Terms & Policies

Effective Date: 01/01/2026

Welcome to the Real Roots Counseling, PLLC website. By accessing or using this website, you agree to the following Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use this website.

1. No Therapeutic Relationship
Use of this website does not establish a therapist-client relationship. A therapeutic relationship is only formed after completion of required intake paperwork and a mutual agreement for services.

2. Not Medical Advice
Information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or mental health advice.

3. Emergency Situations
If you are experiencing an emergency or crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You may also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

4. Confidentiality and Communication
Email and website contact forms are not guaranteed to be secure. Please do not include sensitive personal or clinical information in online inquiries.

5. Intellectual Property
All website content, including text, logos, images, and materials, is the property of Real Roots Counseling, PLLC and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used without written permission.

6. Links to Third-Party Websites
This website may include links to third-party websites. Real Roots Counseling, PLLC is not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of external websites.

7. Limitation of Liability
Real Roots Counseling, PLLC is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from your use of this website.

8. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

9. Contact Information
Real Roots Counseling, PLLC
Vancouver, WA
Phone: (360)-230-8352
admin@realrootscounseling.org
realrootscounseling.org

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy:
Real Roots Counseling, PLLC is committed to protecting the privacy of your protected health information (“PHI”). PHI includes information that identifies you and relates to your mental health condition, treatment, or payment for services.

We may use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes:

1. Treatment
We may use your information to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care. We may disclose relevant information to other healthcare providers involved in your care with your written authorization or as allowed by law.

2. Payment
We may use and disclose your information to bill and receive payment from insurance companies or other third parties.

3. Health Care Operations
We may use your information for practice operations such as quality improvement, staff training, and business management.

We may disclose your PHI without your authorization in certain situations, including:
• When required by law
• If there is suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• For health oversight activities
• For legal proceedings (court orders, subpoenas)
• To prevent a serious threat to health or safety
• For workers’ compensation claims

Confidentiality of Psychotherapy Notes:
Psychotherapy notes are kept separately from the medical record and have special protections under federal law. We do not disclose psychotherapy notes without your written authorization except as required by law.

You have the right to:
• Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures
• Request confidential communications
• Inspect and obtain a copy of your records
• Request corrections to your records
• Receive an accounting of disclosures
• Receive a paper copy of this notice

Our Duties:
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI, provide you with this notice, and comply with its terms.

Changes to This Notice:
We may change this Notice at any time. Updated notices will be available upon request and on our website.

Complaints:
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Real Roots Counseling, PLLC or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Contact Information:
Real Roots Counseling, PLLC
Vancouver, WA
Phone: (503) 395-4684
brittni@realrootscounseling.org

Note: Virtual (telehealth) sessions are available for clients in Oregon and Washington.

GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE (NO SURPRISES ACT)

Real Roots Counseling, PLLC

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost upon scheduling or at your request.

Under the law, health care providers are required to give patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of expected charges for services.

Good Faith Estimate Includes:

• Expected costs of items and services related to your mental health care

• The estimate is based on the information known at the time it is provided

This estimate does not include unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment.

Your Rights Under the No Surprises Act

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you may dispute the bill.

You may contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to learn more about the dispute process: www.cms.gov/nosurprises

You may also request a Good Faith Estimate at any time prior to scheduling services or before receiving services.

Provider Information:
Real Roots Counseling, PLLC
Vancouver, WA
(360)-230-8352
admin@realrootscounseling.org