Insurance and payment
The practice is an out-of-network provider. Clients pay the session fee directly and receive a superbill to submit to their insurer for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed. Ask your insurer about benefits, deductibles, and any requirements before starting care. Cancellation terms and other individual arrangements are addressed separately; this notice does not create new fees or policies.
Telehealth information and consent
All sessions are online by secure video for New York State residents. Before treatment, the practice discusses telehealth and obtains the applicable consent. This webpage and a booking request are not a substitute for that consent.
- Telehealth can improve access but has limitations: connection failures, interruptions, unauthorized access, and reduced ability to respond to an emergency remotely.
- Use a private location, a reliable connection, and a device you control. Discuss who is present or can overhear; do not record sessions without prior agreement and applicable consent.
- Confirm your physical location and appropriate emergency contact arrangements with the counselor. Tell the practice before a session if you will be outside New York; a session may need to be postponed if legally permitted care is not available there.
- Agree before treatment on what to do if video fails and how to access local urgent support. Telehealth is not appropriate for every need or emergency.
- You can raise concerns about telehealth or discuss other care options. Because this practice is online only, alternatives may involve a referral to another provider.
Confidentiality and participation in care
You can ask questions about treatment, goals, risks, benefits, alternatives, and fees; participate in decisions; and decline treatment or discuss ending it. Ask about referrals or continuity of care when needed.
Counseling information is confidential, with exceptions required or permitted by law, such as certain abuse reports, serious threats, or legally valid disclosures. New York law may provide greater protections than HIPAA. Ask how these rules affect your circumstances, particularly in couples counseling. Detailed privacy rights, record-access requests, and authorizations are covered by the Notice of Privacy Practices.
The practice’s website forms are for brief inquiries, not treatment, emergency services, record uploads, or confidential clinical messaging.
Questions, concerns, and complaints
You may raise concerns directly with Salman Hafeez, LMHC, using the contact details below. You may also contact the relevant oversight agency without first speaking to the practice.
- Professional conduct: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Office of Professional Discipline, written complaint instructions and form. Salman Hafeez’s NYS LMHC license number is 016181.
- Health-information privacy: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, complaint information, or 1-800-368-1019.
The practice will not retaliate against you for exercising privacy rights or filing a privacy complaint.