These Terms

We may update or revise these Terms of Service from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted here with a new effective date. By continuing to use this website after changes are posted, you agree to be bound by the revised terms.

10. Contacting Us

We welcome your questions, concerns, or requests for further clarification regarding these Terms of Service. Please do not hesitate to reach out:

Cherie Brown Therapy, Inc.
Email: info@cheriebrowntherapy.com
Phone: (347) 551-5749

Thank you for taking the time to review these terms. We are committed to providing a respectful, transparent, and supportive experience in all our interactions with you.