Viveros and Associates, PLLC would like to welcome all visitors to our website. Here persons can find mental health articles and videos, as well as search for an online counselor, a counselor to speak with by phone, or a instant message.

If you are suicidal, this is not an appropriate place to acquire help. Please stop what you are doing and call 911 immediately.

Please note that online and telephone counseling is not an alternative to medical evaluation or treatment.

In addition to providing mental health information and a listing of counselors, Viveros and Associates, PLLC provides a venue for counseling to take place. Viveros and Associates, PLLC is a private provider or independent contractor of counseling services. All persons registering with Viveros and Associates, PLLC should consider carefully the terms and conditions in this document before using any of the services provided through the Viveros and Associates, PLLC technologies.

All services provided are subject to the terms of this Agreement. Viveros and Associates, PLLC reserves the right to modify this Agreement at any time. Changes will be accessible to view from your client portal.

This document may refer to you as "User" while the term "Provider" will refer to Viveros and Associates, PLLC

Disclaimer

Viveros and Associates, PLLC provides mental health information (articles, videos, etc.) for general purposes only. Information posted on Viveros and Associates, PLLC is not a substitute for a professional consultation or health evaluation. Use of any information provided is solely at the risk of the User. Opinions expressed are solely those of the authors. Provider does not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy of any material provided, nor does Provider assume any liability or responsibility for damage or injury to persons arising from the use of any information, products, or services provided. Persons seeking mental health treatment should consult with a licensed mental health professional. Any individual presenting medical problems should immediately consult with a physician.

All "Verified" mental health professionals listed on Viveros and Associates, PLLC are required to provide proof of valid licensure and liability insurance. In addition, Viveros and Associates, PLLC checks to confirm licensure is valid before granting any person use our technology to conduct their private counseling services online or by telephone. In addition, Viveros and Associates, PLLC removes any counselor found not to abide by the high ethical standards ofViveros and Associates, PLLC. Potential clients are advised to check the credentials and licensure standing of a counselor prior to soliciting services from any counselor.

Advertisement Policy

Viveros and Associates, PLLC clearly marks content by third party advertisements and sponsors by labeling them as "advertiser", "sponsor", or by some comparable designation. Hence, Provider makes clear distinctions between sponsored/advertiser information and non-bias health information.

Payment and Refund Policy

Fees for counselor time are set by each individual counselor. Payment is made through the Viveros and Associates, PLLC's online payment terminal. User confirms ownership of any credit card being used for payment. User understands that it is the policy of Viveros and Associates, PLLC for payment for online counseling services to be made solely though the Viveros and Associates, PLLC payment terminal. If at any time an online or phone counselor asks for-or suggests the possibility of-payment through any other method, please contact Tiffany Viveros, M.Ed, LPC support immediately at support at tiffany@viverosandassociates.com.

If User makes payment for a scheduled session, the session cannot be canceled of rescheduled. If a user misses a scheduled session, User agrees to pay all fees for that session. Refunds for services are provided only if a counselor fails to provide services. Viveros and Associates, PLLC cannot provide a refund because of client dissatisfaction with a counselor.
User Rules

User agrees to refrain from use of services for any purpose-or in any method-that violates any local, state, federal or international law; or engage in any conduct that could cause damage to Provider or inhibit others from benefiting from, or using, services.

User agrees not to falsify his/her identity in any way.

Provider may, without notification to User, terminate the account of Users who fail to abide by the aforementioned User rules.

Viveros and Associates, PLLC

Account usage in this regard does not affect billing itself, however, and billing will continue regardless of whether Viveros and Associates, PLLC utilizes accounts until notified via email of desire to cancel. Limitation of Liability All materials and services provided by Viveros and Associates, PLLC are provided on an "as is" basis. User understands the use of materials or services is at the User's own risk. Provider disclaims any warranties, weather explicit or implied, to the fullest extent of law.

Provider is not liable for the conduct of third parties.

