Informed Consent
Terms and Conditions
Service Policies

Informed Consent

Confidentiality

Your patient records and information are securely stored and accessible only to the Mental Health Team of Roland Abina-Japone, RPsy, which includes mental health professionals and service coordinators.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our service, but there are specific situations where it must be suspended:

When there is a serious, known, and foreseeable risk of harm to yourself or others.
When there are current instances of abuse, in any form, being committed against a vulnerable person.
When a court order is issued or when the law legally requires the release of information.
When you, the client or patient, have provided written authorization for such release.

Outcome of the Mental Health Service

The success of therapy or counseling is dependent on the quality of the efforts of both the mental health professional and the patient. The patient is responsible for the lifestyle choices or changes they make as an outcome of therapy. The therapist is free from obligations to appear in private or legal proceedings on behalf of the patient unless a court order is issued or is required by law and the client has formally engaged the therapist for such purposes, with separate contractual arrangements and fees.

Duty to Warn

If the mental health professional believes that the client is in danger, physically, emotionally, or psychologically, from themselves or another person, consent is given for the mental health professionals to warn the person in danger or contact any person in a position to prevent harm to the client/patient or another person, including law enforcement, medical personnel, or emergency contacts of the client/patient. This authorization expires upon termination of mental health services with the patient.

Termination of Services

At any point in time, the client/patient has the right to request in writing to terminate the service or consult to stop.

Documentation and Use of Professional Records

The mental health professional will take notes of what has occurred during the MH consultations, which will be used for monitoring and documenting client/patient progress.

All data will be securely stored for the entire duration of the client’s engagement with our services and for 1 year thereafter, or up to a maximum of 15 years per the recommendation of the Department of Health. All forms of data will be disposed of and discarded in a secure manner that would prevent processing after the client or patient terminates their mental health services or up to a maximum of 15 years, per the recommendation of the Department of Health, as stated in Administrative Order 2016-0002 “Privacy Guidelines on the Implementation of the Philippine Health Information Exchange.”

Terms and Conditions

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Disclaimer

The Online Psychotherapy Private Practice provides psychotherapy and counseling services through the NowServing App, aimed at supporting emotional well-being, personal growth, and mental health management. While we strive to offer professional, ethical, and evidence-based therapeutic care, please note that psychotherapy results vary based on individual circumstances and engagement in the process.

By using our services, you acknowledge that therapy is not a substitute for crisis intervention services. The effectiveness of therapy is highly dependent on personal commitment, openness, and consistent participation. Our commitment is to provide professional and ethical care; however, the therapeutic process can sometimes involve uncomfortable emotions, and clients acknowledge that these are a natural part of personal growth.

Crisis Situations and Emergency Protocol

By accessing or participating in psychotherapy sessions, you expressly acknowledge and agree that these services are not intended for emergency response or crisis intervention. The Online Psychotherapy Private Practice does not provide immediate crisis management or psychiatric emergency services.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, including but not limited to suicidal ideation, self-harm urges, severe panic attacks, manic episodes, or other urgent psychiatric concerns, you agree to seek immediate assistance by contacting Philippine Emergency Services (911) or other crisis intervention hotlines. The Online Psychotherapy Private Practice bears no liability for failure to obtain emergency care or for any decisions made outside the scope of therapeutic treatment.

Limitation of Liability

The Online Psychotherapy Private Practice and its therapist are committed to maintaining professional, ethical, and secure therapeutic practices. However, we cannot be held liable for any damages, dissatisfaction, or unintended consequences arising from the use of our psychotherapy services through the NowServing App.

This limitation includes, but is not limited to, technical disruptions, subjective dissatisfaction with therapeutic outcomes, or emotional discomfort experienced during therapy discussions. It does not extend to distress caused by negligent therapeutic practices or violations of professional standards.

Decisions made by clients based on therapy sessions are ultimately their responsibility. While the therapist provides guidance within professional and ethical boundaries, they do not control or dictate client actions. The Private Practice and its therapist shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from personal choices, interpretations, or actions taken by clients following therapy, except in cases of demonstrable negligence or malpractice.

Under no circumstances shall the Online Psychotherapy Private Practice, the therapist, or affiliates be held responsible for any financial losses, data breaches, or indirect impacts arising from the use or inability to use our services, except where required by applicable law. The Private Practice does not assume liability for content shared by clients or third parties on the platform; however, clients remain responsible for ensuring their shared content complies with ethical and legal standards.

