Terms of Service for Recovery Counseling

Anyone registering, paying, and choosing to use Recovery Awareness LLC agrees to the following Consent for Service, Limits, and Terms of Use:

Limits to Confidentiality and Privacy

Confidentiality policies are essential for ensuring a trusted exchange of client/clinician information and are also governed by federal law. Recovery Awareness LLC complies with federal confidentiality guidelines under Federal Confidentiality regulations (42 CFR Part 2) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA 45 CFR). This protection of confidentiality specifically safeguards the records of mental health, alcohol, and drug abuse patients, including the prohibition of re-disclosure of information from client/patient records. HIPAA also mandates that mental health and substance use counseling professionals inform all clients that information provided by Recovery Awareness LLC, when voluntarily disclosed to third parties (such as courts, probation officers, physicians, and schools), may be re-disclosed by those third parties.

Furthermore, following the mentioned federal laws, Recovery Awareness LLC has the obligation to limit client/customer confidentiality and report specific information under certain circumstances:

1. Recovery Awareness LLC is mandated to report suspected or known abuse of children and vulnerable adults to local law enforcement and/or local child/adult protective agencies.

2. Recovery Awareness LLC must report specific information to local law enforcement when a client is at significant risk of self-harm or posing a risk to others. Recovery Awareness LLC will make a concerted effort to assist clients in accessing appropriate professional care in such cases.

3. Recovery Awareness LLC is obliged to release your records for legal proceedings if ordered by a court to do so.

Recovery Awareness LLC employs security-encrypted (SSL) transmission for all professional assessment and counseling services completed online. If you opt for webcam/video/telephone services, including uploading, downloading, or faxing personal information to or from Recovery Awareness LLC, please be aware that while unlikely, there remains a risk of data interception. Recovery Awareness client records are securely stored on encrypted servers or in secure facilities where access is restricted to the professional evaluator assigned to the client and their clinical supervisors. Identifying names are not used by the evaluator when discussing client circumstances with a professional supervisor.

Please note that there is no express or implied warranty for any client losses, damage, or harm arising from the use of electronic services. This encompasses issues such as unauthorized data interception, data theft, unintended utility charges, computer/electronic viruses, accidental data deletion, or any other claims of harm resulting from your decision to engage Recovery Awareness services via electronic means (telephone, fax, internet, wireless, email, video/webcam, or any future electronic delivery services).

Use of Email

Unless you expressly request that your Recovery Awareness LLC assessment report or other private information be sent via mail, you consent to the following:

- To receive your report by email, acknowledging that email communication involves security risks, and that Recovery Awareness LLC and its associates are not liable for any breaches of your privacy due to various reasons.

- You agree to submit a specific written request (email is acceptable) if you do not wish for your report or other private information to be sent to you via email.

Client Responsibilities for Transfer of Your Records to Requesting Parties

You understand that Recovery Awareness LLC will place an official document or report, signed by a credentialed professional, in your online account with Recovery Awareness LLC. As outlined elsewhere in this document, you are responsible for reviewing the document in its entirety before releasing it to any individual or organization. You may provide the official document to any requesting party at any time (e.g., court, probation officer, attorney, employer, etc.). If you would like us to send your document or report, you will need to complete a Release of Information form found in your account documents.

Recovery Awareness LLC is a corporation established in the state of Florida. The name "Recovery Awareness LLC" refers to the corporate entity and its website (recoveryawarenesscounseling.com), as well as its directors, officers, agents, employees, successors, and assigns. Registered users of the recoveryawarenesscounseling.com website will hereafter be referred to as "you/your", "client", or "the client". As a client, it is important to familiarize yourself with your client responsibilities regarding our Confidentiality Policies and the Substance Use Counseling services we provide.

You agree that you are 18 years old or older. If you are not, you must have a parent or guardian establish the registration, payment, and Consent for Service and Terms of Use Agreement on your behalf. Minors using our services for Substance Use Counseling must complete the online questionnaire portion of the assessment independently, without the assistance of a parent, guardian, or any other third parties, while adhering to our Client Responsibilities and Confidentiality Policies.

You understand and consent to treatment for professional services from Recovery Awareness, including substance use counseling. Recovery Awareness services are provided by certified and/or licensed mental health practitioners, who may render a mental health diagnosis where appropriate and document such diagnoses in your written records. You also consent to the release of information for therapeutic, billing, supervision, and other purposes related to your treatment, as outlined in our confidentiality policies. This release may involve communication between Recovery Awareness therapists, staff, and service contractors performing supervisory work on behalf of Recovery Awareness. For a more detailed description of how your (or your child’s) health information may be released and used, please refer to the current Notice of Privacy Practices, which is available on the Recovery Awareness website.

Recovery Awareness recognizes the absolute importance of client responsibilities regarding the privacy and confidentiality of client records. This section of the Agreement outlines our confidentiality policies and general security practices to keep your information safe: 

All records are stored on SSL encrypted servers. 

Paper records/documents related to your substance use counseling services are kept in locked cabinets. 

Account passwords are set to health industry standards, ensuring appropriate length and sufficient variation in characters to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access by any third party. 

Sessions conducted via webcam/video are not recorded by Recovery Awareness. 

We do not sell your email or other personal contact information to any parties. 

Occasionally, for training and supervision purposes, we may request your permission to allow an audio recording of your clinical interview. You are free to decline such requests, and any recordings that you agree to will be destroyed within 30 days of the recording.

You understand that payment for service is due before receiving any substance use counseling from Recovery Awareness. Additionally, you acknowledge that Recovery Awareness has no contractual obligations with your insurance company or yourself that would guarantee reimbursement for the expenses you incur for any and all services provided. It is also important to be aware of your client responsibilities and the confidentiality policies in place.

