Practice Disclosures

Meghan A. Erwin, LCSW, CADC is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor licensed to practice therapy within the State of Illinois. This practice operates as a solo, telehealth-only professional practice. All clinical services are conducted virtually via secure, HIPAA-compliant communication platforms and are limited to individuals physically located within the State of Illinois at the time of service.

This website and its associated contact features are not monitored 24/7 and are not equipped to handle clinical emergencies.

The content provided on this website—including text, graphics, blog posts, and resources—is for general educational and informational purposes only. Accessing this site, reviewing its content, or submitting an inquiry through a contact form does not establish a therapist-client relationship or constitute medical or clinical advice.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, acute crisis, or safety concern, do not wait for a response from this website. Please immediately take one of the following actions:

• Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Call 911 or contact your local emergency services.
• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, healthcare providers and facilities are required to provide a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of expected charges for treatment to individuals who are not enrolled in an insurance plan or coverage, or who are not submitting a claim to their insurance.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services, including psychotherapy sessions.
• Your estimate will be provided to you in writing at least 1 business day before your scheduled medical service or item. You can also ask your provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the statutory right to dispute the bill.
• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate for your personal records.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

This Privacy Policy outlines how user data is gathered, utilized, and insulated from exposure when you browse this website.

• Information Collection via Forms: When you utilize an online contact or inquiry form, you may be asked to provide personal identifiers such as your name, email address, and phone number. This information is strictly utilized to respond to your direct inquiry regarding services.
• Analytics and Cookies: This site utilizes cookies and basic analytical tracking (such as traffic logging) to understand user engagement and optimize site responsiveness. These tools collect technical data such as shortened IP addresses, device types, and browser choices. You can adjust your browser settings to decline cookies at any time.
• Third-Party Sharing: Your personal data collected via this website is never sold, leased, or traded to outside marketing entities. Data is only shared with trusted operational infrastructure partners (such as secure web hosting or HIPAA-compliant communications gateways) strictly necessary to run the site.
• Data Rights: You retain the right to request access to, correction of, or permanent deletion of any personal administrative data collected through this website's contact forms by submitting a direct request.

By continuing to access, browse, or navigate this website, you explicitly agree to comply with and be legally bound by the following operational terms:

• Acceptable Use: You agree to utilize this website strictly for lawful purposes. You are prohibited from attempting to compromise site security, uploading malicious software code, or using contact vectors to transmit unauthorized marketing materials (spam).
• Intellectual Property: All copy, custom layouts, logos, branding, and written blog content published on this website are the explicit intellectual property of Meghan A. Erwin and are protected under United States copyright laws. Content may not be reproduced or distributed without express written consent.
• Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, this practice and its owner shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, or incidental liabilities, losses, or technical damages arising out of your choice to use, browse, or reference the information contained on this web domain.
• Governing Law: Any legal disputes, interpretations, or administrative claims arising from the use of this website shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Note: A complete, unabridged copy of the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices will be provided directly to you during your formal intake process prior to your first clinical session.

This notice summarizes how your protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed under federal law and the stricter privacy guidelines mandated by the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.

• Clinical Disclosures: Your health records and clinical information are strictly protected. PHI is utilized to deliver, coordinate, and manage your telehealth treatment, process administrative billing, and conduct standard healthcare operations.
• Confidentiality Exceptions: Disclosures of your mental health records without your explicit written authorization are strictly forbidden, except where mandated or permitted by law. These exceptions are restricted to:
  • Imminent threats of serious harm to yourself or a clearly identifiable third party (Duty to Protect / Mandated Warnings).
  • Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child, elderly individual, or vulnerable adult.
  • Valid judicial court orders signed by a judge.
• Your Patient Rights: Under HIPAA, you retain explicit rights regarding your clinical data, including the right to inspect and receive a copy of your health records, request restrictions on certain disclosures, request alternative confidential communication channels, and receive an accounting of disclosures made outside of treatment or billing operations.