If you have a concern about any medical condition or potential medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment approach, please make an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider.
2nd Story Counseling, PLLC, Website Terms and Conditions of Use
Welcome to mychicagotherapist.com (the “Website”), operated by 2nd Story Counseling Chicago, PLLC, a professional limited liability company (“2nd Story Counseling,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or using this Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use this Website.
1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By accessing, browsing, or using this Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time without prior notice. Your continued use of the Website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.
2. NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
2.1 No Doctor-Patient Relationship
The information provided on this Website is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not create a therapist-client or doctor-patient relationship. Reading, viewing, or interacting with content on this Website does not establish a professional counseling relationship with 2nd Story Counseling or any of our affiliated therapists.
2.2 Informational Purposes Only
The content on this Website, including but not limited to blog posts, articles, videos, social media posts, and informational materials, is intended to support—not replace—the relationship that exists between a patient/client and their qualified healthcare or mental health professional. This content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
2.3 When Professional Services Begin
A formal therapist-client relationship with 2nd Story Counseling begins only when you attend an in-person or virtual therapy session with one of our licensed professionals and complete the necessary intake paperwork and informed consent documentation.
3. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
3.1 Crisis Resources
This Website is not intended to provide crisis intervention or emergency services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or psychiatric emergency, please:
• Call 911 immediately
• Go to your nearest emergency room
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988
• Text “HELLO” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
3.2 Website Limitations
Do not use this Website, email, or contact forms to communicate information regarding emergency situations or urgent clinical needs. These communication methods are not monitored 24/7 and are not appropriate for time-sensitive matters.
4. USE OF THE WEBSITE
4.1 Permitted Use
You may use this Website for lawful purposes only and in accordance with these Terms. You agree not to:
• Use the Website in any way that violates any applicable federal, state, local, or international law
• Impersonate or attempt to impersonate 2nd Story Counseling, our employees, another user, or any other person or entity
• Engage in any conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone’s use or enjoyment of the Website
• Use any robot, spider, or other automatic device to access the Website for any purpose
• Introduce any viruses, trojan horses, worms, logic bombs, or other malicious or technologically harmful material
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Website or any systems or networks connected to the Website
4.2 User Accounts
Certain features of the Website may require you to create an account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to or use of your account.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
5.1 Ownership
All content on this Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, audio clips, video clips, data compilations, page layout, underlying code, and software, is the property of 2nd Story Counseling Chicago, PLLC, or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.
5.2 Limited License
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to access and use the Website for personal, non-commercial purposes only. This license does not include any right to:
• Modify or copy the materials
• Use the materials for any commercial purpose or public display
• Remove any copyright or proprietary notations from the materials
• Transfer the materials to another person or entity
• Reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell, or otherwise exploit any portion of the Website
5.3 Trademarks
The 2nd Story Counseling name, logo, and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of 2nd Story Counseling Chicago, PLLC. You may not use such marks without our prior written permission.
6. USER SUBMISSIONS AND BLOG COMMENTS
6.1 Comments and Submissions
If you submit comments, feedback, suggestions, testimonials, or other content to the Website (“User Submissions”), you grant 2nd Story Counseling a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, and fully sublicensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such content in any media.
6.2 Responsibility for User Submissions
You are solely responsible for the content of your User Submissions. You represent and warrant that:
• You own or have the necessary rights to submit the content
• Your submission does not violate the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyrights, or other rights of any person
• Your submission does not contain any defamatory, libelous, obscene, or otherwise unlawful material
6.3 Blog Comment Guidelines
When commenting on our blog, you agree to:
• Be respectful and honest in your interactions
• Not post medical information or personally identifiable information about yourself or others
• Understand that comments are visible to everyone and cannot be modified once published
• Waive any right to confidentiality that may result from such postings
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these guidelines or are otherwise inappropriate at our sole discretion.
7. THIRD-PARTY LINKS AND RESOURCES
7.1 External Websites
This Website may contain links to third-party websites or resources. These links are provided solely as a convenience to our users. We have no control over the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party websites and assume no responsibility for them.
7.2 No Endorsement
The inclusion of any link does not imply our endorsement of the linked site, its operator, or its content. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of those websites.
8. PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
8.1 Privacy Policy
Your use of this Website is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your information.
8.2 Internet Security Limitations
While we implement reasonable security measures to protect your information, please understand that no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted through the Website or stored on our systems.
8.3 Non-Confidential Nature of Web Communications
Email and web-based communications are not confidential means of communication. If you communicate with us through email, contact forms, or other electronic means, you acknowledge that such communications may not be secure and that we cannot guarantee the privacy of information transmitted through these channels.
