termsconditions

SACRED KIN COUNSELING

Welcome to Sacred Kin Counseling. This website is owned and operated by Christopher "Corey" Scott, LPC-Associate, under the professional supervision of Lesley Smith, LPC-S. Christopher is the founder of Sacred Kin Counseling. By visiting our website and accessing the information, resources, services, products, and tools we provide for you, you understand and agree to accept and adhere to the following terms and conditions as stated in this policy (hereafter referred to as "User Agreement"), along with the terms and conditions as stated in our Privacy Policy. This agreement is in effect as of March 18, 2026. We reserve the right to change this User Agreement from time to time without notice. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this User Agreement periodically to familiarize yourself with any modifications. Your continued use of this site after such modifications will constitute acknowledgment and agreement of the modified terms and conditions. Responsible Use and Conduct By visiting our website and accessing the information, resources, services, products, and tools we provide for you (hereafter referred to as "Resources"), you agree to use these Resources only for the purposes intended as permitted by applicable laws, regulations, and generally accepted online practices or guidelines. Wherein, you understand that: - To access our Resources, you may be required to provide certain information about yourself (such as identification, contact details, etc.) as part of the registration process, or as part of your ability to use the Resources. You agree that any information you provide will always be accurate, correct, and up to date. - You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any login information associated with any account you use to access our Resources. Accordingly, you are responsible for all activities that occur under your account/s. - Accessing (or attempting to access) any of our Resources by any means other than through the means we provide is strictly prohibited. You specifically agree not to access (or attempt to access) any of our Resources through any automated, unethical, or unconventional means. - Engaging in any activity that disrupts or interferes with our Resources, including the servers and/or networks to which our Resources are located or connected, is strictly prohibited. - Attempting to copy, duplicate, reproduce, sell, trade, or resell our Resources is strictly prohibited. - You are solely responsible for any consequences, losses, or damages that we may directly or indirectly incur or suffer due to any unauthorized activities conducted by you, and may incur criminal or civil liability. Open Communication Tools We may provide various open communication tools on our website, such as blog comments, forums, message boards, and social media services. You understand that we generally do not pre-screen or monitor content posted by users. By posting information or otherwise using these tools, you agree that you will not upload, post, share, or otherwise distribute any content that: - Is illegal, threatening, defamatory, abusive, harassing, degrading, intimidating, fraudulent, deceptive, invasive, racist, or contains any type of suggestive, inappropriate, or explicit language - Infringes on any trademark, patent, trade secret, copyright, or other proprietary right of any party - Contains any type of unauthorized or unsolicited advertising - Impersonates any person or entity, including any Sacred Kin Counseling employees or representatives We have the right at our sole discretion to remove any content that does not comply with this User Agreement or that we feel is otherwise offensive, harmful, objectionable, inaccurate, or violates any 3rd party copyrights or trademarks. Content Ownership - We do not assume any liability for any content posted by you or any other 3rd party users of our website. - Any content posted by you using open communication tools on our website becomes the property of Sacred Kin Counseling and gives us a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, exclusive license to reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, publish, publicly display and/or distribute as we see fit. - This only applies to content posted via open communication tools and does not refer to information provided as part of the registration process, which is covered by our privacy policy. Indemnification You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Sacred Kin Counseling and its affiliates, and their directors, officers, managers, employees, donors, agents, and licensors, from and against all losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, resulting from any violation of this User Agreement or the failure to fulfill any obligations relating to your account incurred by you or any other person using your account. Privacy Your privacy is very important to us. This Privacy Policy applies specifically to active and prior clients who enlist in our mental health services. To enlist in services, clients are required to review and agree to the policy at intake. The privacy policy may not apply to website visitors that do not enroll in services. Client data is collected, managed, processed, secured, and stored in our secure electronic health records system. Our privacy policy is included under the scope of this User Agreement. This summary does not constitute our full HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. Active clients receive the full notice at intake. To read our privacy policy in its entirety, please refer to the Privacy Policy section of this website. Text Messaging By opting in to receive text messages from Sacred Kin Counseling, you agree to the following terms: - Messaging Frequency: Messaging frequency may vary based on your interactions with our services. - Message and Data Rates: Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier plan. Opt-Out Instructions: To stop receiving messages, text STOP to 210-879-1343. You will receive a confirmation message, and no further messages will be sent. Limitation of Warranties By using our website, you understand and agree that all Resources we provide are "as is" and "as available". This