Practice Policies
Communication
The best way to reach me is by e-mail through this form, providing information about yourself, the services you’re seeking and the best way to get in touch with you. You may also reach me by phone, although I do not have a receptionist or answering service, nor do I answer the phone during sessions. If you leave a confidential voicemail or text message on a weekday I will get back to you within 48 hours and on weekends by Tuesday.
Policies
You are able to log into the schedule an reschedule as you need to if its more than 48 hours. If you cancel or do not show, within 48 hours of your scheduled session, you will be charged in full for the cost of the session. Thank you in advance for honoring this business and the practitioner’s time.
Emergencies
I am not an urgent care or emergency psychiatric mental health practitioner or practice. If you are having a psychiatric emergency or if you are thinking of hurting yourself or someone else, or if your mental health gets to a point of severity where you or I feel you’re unsafe, please go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 or San Francisco County crisis line at 415-821-6155. This provider will not be liable for injuries due to a psychiatric emergency or any injury of person or persons or personal property. The client is solely responsible for his/her decisions, interpretations drawn from services, and all consequences resulting directly or indirectly from them.
Vacation
While on holiday, I inform my patients in advance on my absence and what to do in case of a psychiatric emergency. I can also make arrangements for patients to meet with another licensed mental health professional, or simply have the necessary contact information as needs arrive. Often while on vacation, I am available my e-mail or can schedule a video session. I will normally check my email every morning. I may or may not have access to telephone or texting so please email me.
Video sessions
Video sessions are available through HIPAA secure through a video-based platform where you will receive a log-in) or through standard video-based chats that are non-HIPAA (i.e. Skype and Facetime). The later must be agreed upon and signed in the initial contract.
Hypnotherapists California Disclaimer of Liability
As required by California Business and Professions code, sections 2051, 2052, and 2053, specifically 2053.5, the following information is provided: Nothing in this web site is intended to hold out, state, indicate or imply that Abigail Carvalho a physician and surgeon. Abigail is a Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner specializing in integrative mental health, advanced practice holistic nursing and hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy is not intended to replace your mental or health care practitioners, rather to be used along with whatever medical or other program you are following. If Abigail Carvalho functions as your nurse practitioner in a consultant/educative function, an informed consent and contract will be signed. . Treatment with hypnotherapy is complementary to healing art services licensed by the state. Please note: products are intended for relaxation purposes only. They are not medical or therapeutic devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition or disease.
Audio Disclaimer
Audio Disclaimer Listening to hypnosis, relaxation audio programs, brainwave entrainment, etc can and may affect your psychological and physical condition. You agree that we do not know your health, physical, or psychological condition, or if you are pregnant, and that your use or reliance upon anything obtained, mentioned, and/or linked to from this website is your sole responsibility and that you assume all risk in doing so, even if such risk may not be readily apparent from this website. If given a link to download the MP3 client is responsible for properly downloading and saving it one’s own computer files. All mp3 will be deleted after 3 months and Integrative Care NP, LLC is not responsible. This website sells certain hypnosis audio products and programs. I take no responsibility for people playing these audio programs while driving, using machinery (heavy or otherwise), or in any inappropriate circumstance. It is your responsibility to inform any people listening to the audio programs of their relaxing, hypnotic or otherwise state-altering qualities. Some of these audio programs and/or CDs etc are not suitable for psychotic people, or for people with psychological disorders (e.g. hypnosis). You agree to seek other psychological help beyond this website.
Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. Abigail Bruce and Integrative Care NP, LLC makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, audio gifts, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician.
The Privilege of Confidentiality
The Privilege of Confidentiality While coaching and hypnotherapy does not warrant medical HIPAA confidentiality, Integrative Care NP, LLC abides by HIPAA in the event that medical or mental health nursing education and consult is provided under consultation and collaboration with attending psychiatrist. The client has the right to confidentiality through HIPAA. An informed consent form is required prior to the first session. This is referred to as the client’s “privilege”.
Duty to Inform
The duty to inform supersedes the therapist’s obligation to protect the client’s privilege. The court says that if the counselor has “reasonable cause” to suspect that the client may injure themselves or another person, that the counselor has the duty to warn the intended victim and/or take precautionary measures to protect the client from themselves. In such circumstances the counselor then is considered to be exempt from the obligation to protect the client’s privilege.
Duty to Report
Child, Geriatric, Dependent Adult Abuse or Neglect Reasonable cause to suspect child abuse will be reported to the Child Protective Agency or Adult Protective Agency within 24 hours.