Terms & Conditions / Website Disclaimer

Peace of Serenity Psychiatry LLC

1. Introduction & Legal Acceptance

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern access to and use of the website located at www.thepeaceofserenity.com (the “Website”), including any related portals, scheduling interfaces, forms, payment pages, and online features made available by Peace of Serenity Psychiatry (“Practice,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

By accessing, browsing, using, or submitting information through the Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by these Terms, together with any policies expressly incorporated by reference, including the Privacy Policy and any supplemental notices or disclosures posted on the Website from time to time.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Website.

These Terms apply to all Website visitors, users, patients, prospective patients, and any other individual or entity accessing the Website (“you” or “User”). The Practice reserves the right, at its discretion, to require additional acknowledgements, consents, or agreements as a condition of accessing specific services or features.

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2. Practice Identity & Regulatory Status

Peace of Serenity Psychiatry is a mental health practice operating in the State of Illinois, United States, and provides psychiatric and related healthcare services through licensed professionals in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

The Website is operated for administrative, informational, and operational purposes only. While the Practice is a licensed healthcare provider, the Website itself is not a medical device, diagnostic tool, or treatment platform, and it does not independently provide medical care.

All clinical services are governed by separate clinical consent forms, intake documentation, notices of privacy practices, and provider-patient agreements, which apply only after a formal provider-patient relationship has been established in accordance with applicable law and the Practice’s internal procedures.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to limit, waive, or disclaim any rights, remedies, or protections afforded to patients under applicable federal or Illinois healthcare laws or professional regulations. These Terms apply solely to use of the Website and related online services and do not alter or replace any rights or obligations arising from a valid provider–patient relationship.

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3. Scope of Website Services

The Website is intended to facilitate and support certain non-emergency functions, which may include, without limitation:

• Providing general information about the Practice, its services, and mental health topics;

• Enabling requests for appointments, including in-person and telepsychiatry services;

• Providing access to patient portals or secure systems operated by third-party service providers;

• Allowing submission of administrative forms, intake materials, and related documentation;

• Facilitating online payments through third-party payment processors;

• Delivering administrative communications, notifications, or reminders.

The Practice may modify, suspend, restrict, or discontinue any aspect of the Website at any time, with or without notice, and without liability.

The Website is not designed or intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or ongoing clinical care.

Website Accessibility

The Practice is committed to making the Website reasonably accessible to all users. However, the Website may rely on third-party platforms and technologies that are not fully accessible in all circumstances. If you experience difficulty accessing any part of the Website, please contact the Practice using the contact information provided so that reasonable assistance or alternative access may be provided.

The Practice’s efforts are intended to be reasonable and good-faith and do not constitute a guarantee of full accessibility in all circumstances.

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4. No Emergency Use / Crisis Disclaimer

THE WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED FOR EMERGENCY USE.

You must not use the Website, patient portals, contact forms, email, or any electronic communication tools made available through the Website for medical emergencies, psychiatric crises, or situations requiring immediate attention.

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, including thoughts of self-harm or harm to others, you should immediately call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact appropriate emergency or crisis services.

The Practice disclaims all liability for any injury, loss, or damage arising from reliance on the Website or any electronic communications for emergency or urgent medical needs.

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5. No Automatic Doctor–Patient Relationship

Accessing or using the Website does not, by itself, create a doctor-patient, therapist-patient, or provider-patient relationship between you and the Practice or any of its clinicians.

A provider-patient relationship is formed only when all of the following have occurred, as determined by the Practice in its sole discretion:

• Completion and acceptance of required intake documentation;

• Execution of applicable informed consent and clinical agreements;

• Acceptance of you as a patient by a licensed provider of the Practice; and

• Scheduling and commencement of clinical services.

Until such relationship is formally established, any information you submit through the Website is provided solely for administrative or preliminary purposes and must not be relied upon as medical advice or treatment.

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6. Telepsychiatry-Specific Terms

Where telepsychiatry or other remote services are offered, such services are subject to additional limitations and risks inherent to electronic communications and remote healthcare delivery.