You understand that substance use or drug and/or alcohol evaluations may include chemical tests on a case-by-case basis. If you are not present in our office at the time of your assessment, you may be asked to obtain an independent chemical test (e.g., urine drug screen, hair test sample, etc.) from a professional lab to present with your final assessment report. Please note that any chemical test fees are not included in the cost of your Recovery Awareness assessment and are the sole responsibility of the client. This aligns with your client responsibilities throughout the evaluation process.

Client Cancellation Policy and Broken Appointment Fees

You understand and agree that a fee will be charged to your account if you cancel your interview or appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice. You also understand and agree that Recovery Awareness reserves the right to cancel your service and refund your payments minus any broken appointment fees if you cancel two or more scheduled interviews or appointment times with less than 24 hours’ notice. These broken appointment fees are $50.00 per appointment and are charged to partially offset the loss of revenue that occurs when a time has been reserved for a client but is no longer available due to short notice cancellation.

Client Will Accurately Report Information

As a client, you agree to provide accurate information about yourself and your circumstances surrounding your need for an evaluation or substance use counseling to the best of your ability. This includes an agreement to not omit relevant information or present inaccurate details about your situation. If inaccurate information is provided or important information is deliberately omitted, you will not be eligible for a refund if your assessment is not accepted.

Recovery Awareness LLC is not a Government Entity

You understand that Recovery Awareness is not a state or federal organization. While our assessments and clinical reports are generally accepted by other professionals and government agencies, you also understand that any clinical conclusions, diagnoses, or professional recommendations provided by Recovery Awareness may or may not be accepted or approved by courts, state, or federal agencies. Furthermore, courts, state, and federal agencies are not bound to agree with our assessments or clinical recommendations, in accordance with confidentiality policies.

You understand that there is a chance that internet or phone connection could be lost during your services related to substance use counseling. In the event that your connection is lost, the counselor will attempt to contact you at the number you provided in your registration. If you have not heard from your counselor within five minutes, you agree to call our main number to reestablish connection and plan for the continuance of your service. You also agree to hold Recovery Awareness harmless with regard to any and all claims of damage from an electronic disconnection during services (also referred to in the Client Responsibilities section of this agreement). 

Limited Use of Assessments

You understand and agree that professional assessments prepared for one authority (e.g., a court, a licensing agency, a child services agency, etc.) may not be accepted by another authority. For example, a state licensing agency may require a different reporting format, provider credentials, etc., than a court, making a court assessment unacceptable to their agency. Accordingly, you agree to accurately represent to ndsbs.com what authority is requesting your assessment. (see refund terms and conditions) Furthermore, you understand and agree that each requesting authority has its own acceptable timeframe to consider an assessment as valid. Recovery Awareness cannot be held responsible for your submission of an assessment to an authority after what the requesting authority considers a reasonable timeframe. 

Respect of Copyrights

All assessment, evaluation, educational, and other materials made available on our website and provided in our offices are governed by confidentiality policies and are copyrighted. You may use our materials for the purpose of Recovery Awareness assessment, counseling, or education services only. You agree not to use any aforementioned Recovery Awareness materials in any other manner, including copying, reproducing, scanning, distributing, publishing, selling, or otherwise conducting commercial activity with Recovery Awareness materials. Efforts to engage in such activity are punishable by state and federal laws.

You agree that you are using Recovery Awareness services at your own risk and understand your Client Responsibilities, which include recognizing that there is no guarantee of any specific clinical diagnosis or treatment recommendations, such as education, counseling, or other treatment services. Additionally, there is no warranty for our services, and third parties are not bound by any contracts or laws to accept or agree with our assessment, evaluation, or other clinical conclusions, in accordance with our Confidentiality Policies regarding substance use counseling.

To file a complaint with us, please contact the Owner of the practice at: Recovery Awareness, 7014 SW CR 796, Lake Butler, FL 32054, or call (352) 440-6622. We assure you that you will not face retaliation for filing a complaint. 

Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA) 

I acknowledge my receipt of Recovery Awareness’ Notice of Privacy Practices, which complements our Confidentiality Policies. This notice is included in this Consent for Service Agreement and is also available on our website and in our office for any client to access at any time while engaging in our Substance Use Counseling services.

Any dispute arising from this Consent for Treatment and Terms of Use Agreement, including matters related to client responsibilities under confidentiality policies, shall be governed by the laws and jurisdiction of the State of Florida.

Notice of Changes

Recovery Awareness may notify clients of changes or additions to its substance use counseling services by publishing such notice on the Recovery Awareness website. Clients may give notice to Recovery Awareness at any time by any of the following: Email: info@recoveryawarenesscounseling.com Fax: 352.224.9232 U.S. Mail: 7014 SW CR 796, Lake Butler FL 32054.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you, the client, and Recovery Awareness LLC. The content represented herein supersedes all previous written or verbal terms of use agreements. Recovery Awareness LLC may amend, modify, clarify, or remove any part of this agreement with notice through the ndsbs.com website. Any use of Recovery Awareness services related to substance use counseling by you after any amendments, modifications, clarifications, or deletions shall be deemed to constitute acceptance by you of the updated terms of the agreement. You also acknowledge your client responsibilities, including adherence to our confidentiality policies. You understand that if a court deems any part of this agreement to be illegal or a violation of Florida statutes, the remaining parts of the agreement shall be considered valid and enforceable until proven otherwise in a Florida court of law. By signing in person or clicking on the 'agree' button below this Consent for Service, this Limits and Terms of Use Agreement shall be construed and controlled by the applicable laws of the state of Florida and the United States of America.