Service Policies

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Appointment Scheduling and Guidelines

Due to high demand, appointments are scheduled on an earliest-available basis and are not on-demand. Services are not for medical emergencies or urgent crises. For immediate needs, clients are encouraged to explore other available psychologists on the platform. Advance booking is highly recommended to secure preferred session dates.

Session Duration

Each psychotherapy session with the therapist lasts 45 to 50 minutes. If a session extends beyond 1 hour, additional fees may apply. Please discuss any anticipated extension with your therapist.

Rescheduling, Cancellation, and No-Show Policy

We understand that plans can change. Our policies are designed to ensure fair access to appointments for all clients and to manage our professional schedule effectively.

Rescheduling Your Session:

To reschedule an appointment without a fee, you must notify us at least 72 hours before your scheduled session.
If you request to reschedule within 72 hours of your appointment, a late rescheduling fee of PHP 750.00 will apply. Your original session fee will be applied to the new session once this late rescheduling fee is paid. Failure to pay the late rescheduling fee and confirm the new slot within 24 hours will result in the forfeiture of your original appointment and its fee.

Cancelling Your Session:

If you cancel your appointment more than 72 hours before the scheduled time, you are eligible for a full refund of your session fee.
For cancellations made within 72 hours of your appointment, the session fee is non-refundable.

No-Show Policy:

If you anticipate being late, please inform your psychologist in advance. Arriving late may result in a shorter session to maintain the schedule.
If you do not attend your scheduled session within the first 15 minutes without prior notification, it will be marked as a "No-Show." No refunds will be provided for missed sessions due to a no-show.

General Policy on Refunds (Client-Initiated): Please note that once a consultation request has been accepted by the psychologist and the appointment is confirmed, refunds for client-initiated cancellations within 72 hours or no-shows are not issued. This policy helps uphold fairness to both our clients and our practice.

Therapist Cancellations and Emergencies

While we strive to maintain a consistent and reliable service, there may be rare occasions when the therapist needs to cancel or reschedule an appointment due to unforeseen circumstances. These may include:

Health Emergencies: If the therapist experiences a sudden health issue or emergency that prevents them from attending the scheduled session.
Family Emergencies: In the event of an urgent family matter requiring the therapist’s immediate attention.
Natural Disasters or Tragic Events: Unforeseen events such as natural disasters, accidents, or tragedies that affect the therapist’s ability to provide services.

We understand that such cancellations are inconvenient, and we assure you that these situations are handled with the utmost care and attention. In the event of a cancellation due to these circumstances, you are entitled to one of the following options:

Full Refund: A full refund will be issued for the canceled session.
Rebooking: You may choose to reschedule your session to the next available time slot that works for both you and the therapist.

We will inform you as soon as possible in the event of a cancellation due to these emergencies, and we will work with you to promptly reschedule your appointment. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility during these rare and unavoidable situations.

Post-Consultation Documents

As a courtesy, post-consultation documents and worksheets are provided within 72 hours after your session and sent via the NowServing App. These documents are free at present but require careful preparation. If you are still waiting to receive them within 72 hours, please contact us for follow-up.

Use of Artificial Intelligence for Document Quality Assurance

As part of our commitment to providing high-quality and effective services, post-consultation documents (such as therapeutic assignments) may be reviewed and enhanced for grammar, readability, and overall improvement using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Please note the following:

No identifying or personal information is included when processing these documents through AI, ensuring complete confidentiality and privacy.
The AI system used operates locally, similar to Ollama, NVIDIA's G-Assist technology/ChatRTX custom LLM, without requiring internet access. This ensures that your data remains secure and protected within our system.
The primary purpose of this process is to ensure that the materials provided to you are clear, accurate, and holistic in their value to your therapeutic journey.

Your privacy and trust are our highest priorities, and we take all necessary measures to safeguard your information while continuously improving the quality of our services.

Accurate Personal Information

Clients are required to provide their full legal name, complete address, and birthdate when booking and engaging in services. This information is essential for maintaining accurate and secure medical records, as required by law and professional standards. Failure to provide accurate personal information may affect the quality and compliance of the services provided.

In addition, clients are kindly requested to provide and regularly update the name and contact details of a trusted family member or emergency contact. This ensures that, in the unlikely event of an emergency, appropriate support can be reached promptly in accordance with ethical practice and applicable Philippine regulations.

By agreeing to this informed consent, clients acknowledge their responsibility to keep this emergency contact information up to date. Should a client choose not to provide or update such details, they understand that the therapist cannot be held liable for any limitations in response or assistance that may arise due to the absence of updated emergency contact information.

