Please Read Carefully: These Terms & Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between you and South Florida Counseling Agency. By accessing our website or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms.
- Acceptance of Terms
By accessing the website at https://southfloridacounseling.net or by using any services provided by South Florida Counseling Agency (“Agency,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age (or have obtained parental/guardian consent), have read and understood these Terms & Conditions, and agree to be legally bound by them.
If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must discontinue use of our website and services immediately.
- Scope of Services
The Agency provides licensed mental health counseling services in the State of Florida, in accordance with Florida Statutes §491. Our services include:
- Individual Therapy
- Couples Counseling
- Telehealth / Online Sessions
All counseling services are provided by licensed or supervised mental health professionals. Our services are intended for individuals residing in or physically present in the State of Florida, unless otherwise permitted by applicable interstate compact or law.
Not a Crisis Service: Our services are not a substitute for emergency mental health care. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
- Appointments, Cancellations & Fees
Scheduling
Appointments must be scheduled in advance. We reserve the right to decline or discontinue services at our professional discretion.
Online Scheduling
Appointments may be scheduled through an external third-party scheduling service. By using the online scheduling system, you agree to it’s terms of service and acknowledge that appointment data will be processed by the external third-party scheduling service as our HIPAA-compliant Business Associate.
Cancellation Policy
We require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments (no-shows), may be subject to a late cancellation / no-show fee as outlined in your intake paperwork. This fee is typically not covered by insurance.
Fees & Payment
- Session fees are disclosed prior to the commencement of services.
- We accept various payment methods as communicated at intake.
- Insurance billing is subject to your plan’s terms; you are responsible for any co-pays, deductibles, or non-covered services.
- Unpaid balances may be referred to a collections agency after reasonable notice.
- Telehealth Services
In accordance with the Florida Telehealth Act (Florida Statutes §456.47), we offer telehealth services to eligible clients. By participating in telehealth sessions, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
- Telehealth is not appropriate for all mental health conditions or emergencies.
- Technical difficulties may occasionally interrupt sessions; in such cases, we will attempt to reconnect or reschedule at no additional charge.
- You are responsible for ensuring a private, secure environment during telehealth sessions.
- Telehealth sessions are conducted via HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video platforms.
- You must be physically located in the State of Florida during telehealth sessions unless otherwise authorized by applicable law.
- Your informed consent for telehealth will be obtained separately prior to your first telehealth session.
- Emergency Procedures & Limitations
Important Safety Notice: Mental health counseling is not an emergency service. Our counselors are not available 24/7 for crisis intervention.
In the event of a psychiatric emergency, clients should:
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988).
- Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
In accordance with the Florida Mental Health Act (Baker Act, Florida Statutes §394), our clinicians are mandated reporters and may initiate an involuntary examination if a client presents an imminent danger to themselves or others.
Our counselors are also mandatory reporters under Florida law and are required to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, elderly persons, or vulnerable adults to the appropriate authorities.
- Professional Standards & Licensing
All counseling services are provided by professionals licensed or supervised under Florida Statutes §491 and regulated by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. Our practitioners adhere to the ethical codes of their respective professional associations.
The Agency does not provide medical advice, psychiatric medication management, or diagnoses outside the scope of licensed mental health counseling practice.
- Website Use & Intellectual Property
All content on https://southfloridacounseling.net, including text, graphics, logos, and images, is the property of South Florida Counseling Agency and is protected by applicable copyright and intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written permission.
You agree not to use our website for any unlawful purpose, to transmit harmful or offensive content, or to attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems.
- Disclaimer of Warranties
Our website and its content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.
Information provided on our website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by Florida law, South Florida Counseling Agency, its owners, employees, contractors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from:
- Your use of, or inability to use, our website or services.
- Any errors or omissions in website content.
- Unauthorized access to or alteration of your data.
- Any third-party conduct or content linked from our website.
Our total liability for any claim arising from these Terms shall not exceed the amount paid by you for services in the three (3) months preceding the claim.
- Confidentiality & Therapeutic Relationship
All communications between clients and our counselors are confidential, subject to the exceptions required by law (see our Privacy Policy). The therapeutic relationship is professional in nature. Our counselors do not engage in dual relationships that could impair professional judgment or exploit clients.
Communications via email or website contact forms are not guaranteed to be secure. Please do not transmit sensitive health information through unsecured channels.
- Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of our services shall first be subject to good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration in Miami-Dade County, Florida, under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except where prohibited by law.
Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
- Third-Party Crisis & Emergency Services Disclaimer
Important Notice Regarding External Crisis & Emergency Resources: Throughout this website and in our documents, we may reference third-party emergency and crisis services — including, but not limited to, calling 911, contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988), the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741), local emergency rooms, or other crisis intervention resources.
South Florida Counseling Agency does not own, operate, manage, control, or represent any of these external services. We have no affiliation, partnership, or formal relationship with 911 dispatch centers, the 988 Lifeline network, the Crisis Text Line, any hospital emergency department, or any other third-party crisis or emergency organization referenced herein.
These references are provided solely as a public safety courtesy to help individuals in crisis access immediate assistance. We do not endorse, guarantee, or assume any responsibility for the availability, response times, quality of care, or outcomes associated with any external crisis or emergency service.
By referencing these services, South Florida Counseling Agency makes no representation that:
- Any specific service will be available at the time of need;
- Response times or outcomes will meet any particular standard;
- The information provided by those services is accurate or complete;
- We have any ability to influence, direct, or control those services in any way.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact the appropriate emergency services directly. South Florida Counseling Agency is not an emergency service and cannot guarantee real-time crisis response.
- Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid under applicable law, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
- Changes to These Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms & Conditions at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to our website with an updated effective date. Your continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.
- Contact Us
For questions about these Terms & Conditions, please contact us at:
South Florida Counseling Agency
Phone: (954) 370-8081
Email: info@southfloridacounseling.net
Website: https://southfloridacounseling.net
