Disclaimers for FrancesBarry.net

Effective Date: April 2026

FrancesBarry.net is an informational website regarding the psychotherapy services offered by Frances Barry, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). It does not constitute professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a qualified mental health professional.

Email communication is not fully secure and should not be used for clinical emergencies.

CRISIS AND EMERGENCY RESOURCES

This website is not a crisis intervention resource and is not monitored 24 hours a day. If you or someone you know is experiencing a psychiatric emergency or is in immediate danger, do not use this website or email to seek help.

Instead, please contact one of the following immediately:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988
Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
Emergency Services — call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room

Therapist-Client Relationship

Visiting this website, reading its content, or reaching out via a contact form or email does not create a therapist-client relationship. A formal professional relationship begins only after client has executed a signed services agreement and an initial appointment has occurred.

Licensure & Scope of Practice

I am a licensed mental health professional in the State of California. My services are provided solely within the scope of my license and applicable California law. I am a solo practitioner and do not employ or supervise other clinicians. Any referrals I provide are offered as a courtesy and do not constitute an endorsement of another provider.

Third-Party Links

This website may include links to outside resources for informational purposes. These links do not represent an endorsement of any external organization, product, or service, and I am not responsible for the content or accuracy of third-party sites.

Privacy

Your privacy is protected in accordance with HIPAA and California law, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Please refer to my Privacy Policy for full details on how your information is collected, used, and safeguarded.

Mandated Reporter Obligations

As a licensed mental health professional in California, I am a mandated reporter under California law, including the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and the Elder and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA). This means I am legally required to report to the appropriate authorities if I have reasonable suspicion that:

A child (anyone under 18) is being abused, neglected, or exploited
An elder (anyone 65 or older) or dependent adult is being abused, neglected, financially exploited, or is in a situation that endangers their health or safety.

These reports are made regardless of whether the information arises in the context of a therapy session, and this duty supersedes the general confidentiality protections of our therapeutic relationship. Making a mandated report does not automatically end our work together, and I will discuss the process with you openly whenever possible and clinically appropriate.

Telehealth Services

I offer telehealth services via two secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms, depending on the nature of the appointment:

Video therapy sessions with child clients are conducted through SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant practice management platform purpose-built for mental health providers.
Virtual parent consultations are conducted through Zoom for Healthcare. I have executed a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Zoom, as required under HIPAA, ensuring that protected health information shared during these sessions is safeguarded in accordance with applicable law.

Telehealth services are available only to individuals who are physically located within California at the time of their session, unless otherwise authorized under an applicable licensing agreement or interstate compact. While every reasonable precaution is taken to protect confidentiality, no method of electronic transmission is entirely without risk, and by participating in telehealth you acknowledge these inherent limitations.

In-Person Services

In-person sessions are held at my office location. I maintain reasonable safety practices consistent with professional and public health standards. However, you assume certain inherent risks associated with in-person contact.

No Guaranteed Outcomes

Therapy is a collaborative process, and results vary from person to person. Nothing on this website should be understood as a promise or guarantee of any particular outcome. Progress is influenced by many individual factors, and there is no assurance that therapy will achieve specific goals within a specific timeframe.

Good Faith Estimate

Under the federal No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of services before your first appointment. If you are uninsured or paying out of pocket, a written Good Faith Estimate will be provided to you upon request.

Session Policies
(i) Client agrees to pay fees to Frances Barry in accordance with the rate agreed upon prior to the commencement of therapy.

(ii) Payment in full is due following each child or parent session.

(iii) Frances Barry is authorized to charge the Client's credit card on file following each session.

(iv) A 48-hour cancellation policy applies to all sessions. Any session canceled within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment will be charged the full session fee.

(v) Client is responsible for any fees incurred in connection with chargebacks or collection efforts required to recover outstanding payment.

(vi) Each session will be held for the duration specified in the agreement between Frances Barry and Client, and will take place in-office, via Zoom, SimplePractice, or by telephone.

Contact Me

If you have any questions about these Disclaimers, please contact Frances Barry at Frances@FrancesBarry.net. I aim to respond within 7 business days.