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Privacy & Telehealth Policy
This page explains how this website handles your information, and gives you general information about confidentiality and telehealth before you begin services. It is a general overview and does not replace the informed consent paperwork you will review and sign before starting therapy.
Website Privacy
If you use the contact form on this site, the information you enter (such as your name, email, phone number, and message) is sent securely to Amanda Phillips using a third-party form service, Formspree. That information is used only to respond to your inquiry. It is not sold, shared with advertisers, or used for marketing.
This website does not knowingly collect information from children. If you are a parent or guardian reaching out on behalf of a minor, please submit the form yourself rather than having your child do so.
This site may use basic, aggregated analytics to understand how visitors use the site. This data does not identify you personally.
Confidentiality
What you share in therapy is confidential and protected by law and professional ethics. There are limited exceptions where confidentiality may need to be broken, generally including:
- There is reason to believe a child, elder, or dependent adult is being abused or neglected
- There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another specific person
- Disclosure is required by a court order or by law
These exceptions, along with any others that apply to your specific situation, will be explained fully and in writing before you begin therapy.
Telehealth Consent — General Information
Telehealth sessions are offered by video for clients located within California at the time of the session, consistent with California licensing requirements. Before beginning telehealth, it's helpful to know:
- You'll need a private, quiet space and a stable internet connection for each session.
- As with any technology, there is some risk that a video or internet connection could be interrupted or, in rare cases, intercepted. Reasonable safeguards are used to protect your privacy, but no method of electronic communication is completely without risk.
- Telehealth is not appropriate for every situation. If a concern arises that would be better addressed in person or through a higher level of care, you'll be given a referral.
- You'll be asked to share your physical location at the start of each telehealth session, along with a local emergency contact, in case of a technology failure or an urgent safety concern.
In Case of Emergency
This practice does not provide 24-hour crisis coverage. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Questions
If you have questions about any of the above, you're welcome to ask before your first session:
Note: this page is a general-purpose template and does not constitute legal advice.