Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

By scheduling an appointment or receiving services from Manhattan Psychology Practice, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. Please read them carefully. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not proceed with scheduling or receiving services.

Professional Services

Nature of Services

We provide professional psychological assessment, psychotherapy, counseling, and related mental health services. Our services are provided by licensed psychologists and mental health professionals in accordance with New York State regulations and professional ethical standards.

Therapeutic Relationship

The therapeutic relationship is a professional relationship designed to support your mental health and well-being. While we strive to provide the highest quality care, we cannot guarantee specific outcomes or results from treatment.

Scope of Practice

Our services do not include emergency or crisis intervention. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

Appointments and Scheduling

Scheduling

Appointments may be scheduled by phone, email, or through our secure patient portal. Initial consultations are typically scheduled for 60 minutes, while follow-up sessions are 50 minutes in length.

Cancellation Policy

We require at least 24 hours advance notice for appointment cancellations or rescheduling. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, or missed appointments without notification, will be charged the full session fee. Exceptions may be made for emergencies or unavoidable circumstances.

Late Arrivals

If you arrive late to your appointment, the session will still end at the scheduled time, and you will be charged for the full session. We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork.

Telehealth Services

We offer telehealth sessions via secure, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing. You are responsible for ensuring a private, quiet location with reliable internet connectivity for your telehealth appointments.

Fees and Payment

Session Fees

Our standard fees are as follows:

• Initial Consultation (60 minutes): $350
• Individual Therapy (50 minutes): $300
• Couples Therapy (50 minutes): $350
• Psychological Assessment: Varies by type, discussed during consultation

Payment Terms

Payment is due at the time of service unless prior arrangements have been made. We accept credit cards, debit cards, and HSA/FSA cards. A valid payment method must be kept on file.

Insurance

We are in-network with select insurance plans and out-of-network with others. We will provide you with a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement. You are responsible for verifying your insurance coverage and understanding your benefits, including deductibles, copayments, and out-of-network reimbursement rates.

Outstanding Balances

Accounts with balances over 30 days past due may be subject to collection proceedings. You are responsible for all costs associated with collection efforts, including reasonable attorney fees.

Confidentiality and Privacy

We maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations, New York State law, and professional ethical standards. Please refer to our Privacy Policy and HIPAA Notice for detailed information about how we protect and use your personal health information.

Limits to Confidentiality

There are specific situations where we are legally required or permitted to disclose information without your consent:

• When there is a serious threat of harm to yourself or others
• Suspected child abuse or neglect
• Suspected abuse or neglect of elderly or disabled persons
• When ordered by a court of law
• For certain public health and safety purposes

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information about your health history and current condition
• Attend scheduled appointments or provide adequate notice of cancellation
• Participate actively and honestly in the therapeutic process
• Pay for services rendered in a timely manner
• Follow treatment recommendations to the best of your ability
• Communicate openly about concerns or questions regarding your treatment
• Inform us of any changes to your contact information, insurance, or emergency contacts
• Maintain appropriate boundaries within the therapeutic relationship

Communication Outside of Sessions

Contact Methods

Between sessions, you may contact us via phone or email for scheduling or brief administrative matters. Email and phone messages are not appropriate for clinical emergencies or lengthy therapeutic discussions.

Response Time

We strive to respond to non-urgent messages within 24-48 business hours. For urgent clinical matters, please call our office. For emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Social Media

To maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect your privacy, we do not accept friend requests or interact with current or former patients on social media platforms.

Termination of Services

Your Right to Terminate

You have the right to terminate therapy at any time. We recommend discussing your decision with your therapist to ensure a smooth transition and appropriate referrals if needed.

Our Right to Terminate

We may terminate the therapeutic relationship if:

• You repeatedly miss appointments or fail to comply with the cancellation policy
• You have outstanding balances that remain unpaid despite repeated attempts to resolve
• Your needs exceed our scope of practice or expertise
• There is a significant conflict of interest
• You engage in threatening or abusive behavior toward staff

In such cases, we will provide you with appropriate referrals and a summary of your treatment for continuity of care.

Medical Records and Documentation

We maintain comprehensive records of your treatment in accordance with legal and professional standards. You have the right to request access to your records, subject to certain legal and clinical limitations. Requests must be made in writing, and a reasonable copying fee may apply.

Liability and Disclaimer

While we are committed to providing high-quality professional services, we cannot guarantee specific results from treatment. Psychotherapy involves risks and benefits, and outcomes vary based on many factors. We are not liable for decisions you make or actions you take outside of scheduled sessions.

Dispute Resolution

If you have concerns about your treatment or our services, we encourage you to discuss them directly with your provider. If concerns cannot be resolved informally, disputes will be addressed through mediation before pursuing other legal remedies. These terms are governed by the laws of New York State.

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will be posted on our website with an updated revision date. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Acknowledgment

By proceeding with services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. A signed acknowledgment form will be provided during your initial consultation.