9. HIPAA COMPLIANCE
9.1 Protected Health Information
For clients who establish a formal therapist-client relationship with 2nd Story Counseling, we comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and protect your health information in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy laws.
9.2 Blog and Public Content
Any clinical anecdotes, case examples, or illustrations used in blog posts or other public-facing content on this Website have been sufficiently altered to protect patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA regulations. No actual client information is disclosed without proper authorization.
10. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
10.1 “As Is” Basis
THIS WEBSITE AND ALL CONTENT, MATERIALS, INFORMATION, AND SERVICES INCLUDED ON OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU THROUGH THIS WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN WRITING.
10.2 No Warranties
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, 2ND STORY COUNSELING MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE OPERATION OF THE WEBSITE OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS, OR SERVICES INCLUDED ON OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU THROUGH THIS WEBSITE.
10.3 Medical Accuracy
WHILE WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, WE MAKE NO WARRANTIES REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, RELIABILITY, OR TIMELINESS OF ANY CONTENT, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL, OR WELLNESS-RELATED INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
11.1 Exclusion of Damages
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL 2ND STORY COUNSELING CHICAGO, PLLC, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, THERAPISTS, CONTRACTORS, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS WEBSITE.
11.2 Maximum Liability
IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, AND CAUSES OF ACTION EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU, IF ANY, FOR ACCESSING THIS WEBSITE OR ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100), WHICHEVER IS LESS.
11.3 State Law Variations
Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
12. INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless 2nd Story Counseling Chicago, PLLC, and its officers, directors, employees, therapists, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees) arising from:
• Your use of the Website
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property or privacy rights
• Any User Submissions you provide
13. ADVERTISING AND AFFILIATE RELATIONSHIPS
13.1 Amazon Associates Program
2nd Story Counseling is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you click on certain links on this Website and make purchases, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
13.2 Other Advertising
This Website and third parties who place advertisements on this Website may collect and use information about your visits to this Website and other websites to provide advertisements about goods and services that may be of interest to you.
13.3 Independence of Recommendations
Our participation in affiliate programs does not influence our clinical recommendations or therapeutic approaches. Any product recommendations are based on professional judgment, not financial relationships.
14. SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT NOTICE
This Website contains mental health, wellness, and general medical-related materials that address human sexuality, relationships, and related topics. Some content may be considered sexual in nature or may address sensitive topics related to sexual health, identity, or relationships. This content is provided for educational and therapeutic purposes.
If you find these materials offensive or are uncomfortable with such content, you may choose not to use certain portions of this Website. All content is intended for adult audiences unless specifically designated otherwise.
15. AGE RESTRICTIONS
This Website is intended for users who are at least 13 years of age. If you are under 13, you may not use this Website. If you are between 13 and 18 years of age, you may use this Website only with the involvement and supervision of a parent or legal guardian.
By using this Website, you represent and warrant that you meet these age requirements.
16. GEOGRAPHIC RESTRICTIONS
Our therapeutic services are provided in accordance with Illinois state licensing requirements. The content and information on this Website are intended primarily for individuals located in the State of Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area. If you access this Website from outside Illinois, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with local laws.
We make no representation that the information on this Website is appropriate or available for use in other locations. If you use this Website from outside the United States, you are responsible for compliance with applicable local laws and regulations.
17. TERMINATION
We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to all or part of the Website, without notice, for any conduct that we, in our sole discretion, believe is in violation of these Terms, any applicable law, or is harmful to the interests of another user, a third party, or 2nd Story Counseling.
Upon termination, your right to use the Website will immediately cease. The provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.
18. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
18.1 Governing Law
These Terms and your use of the Website shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois and the United States of America, without regard to conflict of law principles.
18.2 Jurisdiction and Venue
Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Website shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objection to venue in such courts.
18.3 Informal Resolution
Before filing any formal legal action, you agree to first contact us to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will attempt to resolve the dispute through good-faith negotiations.
19. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
19.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and 2nd Story Counseling regarding the use of the Website and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings and agreements.
19.2 Waiver
Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by an authorized representative of 2nd Story Counseling.
19.3 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced with a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision.
19.4 Assignment
You may not assign or transfer these Terms, by operation of law or otherwise, without our prior written consent. We may assign or transfer these Terms, in whole or in part, without restriction. Subject to the foregoing, these Terms will bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
19.5 No Third-Party Beneficiaries
These Terms do not and are not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than you and 2nd Story Counseling.
19.6 Headings
The headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.
20. CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at:
2nd Story Counseling Chicago, PLLC
655 W. Irving Park Road, Suite 204
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: 773-528-1777
Website: www.mychicagotherapist.com
By using this Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.