means that we do not represent or warrant to you that: - The use of our Resources will meet your needs or requirements - The use of our Resources will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or free from errors - The information obtained by using our Resources will be accurate or reliable - Any defects in the operation or functionality of any Resources we provide will be repaired or corrected Furthermore, you understand and agree that: - Any content downloaded or otherwise obtained through the use of our Resources is done at your own discretion and risk - No information or advice obtained by you from Sacred Kin Counseling or through any Resources we provide shall create any warranty, guarantee, or conditions of any kind, except for those expressly outlined in this User Agreement Limitation of Liability Any claim against us shall be limited to the amount you paid, if any, for use of products and/or services. Sacred Kin Counseling will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary loss or damages which may be incurred by you as a result of using our Resources, or as a result of any changes, data loss or corruption, cancellation, loss of access, or downtime to the full extent that applicable limitation of liability laws apply. Copyrights and Trademarks All content and materials available on Sacred Kin Counseling, including but not limited to text, graphics, website name, code, images, and logos are the intellectual property of Sacred Kin Counseling and are protected by applicable copyright and trademark law. Any inappropriate use, including reproduction, distribution, display, or transmission of any content on this site is strictly prohibited, unless specifically authorized by Sacred Kin Counseling. Termination of Use You agree that we may, at our sole discretion, suspend or terminate your access to all or part of our website and Resources with or without notice and for any reason, including breach of this User Agreement. Any suspected illegal, fraudulent, or abusive activity may be grounds for terminating your relationship and may be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities. Upon suspension or termination, your right to use the Resources we provide will immediately cease. Governing Law This website is controlled by Sacred Kin Counseling from our offices located in the state of TEXAS, USA. By accessing our website, you agree that the statutes and laws of TEXAS will apply to all matters relating to the use of this website and the purchase of any products or services through this site. Any action to enforce this User Agreement shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in Texas. No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates - You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical care will cost. - Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. - You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. - Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your first scheduled appointment, or upon request before scheduling. - If you receive a bill that is at least 400 dollars more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. - Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. - Providers cannot balance bill a patient unless the patient was notified prior to services and signed an agreed upon consent to waive protections. - Any State laws supersede Federal protections against balance billing. Accessing Your Health Care Records - You have the right to request a copy of your health care records. - To request your records, please submit a written request directly to your provider using the contact information listed on this website. - Requests are processed in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Contact the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council If you need to contact the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council for licensing or regulatory matters, please visit their official Contact Us page: Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council – Contact Us https://bhec.texas.gov/contact-us Filing a Consumer Complaint If you wish to file a consumer complaint, you may do so with the Office of the Texas Attorney General: Office of the Attorney General of Texas – Consumer Protection https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint Guarantee UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSED, Sacred Kin Counseling EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. Contact Information If you have any questions or comments about these Terms of Service as outlined above, you can email us via hello@sacredkincounseling.com

This notice describes how your health information may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully. **This Privacy Policy applies only to active and prior clients who have signed informed consent to receive mental health services. It does not apply to website visitors, prospects, or individuals who have only inquired about services without enrolling as clients.** You may have additional rights under state and local law. Please seek legal counsel from an attorney licensed in your state if you have questions regarding your rights to health care information. This notice went into effect on June 03, 2025. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF PRIVACY NOTICE Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (hereafter, "HIPAA"), you have certain rights regarding the use and disclosure of your protected health information (hereafter, "PHI"). A. My Pledge Regarding Health Information I understand that health information about you and your health care is personal. I am committed to protecting health information about you. I create a record of the care and services you receive from me. I need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by this mental health care practice. This notice will tell you about the ways in which I may use and disclose health information about you. I also describe your rights to the health information I keep about you, and describe certain obligations I have regarding the use and disclosure of your health information. I am required by law to: - Make sure that protected health information ("PHI") that identifies you is kept