By requesting or participating in telepsychiatry services, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Telepsychiatry services may only be provided to individuals physically located in jurisdictions where the Practice and its providers are legally authorized to practice;

• Technical failures, connectivity issues, or platform outages may occur and may disrupt or delay services;

• You are responsible for ensuring that your environment is private, safe, and appropriate for receiving mental health services;

• Electronic communications may carry inherent security risks despite reasonable safeguards.

Telepsychiatry services are governed by separate clinical consents and agreements, which are incorporated by reference and apply in addition to these Terms.

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7. Medical Information Disclaimer

Any health-related or mental health information made available on the Website is provided for general informational and educational purposes only.

Such information:

• Is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or psychiatric condition;

• Does not constitute medical advice or establish a provider-patient relationship;

• Must not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

You should never disregard, delay, or alter professional medical advice based on information obtained through the Website.

The Practice makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of any informational content, and expressly disclaims liability for any reliance on such content.

No Guarantee of Outcomes

The Practice makes no representations or guarantees regarding treatment outcomes, clinical results, or the effectiveness of any services referenced on the Website. Outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances and clinical factors.

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8. Eligibility & Age Restrictions (COPPA Positioning)

The Website and the services facilitated through it are intended for use by adults. The Practice does not operate a child-directed website and does not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from children under the age of thirteen (13) through the Website without verified parental or legal guardian consent, as required by applicable law.

To the extent the Practice provides psychiatric services to minors, such services are offered only pursuant to lawful parental or guardian consent and through appropriate clinical intake processes that occur outside the public-facing portions of the Website.

If you are under the age of eighteen (18), you may use the Website only with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian, and solely for permitted purposes consistent with applicable law. The Practice reserves the right to restrict, suspend, or terminate access to the Website if it reasonably believes that eligibility requirements are not satisfied.

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9. Patient Portal Access & User Responsibilities

Certain features of the Website may provide access to secure patient portals or third-party systems used for scheduling, documentation, communication, or billing purposes.

You acknowledge and agree that:

• Access credentials are personal and must be kept confidential;

• You are solely responsible for all activity occurring under your credentials;

• You must promptly notify the Practice of any unauthorized access or suspected security breach.

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to update such information as necessary. The Practice is not responsible for any loss or damage arising from your failure to safeguard login credentials or comply with security requirements.

The Practice reserves the right to suspend or terminate portal access at any time for security, compliance, or operational reasons.

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10. Patient Submissions & Accuracy of Information

By submitting information through the Website or related portals, including intake forms, identification documents, insurance information, medical histories, or payment details, you represent and warrant that all information provided is truthful, accurate, complete, and submitted by an individual legally authorized to do so.

You acknowledge that clinical, administrative, and billing decisions may rely on the information you submit. The Practice disclaims liability for errors, delays, or adverse outcomes resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading submissions.

The Practice reserves the right, but not the obligation, to verify information submitted through the Website and to reject, suspend, or discontinue services where information is inaccurate or inconsistent with legal or clinical requirements.

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11. Payments, Fees & Financial Processing

The Website may facilitate online payments for services through third-party payment processors integrated with the Practice’s systems. The Practice does not store full payment card numbers or sensitive financial credentials on its own servers.

All payment transactions are subject to the terms, conditions, and privacy practices of the applicable payment processor. The Practice does not control, and is not responsible for, payment processor errors, outages, processing delays, or unauthorized transactions attributable to third-party systems.

You remain responsible for all charges incurred and for ensuring that payment information is accurate and authorized. The Practice reserves the right to suspend services for non-payment or payment disputes, subject to applicable law and clinical obligations.

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12. Insurance & Coverage Disclaimer

Any references on the Website to insurance, reimbursement, or coverage are provided for informational purposes only.

The Practice does not guarantee:

• Insurance eligibility;

• Coverage determinations;

• Reimbursement amounts; or

• Timeliness of insurer payments.

You are solely responsible for verifying insurance benefits, coverage limitations, and financial obligations with your insurer. The Practice disclaims liability for adverse coverage determinations, denials, or delays by third-party payors.

