Terms of Service

Effective Date: September 30, 2025

Welcome to summerverhineslcsw.com (the "Website"). This Website is owned and operated by Summer Verhines, LCSW ("I," "me," or "my").

By accessing or using this Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use this Website.

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Summer Verhines, LCSW. By accessing, browsing, or using this Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and my Privacy Policy.

I reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with a new "Effective Date." Your continued use of the Website after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Eligibility and Age Requirement

This Website is intended for individuals who are at least 18 years of age. By using this Website, you represent and warrant that you are 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18, you may not use this Website or submit any information through the contact form.

3. Nature of This Website

This Website provides information about my therapy services, specialties, and approach to treatment. This Website is for informational purposes only and does not create a therapist-client relationship.

Important Disclaimers:

  • Visiting this Website, reading content, or submitting a contact form does not establish a therapeutic relationship

  • Content on this Website is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy

  • Information provided is general in nature and should not be relied upon as specific advice for your individual situation

  • I do not provide crisis intervention or emergency services through this Website

In Case of Emergency: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please:

  • Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

  • Call 911

  • Go to your nearest emergency room

  • Contact your local crisis center

Do not use this Website or email to request urgent or emergency assistance.

4. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on this Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, design, and the overall "look and feel" of the site, is the property of Summer Verhines, LCSW and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Permitted Use: You may:

  • View and browse the Website for personal, non-commercial use

  • Print individual pages or articles for your personal, non-commercial use

  • Share links to this Website

  • Quote brief excerpts from this Website with proper attribution (e.g., "Source: Summer Verhines, LCSW, summerverhineslcsw.com")

Prohibited Use: You may not:

  • Copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, or republish substantial portions of Website content without my express written permission

  • Use automated systems (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to copy, download, or extract content from this Website

  • Remove copyright notices, attributions, or disclaimers from any content

  • Use content for commercial purposes without written permission

  • Create derivative works based on Website content

  • Frame or embed this Website on another site without permission

5. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

By using this Website, you agree not to:

  • Violate any applicable local, state, federal, or international law

  • Harass, threaten, intimidate, or harm me or any other person

  • Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely represent your affiliation with any person or entity

  • Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information through the contact form

  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Website, server, or any connected systems

  • Interfere with or disrupt the operation of the Website or servers

  • Use the Website to transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code

  • Collect or harvest information about other users

  • Use automated systems to scrape, copy, or download Website content

  • Engage in any activity that could damage, disable, or impair the Website's functionality

6. Contact Form and Communications

The contact form on this Website is provided for general inquiries about my services only.

By submitting the contact form, you acknowledge:

  • The form is not secure for confidential health information

  • You will not include sensitive personal information, health details, or crisis-related content

  • Submission does not create a therapist-client relationship

  • I am not obligated to respond to every inquiry

  • Response time may vary and is not guaranteed

  • I reserve the right not to respond to inquiries that violate these Terms

Email Communications:

  • Regular email is not a secure method of communication for protected health information

  • If you become a client, secure communication methods will be provided

  • I am not responsible for the security of information you choose to send via unencrypted email

7. Third-Party Links

This Website may contain links to third-party websites or resources (e.g., professional organizations, crisis hotlines, educational resources). These links are provided for your convenience only.

I do not:

  • Endorse or control third-party websites

  • Make any representations about the content or accuracy of third-party sites

  • Accept responsibility for the privacy practices or content of external sites

Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to their terms and privacy policies.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

This Website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, I disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:

  • Implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose

  • Warranties that the Website will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure

  • Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of content

  • Warranties that defects will be corrected

I do not warrant that:

  • The Website will meet your requirements or expectations

  • Access will be continuous or uninterrupted

  • The Website will be free from viruses, bugs, or other harmful components

  • Information on the Website is complete, current, or accurate

You assume all risk associated with your use of this Website.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by California law, I shall not be liable for any damages arising from your use of or inability to use this Website.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages

  • Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities

  • Personal injury or emotional distress

  • Damages resulting from website errors, omissions, interruptions, or security breaches

  • Damages arising from third-party content or links

  • Any damages whatsoever, even if I have been advised of the possibility of such damages

In no event shall my total liability exceed the greater of:

  • The amount you paid for services (if applicable), or

  • Three hundred dollars ($300)

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of certain damages, so some of these limitations may not apply to you.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Summer Verhines, LCSW, and any affiliates, contractors, or service providers from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, costs, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

  • Your use or misuse of this Website

  • Your violation of these Terms

  • Your violation of any rights of another person or entity

  • Your submission of false, misleading, or unlawful information

  • Any content you submit through the contact form

11. Termination and Suspension

I reserve the right, at my sole discretion, to:

  • Terminate or suspend your access to the Website at any time, with or without notice

  • Remove or disable any content or functionality

  • Refuse service to anyone for any reason

Grounds for termination include, but are not limited to:

  • Violation of these Terms

  • Harassment or abusive conduct

  • Use of automated systems to scrape or copy content

  • Fraudulent or illegal activity

  • Any conduct I deem harmful to the Website, myself, or other users

Upon termination, your right to use the Website immediately ceases. Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination (including intellectual property provisions, disclaimers, and limitations of liability) shall remain in effect.

12. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

Arbitration Agreement: Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of this Website shall be resolved through binding arbitration rather than in court, except as provided below.

Arbitration Process:

  • Arbitration will be conducted by a neutral arbitrator in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA)

  • Arbitration will take place in Sacramento County, California

  • Each party will bear their own costs and attorneys' fees unless the arbitrator awards otherwise

  • The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding

  • Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court with jurisdiction

Exceptions to Arbitration: Either party may seek relief in small claims court for disputes within that court's jurisdiction. Additionally, either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in court to prevent infringement of intellectual property rights.

Class Action Waiver: You agree that any arbitration or proceeding shall be conducted on an individual basis only and not as a class action, consolidated action, or representative action. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

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

Any legal action or proceeding (if not subject to arbitration) shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Sacramento County, California, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Summer Verhines, LCSW regarding your use of this Website and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.

16. No Waiver

My failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. No waiver shall be effective unless made in writing.

17. Contact for Legal Notices

If you have questions about these Terms or need to provide legal notice, please contact:

Summer Verhines, LCSW
California License #68507
Email: sverhines.lcsw@gmail.com
Phone: 855-564-3338
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 28, Wilton, CA 95693

All legal notices must be sent in writing to the mailing address above.

By using this Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.