Terms of Service

Table of Contents

1. Acceptance of Terms
2. Description of Services
3. Clinical Services and Professional Standards
4. No Therapist-Patient Relationship
5. Scope of This Website and Intake Form
6. Crisis Resources
7. User Responsibilities
8. Intellectual Property Rights
9. Third-Party Links and Content
10. Disclaimer of Warranties
11. Limitation of Liability
12. Service Interruptions and Force Majeure
13. Indemnification
14. Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
15. Privacy and Data Protection
16. Modifications to Terms
17. Governing Law
18. Mandatory Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
19. Severability
20. Entire Agreement
21. Assignment
22. No Waiver
23. Contact Information
24. Additional Legal Policies

By accessing, browsing, or using this website (including submitting our intake form), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you are using this website on behalf of a minor, you represent that you are the parent or legal guardian of that minor and have the authority to agree to these Terms on their behalf.

Bethesda Therapy provides professional mental health therapy services via teletherapy (virtual sessions) to clients located in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.

Our Website Provides:

• Information: General information about our practice, services, and clinicians
• Intake Form: A form to express interest in our services and provide preliminary information
• Resources: Links to mental health resources and information

Important: This website is for informational purposes only and does not provide clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Professional services are provided only through scheduled appointments with our licensed clinicians.

Bethesda Therapy LLC is a group practice employing licensed mental health clinicians. Your therapy services will be provided by a licensed clinician on our team who is qualified to treat your specific concerns.

Licensing and Geographic Limitations:

All therapy services are provided by clinicians licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and/or Virginia. You must be physically located in one of these jurisdictions during all therapy sessions. Services are not available to individuals located outside of these areas.

Professional Standards:

All clinical services are provided in accordance with applicable professional standards, licensing requirements, and ethical guidelines established by relevant professional boards and regulatory authorities. Each clinician exercises their independent professional judgment in providing clinical care, subject to the quality standards maintained by Bethesda Therapy LLC.

Using this website does not create a therapist-patient relationship. A formal therapeutic relationship is established only when:

• You complete our intake process
• We confirm our ability to serve you
• You sign our Informed Consent for Telehealth Services
• You attend your first scheduled appointment with one of our licensed clinicians

Information submitted through our intake form does not constitute a request for emergency services. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room immediately.

This website and intake form are for initial inquiries and expressing interest in our services only.

What This Form Is:

• An initial interest form to request therapy services
• A way to provide basic information for scheduling and therapist matching
• A tool to help us determine if our services may be appropriate for your needs

What This Form Is NOT:

• A clinical intake or patient onboarding process
• A place to share sensitive personal, medical, or mental health information
• A secure messaging system for ongoing communication
• A substitute for emergency services or crisis intervention

Clinical Intake and Documentation:

If you are accepted as a client, you will complete a comprehensive clinical intake through our secure electronic health record system (Simple Practice). Before receiving any clinical services, you will be required to review and sign multiple clinical and administrative documents, including but not limited to:

• Informed Consent for Telehealth Services
• HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
• Financial Agreement and Payment Policies
• Good Faith Estimate of treatment costs
• Additional clinical, legal, and administrative forms

Important: These clinical documents—not this website’s Terms of Service—will govern your therapeutic relationship, treatment, confidentiality, payment obligations, and all other aspects of clinical care. This website, these Terms of Service, and our website Privacy Policy apply only to your use of our marketing website and submission of this initial interest form.

If you are in crisis or need immediate support:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (call or text)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Emergency Services: 911

When using our website, you agree to:

• Provide Accurate Information: Submit truthful, accurate, and complete information in our intake form and all communications
• Use Lawfully: Use the website only for lawful purposes and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• Respect Security: Not attempt to hack, disrupt, or compromise the security of our website or systems
• No Impersonation: Not impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity
• No Automated Access: Not use bots, scrapers, or automated tools to access our website without our express written permission
• Protect Your Information: Maintain the confidentiality of any account credentials and notify us immediately of any unauthorized access

Violation of these responsibilities may result in termination of your access to our website and services.

All content on this website—including text, graphics, logos, images, videos, software, and other materials—is the property of Bethesda Therapy LLC and is protected by U.S. copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Your Limited License:

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to:

• View and use the website for your personal, non-commercial use
• Print individual pages for your personal reference

You May NOT:

• Reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from our content without our express written permission
• Use our name, logo, or branding without authorization
• Remove copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices
• Use our content for commercial purposes

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services (such as insurance providers, mental health resources, or professional organizations). Important Disclaimers:

• We do not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for third-party content
• Links are provided for your convenience only
• We are not liable for any harm or damages related to third-party websites
• Third-party sites have their own terms of service and privacy policies

Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk. We encourage you to review their terms and privacy policies.

THE WEBSITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Bethesda Therapy disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties that the website will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure
• Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of content
• Warranties that defects will be corrected

We do not guarantee that our website will meet your requirements or that it will be available at all times. Technical issues, maintenance, or other factors may cause temporary interruptions.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BETHESDA THERAPY AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or use
• Personal injury or property damage resulting from your use of the website
• Unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data
• Statements or conduct of third parties on the website
• Any damages arising from your use or inability to use the website

EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. In jurisdictions that do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for certain damages, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law. Maximum Liability: In no event shall our total liability to you for all damages exceed the amount you paid to us (if any) in the six months preceding the claim.

