Terms of Use

Last Updated: December 3, 2025

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing and using this website ("Site"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using this Site.

2. Nature of Website Content

2.1 Educational Purpose

The content provided on this Site, including blog posts, articles, videos, and other materials, is for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to:

  • Create a therapist-client relationship

  • Substitute for professional mental health treatment

  • Provide medical, psychological, or psychiatric advice

  • Serve as a diagnostic tool

  • Replace in-person consultation with a qualified mental health professional

2.2 No Professional Relationship

Merely accessing this Site, reading content, or contacting us through forms or email does not establish a therapist-client relationship. A formal therapeutic relationship is established only through:

  • Completion of intake procedures

  • Execution of informed consent documents

  • Mutual agreement to engage in therapeutic services

  • Payment arrangements and fee agreements

3. Use of Services

3.3 Telehealth Services

If telehealth services are offered through this Site:

  • You must have a reliable internet connection and appropriate technology

  • You understand the limitations and risks of telehealth communication

  • You agree to participate from a private, secure location

  • You acknowledge that telehealth may not be appropriate for all clinical situations

  • Emergency services cannot be provided through telehealth platforms

3.4 Psychedelic Integration Services

Information about psychedelic integration therapy is provided for educational purposes. These services:

  • Do not involve the provision, recommendation, or facilitation of any controlled substances

  • Focus on preparation and integration of experiences that occur in legal, supervised settings

  • Require separate informed consent and clinical assessment

  • Are subject to applicable state and federal laws

4. Privacy and Confidentiality

4.1 HIPAA Compliance

For clients engaged in therapeutic services, we maintain compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, please note:

  • Information submitted through general website forms may not be encrypted or HIPAA-compliant

  • Do not include sensitive health information in general contact forms

  • Confidential communication occurs only through designated secure channels provided after establishing a therapeutic relationship

4.2 Website Analytics

This Site may use cookies, analytics tools, and tracking technologies to improve user experience. By using this Site, you consent to such data collection as described in our Privacy Policy.

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Ownership

All content on this Site, including text, graphics, logos, images, videos, audio clips, and software, is the property of [Practice Name] or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws.

5.2 Limited License

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to:

  • Access and view content for personal, non-commercial use

  • Print or download content for personal reference

  • Share links to our content with proper attribution

5.3 Restrictions

You may not:

  • Reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, or exploit any content for commercial purposes

  • Modify or create derivative works from our content

  • Remove copyright or proprietary notices

  • Use automated systems or software to extract data from the Site ("scraping")

  • Frame or embed our content on other websites without permission

6. User Conduct

When using this Site, you agree not to:

  • Violate any applicable laws or regulations

  • Transmit harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, or obscene content

  • Impersonate any person or entity

  • Interfere with or disrupt the Site's functionality

  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site

  • Upload viruses, malware, or other malicious code

  • Collect or store personal data about other users

7. Third-Party Links and Resources

This Site may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services. We:

  • Do not endorse or assume responsibility for third-party content

  • Are not liable for any damages arising from your use of third-party resources

  • Encourage you to review the terms and policies of any third-party sites you visit

8. Mental Health Crisis and Emergencies

8.1 Emergency Disclaimer

This Site does not provide emergency or crisis services. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, please:

  • Call 911 immediately

  • Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

  • Go to your nearest emergency room

  • Contact your local crisis center

8.2 Limitations of Online Content

Blog posts, videos, and other content cannot address individual circumstances or provide immediate intervention for crisis situations.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

This Site and all content are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

  • Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose

  • Warranties that the Site will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free

  • Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of content

  • Warranties that defects will be corrected

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, District Counseling and Psychotherapy at Joseph LaFleur and Associates and its owners, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for:

  • Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages

  • Loss of profits, revenue, data, or use

  • Damages arising from your access to or inability to access the Site

  • Damages arising from your reliance on any content or information on the Site

  • Personal injury or property damage resulting from your use of the Site

This limitation applies whether the alleged liability is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other basis, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damage.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless District Counseling and Psychotherapy at Joseph LaFleur and Associates and its owners, employees, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or in any way connected with:

  • Your access to or use of the Site

  • Your violation of these Terms of Use

  • Your violation of any third-party rights

  • Any content you submit or transmit through the Site

12. State Licensure and Jurisdiction

12.1 Licensed Practice Areas

District Counseling and Psychotherapy at Joseph LaFleur and Associates is licensed to provide mental health services in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. Services are only available to clients physically located in these jurisdictions where the provider holds active licensure.

12.2 Governing Law

These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

12.3 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Site shall be resolved through:

  • Good faith negotiations between parties

  • Mediation, if negotiations fail

  • Exclusive jurisdiction in the courts of the District of Columbia, if mediation is unsuccessful

13. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Site with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

We encourage you to review these Terms periodically to stay informed of updates.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published on the Site, constitute the entire agreement between you and District Counseling and Psychotherapy at Joseph LaFleur and Associates regarding your use of the Site.

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Use, please contact:

District Counseling and Psychotherapy (DistrictCP)
Joseph LaFleur and Associates
2001 L Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 641-5335
Email: contact@districtcounseling.com

17. Accessibility Commitment

We are committed to ensuring our Site is accessible to people with disabilities. If you experience difficulty accessing any part of this Site, please contact us so we can assist you.

18. Children's Privacy

This Site is not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are under 18, please do not use this Site or provide any information without parental consent.

19. Professional Credentials

Information about therapist credentials, training, and specializations is accurate as of the date posted. You may verify credentials through:

  • State licensing boards

  • Professional association directories

  • Direct inquiry to our practice

20. Client Rights

If you become a client, you have specific rights under state and federal law, including:

  • The right to confidentiality (with legal exceptions)

  • The right to informed consent

  • The right to access your records

  • The right to file complaints with licensing boards

  • The right to terminate services

These rights will be fully explained in the informed consent documents provided at the beginning of the therapeutic relationship.

Acknowledgment: By using this Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use.