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13. Third-Party Platforms & Service Providers

The Practice utilizes third-party platforms and service providers to support Website functionality and operations, including but not limited to:

• Website hosting and infrastructure;

• Practice management and electronic health record systems;

• Scheduling and calendar tools;

• Telehealth and communication platforms;

• Analytics and performance monitoring services;

• Email and SMS notification systems;

• Payment processing and financial services.

These third-party providers operate under their own terms, conditions, and privacy practices. The Practice does not control and is not responsible for the availability, security, performance, or conduct of third-party platforms.

Your use of such third-party services may be subject to separate agreements between you and the applicable provider.

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14. Privacy, HIPAA & Data Handling Framework

The Practice is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information in accordance with applicable law.

Use of the Website is subject to the Practice’s Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these Terms. The Privacy Policy describes how personal information is collected, used, and disclosed in connection with Website activities.

You acknowledge that:

• The Website Privacy Policy is not a substitute for the Practice’s Notice of Privacy Practices issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”);

• Information submitted through public-facing Website features may be treated differently from information collected in the context of established clinical care;

• No system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

To the extent permitted by law, the Practice disclaims liability for unauthorized access, data breaches, or disclosures arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

Records Retention

Information submitted through the Website may be retained in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory, and professional obligations. Requests for deletion or modification of information may be subject to limitations imposed by healthcare, recordkeeping, or billing laws.

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15. Communications Consent

By using the Website or submitting information through it, you consent to receive communications from the Practice electronically, including by email, secure portal message, telephone call, or text message (SMS), to the extent permitted by law.

Such communications may include administrative notices, appointment confirmations, reminders, billing-related messages, and other non-marketing communications related to services you request or receive. Delivery of electronic communications is not guaranteed, and the Practice disclaims liability for delayed, undelivered, or misdirected messages.

You acknowledge that electronic communications may be accessed by third parties if your device, account, or communication channel is compromised, and you accept these risks.

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16. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on the Website, including text, graphics, logos, images, videos, design elements, and software, is owned by or licensed to the Practice and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, the Practice grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Website solely for personal, non-commercial purposes.

You may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, display, publish, scrape, reverse engineer, or otherwise exploit any Website content without the Practice’s prior written consent.

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17. Acceptable Use & Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to use the Website in any manner that:

• Violates applicable law or regulation;

• Interferes with Website functionality or security;

• Submits false, misleading, or unauthorized information;

• Attempts to gain unauthorized access to systems or data;

• Harasses, abuses, or threatens the Practice, its staff, or other users.

The Practice reserves the right to investigate violations and to take appropriate action, including suspension or termination of access, without notice.

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18. Suspension & Termination of Access

The Practice may suspend, restrict, or terminate your access to the Website or any associated services at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including violation of these Terms or applicable law.

Termination of Website access does not affect existing clinical relationships, financial obligations, or legal rights and responsibilities arising under separate agreements.

Sections that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including intellectual property rights, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, and governing law provisions.

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19. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE WEBSITE IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PRACTICE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND AVAILABILITY.

The Practice does not warrant that the Website will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of harmful components.

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20. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PRACTICE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PRACTICE’S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS RELATED TO THE WEBSITE EXCEED ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (USD $100), OR THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO ACCESS THE WEBSITE, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

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21. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Practice and its owners, clinicians, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses arising out of or related to:

• Your violation of these Terms;

• Your misuse of the Website;

• Information you submit that is false, misleading, or unauthorized;

• Your violation of applicable law or third-party rights.

 

22. Force Majeure

The Practice shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, public health emergencies, power failures, internet outages, governmental actions, labor disputes, or third-party service interruptions.

 

23. Governing Law & Venue

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any legal action arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Website shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located within Illinois, and you consent to such jurisdiction and venue.

 

24. Amendments & Modifications

The Practice reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Updated versions will be posted on the Website with a revised effective date.

Your continued use of the Website after such changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must discontinue use of the Website.

 

25. Contact Information, Severability & Entire Agreement

If you have questions regarding these Terms, you may contact the Practice using the contact information provided on the Website.

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

These Terms, together with incorporated policies, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Practice regarding Website use and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings.