Website Policy
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Psychotherapy is a collaborative process that may involve discussing personal concerns, developing coping strategies, and exploring thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. The length and outcomes of therapy vary based on individual needs.
Benefits & Risks
Potential benefits include improved emotional well-being, greater self-awareness, and enhanced coping skills. Potential risks may include emotional discomfort or distress when addressing difficult experiences.
Voluntary Participation
Participation in therapy is voluntary. Clients may choose to discontinue services at any time.
Therapist Credentials
Paola Leon, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
California License #138914
A full Informed Consent for Psychotherapy is provided prior to the start of services.
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All information shared in therapy is confidential and will not be disclosed without written authorization, except as required or permitted by California law.
Confidentiality may be broken in the following circumstances:
Risk of serious harm to self or others (Tarasoff duty to protect)
Suspected child abuse or neglect
Suspected elder or dependent adult abuse
Court orders or lawful subpoenas
Professional consultation or supervision (without identifying information)
Detailed confidentiality provisions are included in the full Informed Consent.
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This practice complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Protected Health Information (PHI) may be used for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
Clients have the right to:
Access and request copies of their records
Request amendments to records
Request restrictions on certain disclosures
File a complaint without retaliation
A full HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is provided with intake forms prior to the first appointment.
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Fees & Payment
Session fees are discussed prior to beginning therapy. Payment is due at the time of service unless otherwise arranged.
Insurance
Clients using insurance are responsible for verifying benefits, coverage limits, deductibles, and authorization requirements. Any denied or unpaid claims remain the client’s responsibility.
Cancellations
A 48-hour notice is required for cancellations. Late cancellations or missed appointments may be charged the full session fee, as permitted by California law.
Complete financial policies are included in intake paperwork.
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Clients who are uninsured or who choose not to use insurance have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges.
You may request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling services or at any time during treatment.
If your bill exceeds the estimate by $400 or more, you have the right to dispute the charges.
A detailed Good Faith Estimate is provided upon request or during intake.
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Telehealth sessions are conducted through HIPAA-compliant platforms.
Clients must be physically located in California at the time of telehealth sessions and must provide their current location and an emergency contact.
Telehealth services may be discontinued if deemed clinically inappropriate.
A full Telehealth Informed Consent is provided prior to services.
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This practice does not provide 24/7 crisis or emergency services.
If you are experiencing an emergency or immediate danger:
Call 911
Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Go to the nearest emergency room
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This website may collect limited personal information through contact forms or email inquiries.
Submitting a contact form does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
Information collected is used solely to respond to inquiries and is not shared except as required by law.
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All website content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute psychotherapy, diagnosis, or treatment.
Use of this website does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
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This practice is committed to providing an accessible website experience.
If you experience difficulty accessing any content, please contact: