DISCLAIMER — West Oak Therapy & Consultation PLLC (2026)

Updated: 06/22/2026

A clear explanation of what this website does and does not provide, and the boundaries that protect both you and the practice.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026 Legal Business Name: West Oak Therapy & Consultation PLLC Business Email: jen@westoaktherapy.com Business Phone Number: 253-235-3002 Business Mailing Address: PO Box 194 Eatonville, WA 98328 Governing Law: RCW 18.225, RCW 19.86, RCW 70.02, WAC 246‑809, Federal HIPAA

Why This Disclaimer Exists

This Disclaimer exists to help you understand:

  • What this website is for

  • What it is not for

  • What you can expect from me as a Washington‑licensed LMFT

  • What boundaries protect your privacy and safety

  • What responsibilities you have as a visitor

  • How to interpret the information you read here

This page protects you by setting clear expectations, and it protects my practice by outlining the limits of what I can ethically and legally offer outside of a therapeutic relationship.

1. Educational Information Only — Not Therapy or Clinical Advice

Everything on this website — including articles, descriptions of services, blog posts, FAQs, and resources — is intended for general educational purposes only.

This website does not:

  • Provide diagnosis

  • Provide treatment

  • Offer clinical recommendations

  • Replace therapy

  • Serve as a substitute for professional mental health care

Under RCW 18.225, therapy can only occur within a formal therapeutic relationship — not through a website.

2. No Therapist–Client Relationship Is Created by Using This Website

Reading this website, sending an email, or submitting a contact form does not create a therapeutic relationship.

A therapeutic relationship begins only when:

  • We mutually agree to work together

  • You complete the intake process

  • You sign informed consent

  • A clinical record is created in my HIPAA‑compliant EHR

This protects your privacy and ensures your information is handled appropriately.

3. No Emergency or Crisis Support

This website and email are not monitored for emergency communication.

If you are in crisis or immediate danger, please contact:

  • 988 (Washington State Crisis Line)

  • 911

  • Your nearest emergency room

This boundary is required by ethics and law to keep you safe.

4. No Legal, Medical, or Financial Advice

Although therapy often touches on relationships, health, and life decisions, nothing on this website should be interpreted as:

  • Legal advice

  • Medical advice

  • Financial advice

  • Professional recommendations outside my scope

If you need guidance in these areas, please consult the appropriate licensed professional.

5. Accuracy and Completeness of Information

I strive to provide accurate, up‑to‑date information. However, mental health knowledge evolves, and website content may not always reflect the most current research or clinical standards.

This website may include:

  • General mental health information

  • Educational resources

  • Practice updates

  • Blog posts or articles

These are not tailored to your specific situation and should not be interpreted as personalized advice.

6. External Links and Third‑Party Resources

This website may link to external resources for convenience.

I do not:

  • Endorse third‑party content

  • Control the accuracy of external information

  • Guarantee the privacy practices of other websites

Please review the privacy policies and terms of any external site you visit.

7. Social Media Boundaries

I do not use social media messaging for clinical communication.

If you contact me through social media:

  • I will not respond there

  • I will redirect you to email or my secure EHR

  • I will not discuss clinical matters publicly or privately on social platforms

This protects your confidentiality and maintains professional boundaries.

8. Consultation Boundaries

Requesting a consultation does not guarantee ongoing services or create a therapeutic relationship.

Consultations are:

  • Informational

  • Exploratory

  • Not clinical assessments

  • Not therapy

This ensures clarity and protects your privacy.

9. HIPAA & Confidentiality Limitations

HIPAA applies only once you become a client and your information is entered into my secure EHR.

This website is not a HIPAA‑covered environment.

Do not send sensitive or clinical information through:

  • Email

  • Website forms

  • Social media

Your clinical privacy rights are outlined in your HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP), provided at intake.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Washington law, West Oak Therapy & Consultation PLLC is not liable for:

  • Reliance on website information

  • Errors or omissions

  • Technical issues or outages

  • Unauthorized access to transmissions

  • Actions taken based on website content

This is standard business protection for all professional websites.

11. No Guarantees of Outcomes

Therapy outcomes vary based on many factors, including:

  • Your goals

  • Your readiness

  • Your engagement

  • The nature of your concerns

No results are guaranteed or implied by anything on this website.

12. Changes to This Disclaimer

This Disclaimer may be updated periodically. The effective date will be revised when changes occur. Continued use of the website indicates acceptance of updated terms.

Summary

  • This site is educational, not therapy.

  • Reading this site or emailing me does not make you a client.

  • I cannot provide crisis support through this website.

  • Nothing here is legal, medical, or financial advice.

  • External links are for convenience only.

  • Consultations are not therapy.

  • HIPAA applies only once you become a client.