While we strive to provide uninterrupted services, certain events beyond our reasonable control may affect service availability. Bethesda Therapy shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by circumstances including but not limited to:

• Internet, telecommunications, or utility outages
• Electronic health record system or technology platform interruptions
• Natural disasters, severe weather, epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies
• Government orders, regulations, or states of emergency
• Cyberattacks, security incidents, or data breaches affecting our systems or third-party providers
• Labor disputes, strikes, or shortages of qualified personnel
• Acts of terrorism, war, or civil unrest
• Failures of third-party service providers or vendors

In the event of a service interruption, we will make reasonable efforts to restore services and notify affected clients as soon as practicable under the circumstances. This provision does not limit our obligations under applicable healthcare laws and regulations.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Bethesda Therapy and its officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the website
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations
• Any information you submit through the website

Bethesda Therapy complies with applicable federal, state, and local non-discrimination laws in the provision of services and employment practices.

Your use of our website is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your information. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand our practices. By using this website, you consent to the practices described in our Privacy Policy.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time without prior notice.

• Effective Date: Changes become effective immediately upon posting to this page
• Your Acceptance: Your continued use of the website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms
• Review Regularly: We encourage you to review these Terms periodically
• Material Changes: We will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page

If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using our website.

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland and the Federal Arbitration Act, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT.

Informal Resolution:

Most disputes can be resolved informally. Before initiating arbitration, you agree to contact us at hello@wearebethesdatherapy.com or (240) 389-0027 to attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days.

Binding Arbitration:

If informal resolution fails, you and Bethesda Therapy agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, your use of our website or services, or your relationship with Bethesda Therapy (including claims related to billing, data privacy, or alleged violations of law) shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Healthcare Arbitration Rules, rather than in court.

Arbitration Procedure:

• Rules: The Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration provision. The AAA Healthcare Arbitration Rules will apply, available at www.adr.org
• Location: Arbitration will be conducted in Maryland or via videoconference by mutual agreement
• Arbitrator: One neutral arbitrator will decide the dispute (unless the claim exceeds $75,000, in which case three arbitrators may be appointed)
• Discovery: Discovery is more limited than in court litigation
• Decision: The arbitrator’s decision is final and binding, and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction
• Confidentiality: Arbitration proceedings are confidential and not public

Cost Allocation:

Bethesda Therapy will pay all AAA arbitration fees that exceed the cost of filing a lawsuit in court. You will only pay the filing fee you would have paid to file the same claim in court. If you cannot afford this fee, we will consider a written request for us to pay it. Each party is responsible for their own attorneys’ fees unless applicable law or the arbitrator’s decision provides otherwise.

Class Action Waiver:

YOU AND BETHESDA THERAPY AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, REPRESENTATIVE, OR COLLECTIVE PROCEEDING. Unless both you and Bethesda Therapy agree otherwise in writing, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims and may not preside over any form of class, representative, or collective proceeding.

Exceptions to Arbitration:

Notwithstanding the above, the following disputes are NOT subject to arbitration:

• Small Claims Court: Either party may bring an individual action in small claims court for claims within that court’s jurisdiction (typically under $10,000 in Maryland)
• Injunctive Relief: Either party may seek emergency injunctive or equitable relief in court to protect intellectual property rights, confidential information, or to prevent irreparable harm
• Agency Complaints: Nothing in this agreement prevents you from filing a complaint with federal, state, or local government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights, state licensing boards, or state attorneys general

Opt-Out Right:

You have the right to opt out of this arbitration agreement. To opt out, you must send written notice to hello@wearebethesdatherapy.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms (or within 30 days of the effective date of this arbitration provision for existing users). Your opt-out notice must include:

• Your full name
• Your email address or phone number
• A clear statement that you wish to opt out of the arbitration agreement

If you opt out, all other provisions of these Terms will still apply, but disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Maryland.

Severability of Arbitration Provision:

If any portion of this arbitration provision is found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in effect, except that if the Class Action Waiver is found to be unenforceable, this entire arbitration provision shall be void.

Survival:

This arbitration provision shall survive termination of these Terms or your relationship with Bethesda Therapy.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, or if modification is not possible, it shall be severed from these Terms. The remaining provisions of these Terms shall continue in full force and effect.

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices or agreements published on our website, constitute the entire agreement between you and Bethesda Therapy regarding your use of the website. These Terms supersede any prior or contemporaneous agreements, communications, or understandings (whether oral or written) regarding the subject matter herein.

You may not assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms or your rights and obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. Any attempted assignment in violation of this provision shall be void. Bethesda Therapy may assign these Terms, in whole or in part, to any successor entity (including in the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of substantially all assets, or similar corporate transaction) without your consent or prior notice. Any such assignment shall bind and inure to the benefit of our successors, assigns, and legal representatives.

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. No waiver of any term shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term, and our failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about these Terms, please contact us:

• Email: hello@wearebethesdatherapy.com
• Phone: (240) 389-0027
• Business Name: Bethesda Therapy LLC

Please also review our related policies:

• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• No Surprises Act Notice