General Intent

Nothing contained on the Self-Led Solutions (SLS) web site is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care professional. The material is for educational purposes only, to inform users about options available for dealing with substance abuse problems and/or psychotherapy.

Ask The Therapist

I, Brian Murphy, personally answer all questions submitted to Ask the Therapist, and make every attempt to address specific inquiries. These responses are strictly of an educational nature and should not be construed as individual medical, psychiatric, psychological or behavioral health care treatment.

I understand that someone submitting questions to Ask the Therapist may blur or omit particulars to remain anonymous; however, you must not deliberately misrepresent essential facts. You must also affirm that you’re not impersonating someone else, and that you’re over 18.

Under these circumstances, the accuracy of any information you submit (including age and identity) cannot be verified. Therefore, the scope of Ask the Therapist is limited.

If you wish to begin a therapeutic relationship with me, you may use the Contact Form to schedule an appointment or inquire about consultation fees and other details.

About Confidentiality

Self-Led Solutions has security measures in place to assure that information under its control is protected from loss, unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. SLS endeavors to adhere strictly to state, local and federal laws regarding information privacy. SLS does not sell, rent or lease ANY information to third parties, ever.

If you choose to provide your personal information by filling out and submitting a form on the SLS web site, I will use it only to respond to your message. Personal information obtained in this manner is not made accessible to employees or other web site users, and is regularly purged.

I do not knowingly accept requests for information submitted by anyone under 18. If I learn that I have accepted such a request, I will decline to respond and immediately delete any information provided.

Like your own ISP, the company that hosts the SLS web site may gather data in order to provide services and for various other purposes, as permitted by law. This information includes the IP address computers use to communicate with each other. SLS strives to maintain visitor anonymity and does not routinely collect IP addresses, nor engage any third-party to do so. However, SLS may access IP addresses to identify any visitor who refuses to comply with its terms of use or who threatens its service, site, employees, users, or clients.

If you choose to provide SLS with personal information, it will be disclosed without notice ONLY (a) as required by law (b) in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process, (c) to protect and defend the rights or property of SLS (d) to act under exigent circumstances to protect the safety of SLS employees, clients, users, or the public.

In the US, these important exceptions to confidentiality exist:

• Most states require that any suspicion of risk of child abuse be reported to child welfare authorities or law enforcement authorities. If I believe that a child is at risk of being abused, has already been abused, or that someone who previously abused children is still a threat, I have no choice but to immediately attempt to report it to social services agencies and/or the police.

• Different courts have the authority to subpoena SLS records if you are involved in a court case in which your relationship with SLS is somehow considered relevant. Though this is highly unlikely, if you have any questions, contact an attorney before you disclose information you consider private.

• If someone's life is in danger, I must make every effort to report it. This applies to potential cases of suicide or homicide. Some states even require that I warn or attempt to protect a person whose life may be threatened.

If, at this moment, as you read this page, you are seriously contemplating suicide, please log off your computer and telephone the police or emergency medical services.

Confidentiality is never absolute, especially in computer-mediated communication. Messages can be intercepted on their complex journey through the Internet. While SLS makes every effort to ensure the integrity and security of its network and systems, it cannot guarantee that its security measures are invulnerable from attacks by third-parties intent on obtaining information illegally.

In addition, inadvertent breaches of privacy may occur on your end, such as when a home computer is shared, when email is sent/received at work, when a laptop is lost or stolen, when a user's computer is “hacked”, or when wireless devices are utilized. If you anticipate dire consequences should your privacy be breached, err on the side of discretion.