This requirement is intended to foster a collaborative and safe therapeutic environment, where both the client and therapist share responsibility for ensuring continuity of care and safeguarding the client's well-being.

Account Usage and Privacy

Each client is encouraged to create an account to comply with data management and privacy standards. Session documentation is accessible only to the patient and protected by client-therapist confidentiality. If the client chooses to share their document, they assume responsibility for that access.

Client accounts are strictly for personal use. No other individuals are permitted to use a client's account, nor may clients book appointments on behalf of others. Consent and informed agreement are required directly from the individual receiving services to ensure ethical and professional compliance with counseling policies.

Private Practice Support Capacity

We ask that all communication with our team be respectful and considerate. As a small practice, we operate with limited staffing to keep our services affordable. Our team manages a high volume of inquiries and administrative tasks daily. While we strive to respond promptly, you may experience delayed response times. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Respectful Communication Policy

Our Private Practice is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all clients and our mental health team. We expect all communication to be conducted professionally.

Unacceptable behaviors include:

Hostile behavior, such as threats, verbal abuse, aggression, or any form of harassment.
Disrespectful communication, including sarcastic, demeaning, condescending, or indirectly hostile comments. This also applies to demanding or repeated requests that disregard established boundaries or operational capacity.

Such behaviors create an unsafe or uncomfortable environment and will not be tolerated.

If any team member feels unsafe or disrespected due to a client's behavior, it may be considered grounds for termination of the therapeutic relationship. In such instances:

The client will be informed of the specific behavior leading to this decision.
Any remaining scheduled sessions may be canceled, and no refunds will be provided for unused sessions.
Referrals to alternative mental health providers may be offered, if appropriate, to ensure continuity of care.

Professional Fees and Adjustments

Professional fees are subject to periodic review and adjustment to ensure the continued delivery of quality services and maintain Private Practice operations. While we strive to provide reasonable notice of any fee changes, we reserve the right to adjust fees as necessary. Clients will be notified of any fee adjustments via an announcement on our NowServing profile before their implementation. It is the client's responsibility to review these announcements periodically.

Data Responsibility and Security

We are committed to protecting your personal and mental health data. We utilize industry-standard security measures, including the robust features provided by the NowServing App. However, it's important to understand that no online system is entirely immune to cybersecurity threats, and the possibility of unauthorized access by third parties always exists.

While we take all reasonable precautions to safeguard your data, the therapist and the Online Psychotherapy Private Practice cannot be held liable for data breaches or leaks that result from factors beyond our direct control.

To help protect your information, it is also your responsibility to ensure the security of your devices and to implement best practices, such as using strong, unique passwords and maintaining your device's security.

For specific questions or concerns regarding data security related to the NowServing App, please contact their Data Protection Officer (DPO) directly, as they are responsible for overseeing the platform's data security.

Prohibition of Session Recording

Recording therapy sessions in any form is strictly prohibited, as it violates data privacy laws and professional ethics. By booking a teleconsultation/consultation, clients acknowledge and agree not to record any part of their sessions. Breach of this policy may result in the termination of services and additional actions as deemed necessary to protect confidentiality and uphold privacy.

Confidentiality of Therapist’s Personal Information

The therapeutic relationship is founded on mutual respect and confidentiality. While the therapist maintains professional boundaries, there may be instances where personal information about the therapist is inadvertently disclosed or becomes known to the client during sessions. Clients agree to respect the therapist’s privacy by not disclosing, discussing, or sharing any personal information about the therapist—including any details related to the therapist’s personal life—without the explicit written consent of the therapist.

Please note that any unauthorized disclosure of such information may have repercussions under the relevant laws in the Philippines, including, but not limited to, legal action for breaches of privacy or confidentiality. Violations of this agreement may also result in the termination of the therapeutic relationship.

Dispute Resolution and Communication Agreement

By booking a teleconsultation/consultation with Roland Julius Abina-Japone, you acknowledge and agree to communicate any concerns or dissatisfaction directly with the Psychologist to resolve the matter constructively. Publicly sharing grievances through online or public platforms is discouraged to protect confidentiality and maintain professionalism.

You further agree that publicly posting defamatory or unsubstantiated claims may harm the Psychologist’s professional reputation and may lead to appropriate legal action. This agreement ensures a respectful resolution process while safeguarding the trust and integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

Contact

If you have questions or concerns about our services or terms, please contact us through the platform’s messaging system or via email at info@urpsych.com or clientsupport@urpsych.com.

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Informed Consent
Terms and Conditions
Service Policies