Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using the services provided by Ruththomas LLC ("we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services.

These terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use our website and services.

Services Description

Ruththomas LLC provides mental and behavioral health services, including:

Individual psychotherapy
Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
Adolescent and young adult therapy
Addiction and dual diagnosis treatment
Telehealth mental health services

Services are provided by Harriet Wangia Avedi, a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, within the scope of the provider's professional licensure.

Client Responsibilities

Accurate Information

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and all interactions with our practice. You must update this information promptly if it changes.

Appointments

Arrive on time for scheduled appointments (in-person or telehealth)
Provide at least 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling
Understand that late cancellations (less than 24 hours) or no-shows may result in a cancellation fee
For telehealth sessions, ensure you have a reliable internet connection and private space

Payment

Payment is due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made
Provide current insurance information if using insurance benefits
You are responsible for any co-pays, deductibles, or non-covered services
Understand that insurance claims may be denied, in which case you are responsible for payment

Compliance with Treatment

You agree to:

Follow prescribed treatment plans
Take medications as directed
Inform us of any side effects or concerns
Notify us immediately if you are seeing other mental health providers or taking other medications

Cancellation and No-Show Policy

We understand that circumstances may require you to cancel or reschedule an appointment. To ensure we can accommodate all clients:

24-Hour Notice: Please provide at least 24 hours notice for cancellations
Late Cancellations: Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may be charged a $50 fee
No-Shows: Failure to attend a scheduled appointment without notice may result in a full session fee
Emergencies: We understand emergencies happen. Please contact us as soon as possible

Telehealth Services

When using our telehealth services, you agree to:

Join sessions only through the private video link and access code we send you, and do not share them with anyone
Ensure you have a private, quiet space for sessions
Have a stable internet connection and functioning camera/microphone
Be physically located, during each session, in a state or district where your provider is licensed to practice. We will confirm this with you before your first appointment
Understand that telehealth has limitations and may not be appropriate for all situations

Telehealth sessions take place on our own secure video service. Video and audio are encrypted between your device and your provider's device, and we do not record sessions.

In case of technical difficulties, we will attempt to continue the session by phone or reschedule at no charge.

Emergency Services

Our practice does not provide 24/7 emergency services. In case of a mental health emergency:

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
Contact the Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
For Montgomery County residents: Montgomery County Crisis Center at (240) 777-4000

Confidentiality and Privacy

We are required by law to maintain confidentiality of your health information except in the following circumstances:

You authorize disclosure in writing
There is a reasonable suspicion of child or elder abuse
You pose a serious threat of harm to yourself or others
A court orders disclosure
For purposes of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations

Please see our Privacy Policy for more detailed information.

Scope of Practice

Our services are limited to:

Outpatient mental health services
Services provided to clients located in a state or district where our provider is licensed
Services within the scope of practice of a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

We do not provide court testimony, forensic evaluations, or services for legal proceedings unless specifically arranged in advance and at additional cost.

Termination of Services

Either party may terminate the therapeutic relationship, subject to the following:

You may discontinue services at any time
We may terminate services if you fail to comply with treatment recommendations
We may terminate if you fail to pay for services
We may terminate if we determine we cannot provide appropriate care
In case of termination by us, we will provide appropriate referrals

Intellectual Property

All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of Ruththomas LLC or its content suppliers and is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written permission.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Ruththomas LLC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from your use of our services or website. Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid for services in the six months preceding the claim.

Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will be effective when posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these terms shall be resolved in the courts of Montgomery County, Maryland.