Provider is not liable for damages of any nature including, direct, incidental, consequential, or special damages that may occur from User's use of www.tiffanyviveroslpc.com or inability to access or use services.

Counselor Services & Confidentiality

If user chooses to interact with any mental health professional through Viveros and Associates, PLLC, interactions are strictly between the user and the third party. User acknowledges that persons listed at Viveros and Associates, PLLC are not employees of Provider and that Provider assumes no responsibility for any act or omission by any listed individual

Provider advises and encourages Users to check the credentials of any mental health professional with applicable state regulatory boards.

User understands that counseling possesses both benefits and risks. Risks may include-but are not limited to-experiencing feelings such as stress, sadness, guilt, and frustration. In addition, User may not agree with a counselor's assessment, diagnosis, perspective, or treatment. User understands disagreement does not constitute a refund of counselor's fees. Benefits of counseling can be profound and may include improved mood, resolved personal problems, improved/healed relationships with others, better self image/self-esteem, and improved mental or behavioral functioning.

Benefits to phone and online counseling may be comparable to those in traditional face-to-face sessions-the building of a counselor-client therapeutic alliance designed to assist a client in his/her personal growth, life issues, and mental health. However, with use of verbal only or text only methods, a counselor may be limited in that he/she is unable to take into account the visual or non-verbal cues of a client. Much of the research in regards to the efficacy of distance methods for counseling is pending. A client should weigh the benefits against the limitations of services before consenting to the counseling process.

Limits of confidentiality differ from state to state. However, by policy of Viveros and Associates, PLLC, counselors are to abide by the laws of their practicing states in regards to reporting any necessary information. This may include the circumstance of a User, deemed to be serious threat to him/herself or others, being reported to legal authorities or local social services. It is also law in many states that any disclosure of child abuse, abuse of a handicapped person, or abuse of an elderly person must be reported immediately to appropriate authorities. Counselors should provide User with any additional information required by the state in which the counselor is licensed. This may include, but is not limited to, information on the counseling process, methods, counselor education, or specific licensure details of the counselor.

Because of the use of technology in counseling, and the use of electronic record keeping, there exists the possibility of the loss of confidentiality by means of security breach. Provider takes considerable measures to combat this liability including the use an independent secure server, and encryption software. In addition, Viveros and Associates, PLLC is protected by a digital certificate and secure socket layer (SSL) encryption. As a means to maintain clients' electronic counseling records and accounts, Viveros and Associates, PLLC administration will have authorized access to user files. Administration of Viveros and Associates, PLLC agrees to keep all user information in confidence to the greatest extent of the law, including payment information, records, and contact information.

Summary

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the User and Provider and supersedes any and all prior agreements, or communication (written or oral) between User and Provider. Provider may amend this Agreement or impose new conditions at any time by publishing new terms on www.tiffanyviveroslpc.com. Any use of services by User after any amendment shall be deemed to constitute acceptance by User of all amendments.

It is agreed that if any part, term, or provision of these terms and conditions are held by a court to be unlawful, the validity of the remaining terms of this Agreement will remain valid and enforceable.

 Qualifications:
Viveros and Associates, PLLC is a Limited Liability Corporation licensed in the State of Texas to provide professional counseling.

Tiffany Viveros: I hold a B.A degree from University of Texas at Dallas in Interdisciplinary Studies. I hold a M. Ed. degree from Dallas Baptist University in School Counseling. I also attended Dallas Baptist University to obtain my Licensed Professional Counseling Certificate. I have a Texas teaching certificate for 4-8 math, K-12 Technology Applications, and K-12 counseling. I have experience working with individuals who are experiencing family crisis or conflict, divorce, grief, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, self-injurious behavior, issues in schools, etc. I have been a professional counselor, a school counselor, a teacher and a coach.

Angie Alvarado: I hold a B.A degree as well as a M. Ed. from Texas Tech University. Angie started her counseling career in 2004, becoming a board approved supervisor in 2013, and has worked in nonprofit, private practice, and school settings.  She has experience working with adolescents, children, families, and individuals.  Angie utilizes various frameworks in her practice particularly using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 

Ashlyn Nelson: Ashlyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate and certified School Counselor in the state of Texas. She has had a career in education for seventeen years, six of those years served in special education.  For four years she has worked in a behavior classroom, serving students and families on the autism spectrum and students with emotional or aggressive behaviors.  She has experience with children, adolescents, families and individuals.

Philosophy of Counseling:
Our counseling approach is based on a faith-based foundation. This means we will define truth and reality based on biblical principles. From this foundational viewpoint, Viveros and Associates, PLLC also bases the nature of counseling on a family systems model and cognitive-behavioral model. On occasion, depending on the client's therapeutic need, experiential interventions may be utilized. Clients are highly encouraged, although not required, to add psycho-education (separate from his/her individual sessions) to their treatment as this is also a model that is utilized to encourage progress and growth.

Although these are the modes/models on which we base our approach, the client is considered the expert on his/her own life and agrees to enter into a therapeutic partnership with Viveros and Associates, PLLC to work toward defined goals. Client motivation and willingness to change are expected from each client as this usually has significant impact on the likelihood of progress and achievement of each individual's goals.

Conditions of Counseling

Counseling Relationship:
Unless you prefer otherwise, we will always call you by your first name and please feel free to do the same with the staff at Viveros and Associates, PLLC. During the time we work together, we usually will meet weekly for approximately 50-minute sessions. Although our session may be psychologically deep, ours is a professional relationship rather than a social one. Therefore, please do not invite us to social events, bring us gifts, ask to barter to exchange services, ask us to write references for you, or ask to relate to you in any way other than the professional context of our counseling relationship. You will benefit the most if our interactions address your concerns exclusively.
We conduct all counseling sessions in English or with a translator for whom you arrange and pay. Viveros and Associates, PLLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. If significant differences, such as in culture or belief systems, exists between us, we will work to understand those differences.

Effects of Counseling:
At any time, you may initiate with your counselor a discussion of possible positive or negative effects of discontinuing or entering into counseling. We expect you to benefit from counseling. However,Viveros and Associates, PLLC cannot guarantee any specific results. Counseling is a personal exploration that may lead to major changes in your life perspectives and decisions. These changes may affect significant relationships, your job, and/or your understanding of yourself. You may feel troubled, usually only temporarily, by some of the things you learn about yourself or some of the changes you make. In addition, counseling can, at times, result in long lasting effects. For example, one risk of couple counseling is the possibility that discoveries you make about your relationship may cause the relationship to end. Although the exact nature of changes resulting from counseling cannot be predicted, we intend to work with you to achieve the best possible results for you. You should also be aware that little research has been done to compare results of online-therapy with in-person therapy.

Client Rights:
Some clients achieve their goals in only a few counseling sessions, whereas others may require months or even years of counseling. As a client, you are in complete control and may end our counseling relationship at any time. If you choose to end the counseling relationship, Viveros and Associates, PLLC asks that you participate in a termination session. You also have the right to refuse or to discuss modification of any of our counseling techniques or suggestions that you believe might be harmful.

Viveros and Associates, PLLC renders counseling services in a professional manner consistent with accepted ethical standards. If at any time for any reason you are dissatisfied with our services, please let us know and I will do our best to resolve your concerns.

Complaints may be filed in writing to:
Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors
Complaints Management and Investigative Section
P.O. Box 141369 Austin, Texas 78714-1369
Or call: 1-800-942-5540.

Confidentiality:
Discussions between you and your counselor, and even the fact that you are in counseling with Viveros and Associates, PLLC, are confidential. For this reason, if one of the counselors sees you in public, they will protect your confidentiality by greeting you only if you greet them first.
You need to be aware of three legal and ethical exceptions to your confidentiality: 1) if a Counselor from Viveros and Associates, PLLC believes you are an imminent threat to yourself or others; 2) we suspect or learn about abuse or neglect of children or elderly; and 3) when court ordered to release information.

We may present programs at professional conferences and/or be published in professional publications on the topic of counseling. In this case, we may refer to experiences as a counselor. If we make reference to counseling with you, we will do so in a way that protects your identity and maintains your patient confidentiality. If we are unable to make such a reference without revealing your identity, Viveros and Associates, PLLC will ask you to sign a waiver authorizing us to make reference to your situation. If you do not agree to the waiver, Viveros and Associates, PLLC will not make identifiable reference to you. You are not required to waive your right to confidentiality at any time as a condition of services.

Appointments, Cancellation, and Crises: Our web-based, in-person contact will be limited to counseling sessions you arrange with us. Your initial session may be scheduled by calling 877-242-5985. After your initial counseling session we will discuss a holistic approach and tailor fit a Viveros and Associates, PLLC Agreement to suit your needs.

In the event that you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance to avoid late cancellation or missed appointment fees. Likewise, if you intend to discontinue counseling, please inform your counselor immediately so that we may take on a new client from the waiting list.

In the event that you are in crises you should call 911 immediately.

Billing & Fees:
Payment for counseling services are made in advance on personalized contractual agreement. Your contract fee, which is determined by your counseling agreement, covers one appointment each week. Additional charges may occur for additional sessions, supplemental treatments or psycho-education depending on your fee agreement. You are required to keep a credit/debit card on file to ensure prompt payment of services each week. As long as you are receiving services from Viveros and Associates, PLLC, your card will be automatically charged each week. You may discontinue services at anytime and as a result we will discontinue making charges to your card in the next billing cycle. The fee for a late cancellation is $70. The fee for a missed appointment is $70 or the full fee which will be determined by Tiffany Viveros. There is no extra charge for early cancellations.

At this time, Tiffany Viveros is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Optum Behavioral Health, Lyra, and UBH. If you have any other insurance, we will provide the necessary documentation for you to be able to file for reimbursement with your insurance company.

Records:
Files are closed once the counseling relationship ends. Records for adult clients are destroyed seven years after the file is closed. Records for minor clients are destroyed seven years after the client turns 18 years of age.

Conditions of Ongoing Counseling:
If you have been in counseling or psychotherapy during the past seven years, Viveros and Associates, PLLC may require you to sign a release so we can communicate with and/or receive copies of records from previous professional(s) from whom you received mental health services. By signing this form, you are agreeing to disclose all previous mental health treatments and to reimburse Viveros and Associates, PLLC for any expenses charged by your previous mental health professional(s) for supplying copies of your records. While you are in counseling with Viveros and Associates, PLLC, you agree not to maintain or establish a professional relationship with another mental health professional unless you first discuss it with us and sign a release that enables Viveros and Associates, PLLC to communicate with the other mental health professional(s). If you decide to maintain or establish a professional relationship with another mental health professional against my advice, we may consider this your decision to change counselors, and Viveros and Associates, PLLC reserves the right to terminate your counseling.

Referrals:
The Viveros and Associates, PLLC staff recognizes that not all conditions presented by clients are appropriate for treatment from this service. For this reason, you and/or Viveros and Associates, PLLC may believe that a referral is needed. In that case, Viveros and Associates, PLLC will provide alternatives including programs and/or people who may be available to assist you with your specific needs. A verbal exploration of alternatives to counseling will also be made available upon request. You will be responsible for contacting and evaluating any referrals and/or alternatives.

If you or your Parent/Guardian, or Financially Responsible Party have any questions or concerns about any subject that is addressed in this Professional Disclosure Statement, please discuss them with a Viveros and Associates, PLLC prior to beginning your first counseling session.

***PLEASE SIGN BELOW TO INDICATE YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE NOTIFICATIONS AND THAT YOU ARE CONSENTING TO RECEIVE TREATMENT BY A VIVEROS AND ASSOCIATES, PLLC PROVIDER/TEAM MEMBER.

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.

Your health record contains personal information about you and your health. This information, which may identify you and relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services, is referred to as Protected Health Information ("PHI"). This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your PHI in accordance with applicable law. It also describes your rights regarding how you may gain access to and control your PHI.

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI and to provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI. We are required to abide by the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices. We reserve the right to change the terms of our Notice of Privacy Practices at any time. Any new Notice of Privacy Practices will be effective for all PHI that we maintain at that time. We will provide you with a copy of the revised Notice of Privacy Practices by posting a copy on our website, sending a copy to you in the mail upon request, or providing one to you at your next appointment.

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU:

For Treatment.
Your PHI may be used and disclosed by those who are involved in your care for the purpose of providing, coordinating, or managing your health care treatment and related services. This includes consultation with clinical supervisors or other treatment team members. We may disclose PHI to any other consultant only with your authorization.

For Payment.
We may use or disclose PHI so that we can receive payment for the treatment services provided to you. This will only be done with your authorization. Examples of payment-related activities are: making a determination of eligibility or coverage for insurance benefits, processing claims with your insurance company, reviewing services provided to you to determine medical necessity, or undertaking utilization review activities. If it becomes necessary to use collection processes due to lack of payment for services, we will only disclose the minimum amount of PHI necessary for purposes of collection.

For Health Care Operations.
We may use or disclose, as needed, your PHI in order to support our business activities including, but not limited to, quality assessment activities, employee review activities, reminding you of appointments, to provide information about treatment alternatives or other health related benefits and services, licensing, and conducting or arranging for other business activities. For example, we may share your PHI with third parties that perform various business activities (e.g., billing or typing services) provided we have a written contract with the business that requires it to safeguard the privacy of your PHI. For training or teaching purposes PHI will be disclosed only with your authorization.

Required by Law.
Under the law, we must make disclosures of your PHI to you upon your request. In addition, we must make disclosures to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of investigating or determining our compliance with the requirements of the Privacy Rule.

Following is a list of the categories of uses and disclosures permitted by HIPAA without an authorization.

Abuse and Neglect Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
Emergencies Law Enforcement
National Security Public Safety (Duty to Warn)

Without Authorization.
Applicable law and ethical standards permit us to disclose information about you without your authorization only in a limited number of other situations. The types of uses and disclosures that may be made without your authorization are those that are:

-Required by law, such as the mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect or mandatory government agency audits or investigations (such as the social work licensing board or health department)
-Required by Court Order issued by a Judge
-Necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public. If information is disclosed to prevent or lessen a serious threat, it will be disclosed to a person or persons reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat, including the target of the threat.

Verbal Permission.
We may use or disclose your information to family members that are directly involved in your treatment with your verbal permission.

With Authorization.
Uses and disclosures not specifically permitted by applicable law will be made only with your written authorization, which may be revoked.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI:

You have the following rights regarding your personal PHI maintained by our office. To exercise any of these rights, please submit your request in writing to Tiffany Viveros at her email address: tiffany@viverosandassociates.com.

Right of Access to Inspect and Copy.
You have the right, which may be restricted only in exceptional circumstances, to inspect and copy PHI that may be used to make decisions about your care. Your right to inspect and copy PHI will be restricted only in those situations where there is compelling evidence that access would cause serious harm to you. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies.

Right to Amend.
If you feel that the PHI we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information, although we are not required to agree to the amendment.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. You have the right to request an accounting of certain of the disclosures that we make of your PHI. We may charge you a reasonable fee if you request more than one accounting in any 12-month period.

Right to Request Restrictions.
You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the use or disclosure of your PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations. We are not required to agree to your request unless the request is to restrict disclosure of PHI to a health plan for purposes of carrying out payment or health care operations, and the PHI pertains to a health care item or service that you paid for out of pocket. In that case, we are required to honor your request for a restriction.

Right to Request Confidential Communication.
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location.

Breach Notification.
If there is a breach of unsecured protected health information concerning you, we may be required to notify you of this breach, including what happened and what you can do to protect yourself

Right to a Copy of this Notice.
You have the right to a copy of this notice.