private. - Give you this notice of my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to health information. - Follow the terms of the notice that is currently in effect. - I can change the terms of this Notice, and such changes will apply to all information I have about you. The new Notice will be available upon request, in my office, and on my website. B. How I May Use and Disclose Health Information About You The following categories describe different ways that I use and disclose health information. For each category of uses or disclosures, I will explain what I mean and provide examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed, but all permitted uses and disclosures will fall within one of these categories: For Treatment, Payment, or Health Care Operations Federal privacy rules allow health care providers who have a direct treatment relationship with a client to use or disclose personal health information without written authorization, to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations. I may also disclose your PHI for the treatment activities of other providers. For example, if a clinician were to consult with another licensed provider about your condition, we would be permitted to use and disclose your PHI to assist with diagnosis and treatment. Disclosures for treatment purposes are not subject to the "minimum necessary" rule per HIPAA §164.502(b). "Treatment" includes coordination of care, consultations, and referrals among providers. Lawsuits and Disputes If you are involved in a lawsuit, I may disclose PHI in response to a court or administrative order. I may also disclose PHI in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process—provided that reasonable efforts have been made to notify you or obtain an order protecting the requested information. C. Certain Uses and Disclosures Require Your Authorization Psychotherapy Notes I do keep "psychotherapy notes" as defined in 45 CFR § 164.501. These notes are kept separate from your medical record and are afforded greater protection under HIPAA. Any use or disclosure of such notes requires your Authorization unless the use or disclosure is: - For my use in treating you. - For training or supervision of mental health practitioners. - For defending myself in legal proceedings initiated by you. - For use by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate HIPAA compliance. - Required by law, limited to the law's requirements. - Required for health oversight activities related to the originator of the notes. - Required by a coroner acting within legal authority. - Required to help avert serious threats to health and safety. Marketing Purposes As a psychotherapist, I will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes. Sale of PHI As a psychotherapist, I will not sell your PHI in the regular course of my business. D. Certain Uses and Disclosures Do Not Require Your Authorization Subject to limitations in the law, I may use and disclose your PHI without your Authorization for the following purposes: - When required by federal or state law, in compliance with the relevant legal standards. - For public health activities, including suspected child, elder, or dependent adult abuse, or to prevent or reduce serious health or safety threats. - For health oversight activities, such as audits and investigations. - For judicial and administrative proceedings, including court orders (although I prefer to obtain your Authorization first). - For law enforcement purposes, including reporting crimes on my premises. - To coroners or medical examiners acting within their legal duties. - For research purposes, such as comparing treatment outcomes. - For specialized government functions, including military missions, presidential protection, intelligence, or corrections safety. - For workers' compensation claims, in accordance with applicable laws. - For appointment reminders and to inform you about treatment alternatives or health-related benefits or services that I offer. E. Certain Uses and Disclosures Require You to Have the Opportunity to Object Disclosures to Family, Friends, or Others Involved in Your Care I may disclose your PHI to a family member, friend, or any person involved in your care or the payment for your care, unless you object. If you are not present or are unable to agree due to incapacity or emergency, I may share information if I believe it is in your best interest. These disclosures will only include information directly relevant to that person's involvement in your care or payment. The opportunity to object may also be provided retroactively. F. You Have the Following Rights with Respect to Your PHI Right to Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures. You may ask me not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations. I am not required to agree, but I will consider your request carefully. Right to Restrict Disclosures for Services Paid Out-of-Pocket in Full. You may request that I restrict disclosures of PHI to health plans for services you've paid for entirely out-of-pocket. Right to Request Confidential Communications. You may ask that I communicate with you in a specific way or at a certain location (e.g., home vs. office phone), and I will accommodate reasonable requests. Right to Access and Copy Your PHI. You may request an electronic or paper copy of your medical record, excluding psychotherapy notes. I will provide the copy or summary within 30 days of your written request. A reasonable, cost-based fee may apply. Right to a List of Disclosures. You may request an accounting of disclosures I've made that were not for treatment, payment, or health care operations. I will provide a list covering the past six years (or a shorter timeframe if requested) within 60 days. One request per year is free; additional requests may incur a fee. Right to Amend Your PHI. If you believe that your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. I may deny your request, but I will provide a written explanation within 60 days. Right to a Copy of This Notice. You have the right to receive a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time. Even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically, you may still request a paper copy.