Privacy, Disclosures
& Practice Policies

Last updated: October 2026

1. Website Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any mental health condition, replace individualized mental health care, or establish a therapeutic relationship.

Reading this website, submitting a contact form, or communicating with me by email does not establish a therapist-client relationship. A therapeutic relationship is established only through the appropriate intake, consent, and service procedures.

Information on this website should not be considered a substitute for individualized clinical assessment, professional guidance, or emergency care.

2. No Emergency or Crisis Services

This website and its associated communication channels are not monitored for emergencies and are not intended to provide crisis intervention.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or believe you may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In the United States, you may also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Please do not rely on email or website communications for urgent assistance.

3. Website Privacy

You may browse this website without intentionally submitting personal information. If you contact me by email or through a website contact feature, you may provide information such as your name, email address, telephone number, or details about your reason for seeking services.

Information submitted through this website or by email may be used to respond to your inquiry, provide information about services, and facilitate appropriate next steps.

Please avoid including sensitive personal information, detailed clinical history, or other confidential health information in an initial website inquiry or ordinary email. Electronic communications may carry privacy and security risks.

This website may use third-party services or standard website technologies to operate, measure website activity, or provide embedded content. The information collected depends on the website platform, its settings, and any third-party features in use. Please consult the applicable platform privacy policies for additional information.

4. Clinical Confidentiality and Protected Health Information

Information shared in the course of psychotherapy is subject to applicable federal and Illinois confidentiality laws and the privacy practices of the organization providing your care.

Clinical records and communications are handled according to applicable legal and professional requirements. Confidentiality is not absolute, and certain disclosures may be permitted or required by law.

The circumstances in which information may be disclosed depend on the applicable law and the specific situation. These circumstances may include certain safety-related disclosures, legally mandated reporting, or valid legal processes when disclosure is authorized or required.

The confidentiality of psychotherapy records is governed by laws and clinical policies that are distinct from this website privacy statement.

For information about clinical records, permitted disclosures, and your rights concerning protected health information, please refer to the applicable Notice of Privacy Practices and your clinical informed consent documents.

5. Email and Electronic Communications

Email is used primarily for initial inquiries, scheduling-related communication, and other appropriate administrative matters.

Email is not guaranteed to be secure or confidential. Messages may be accessed by unintended recipients, forwarded, stored on third-party systems, or exposed through compromised accounts or devices.

Please consider these limitations before sending personal or sensitive information electronically. If you become a client, we can discuss appropriate methods of communication and any relevant limitations as part of the intake process.

Sending an email does not guarantee that an appointment will be available or that a therapeutic relationship has been established.

6. No Guarantee of Results

Psychotherapy is an individualized process. Outcomes vary depending on a range of factors, including a person's circumstances, needs, goals, and participation in treatment.

Information on this website does not guarantee a particular outcome, symptom reduction, diagnosis, or timeline for change. Descriptions of therapeutic approaches are intended to explain potential areas of focus, not to promise specific results.

7. External Websites and Third-Party Services

This website may contain links to external websites, educational resources, or third-party services. These links are provided for convenience or informational purposes.

I do not control the content, privacy practices, security, or availability of external websites. Visiting an external website is subject to that website's own terms and privacy policies.

The inclusion of a link does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of all content, services, or claims presented by that third party.

8. Website Content and Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise indicated, the written content on this website is provided for personal, informational use. Website content may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or republished for commercial purposes without appropriate permission.

You may share links to publicly available pages. Sharing or accessing website content does not create a therapeutic relationship or authorize the use of that content as individualized clinical guidance.

9. Professional Scope and Clinical Services

Clinical services are provided within the applicable scope of practice, professional credentials, and legal requirements. Information on this website is not a representation that every service or therapeutic approach is appropriate for every individual.

The availability of a particular service depends on clinical appropriateness, current practice arrangements, and applicable professional requirements. Any clinical service is subject to the appropriate assessment, consent, and practice policies.

10. Updates to This Notice

This website privacy and disclaimer notice may be updated periodically to reflect changes in website functionality, communication practices, or applicable requirements.

The date at the top of this page indicates when the notice was most recently updated. Material changes will be reflected in the updated website notice as appropriate.

11. Contact

For general questions about this website or inquiries about services, please contact:

Heather Smith
Email: TherapyWithHeatherSmith@gmail.com

Please do not use this email address for emergencies or send detailed confidential clinical information through an initial inquiry.