Terms and conditions

Last updated: March 2024

Acceptance of agreement

This Agreement is between you (the Client) and Shannon Flanakin, PLLC (the Provider). By requesting and engaging in counseling (the Services), using this website or supporting tools (the Tools), or utilizing supplemental resources (the Content), you agree to the following terms and conditions.

This Agreement contains warranty disclaimers and other provisions that limit Shannon Flanakin, PLLC's liability to you. Please read these terms and conditions carefully and in their entirety, as utilizing the Services or supporting Tools and Content constitutes acceptance.

Unless otherwise noted, this Agreement constitutes the entire and only Agreement between you and Shannon Flanakin PLLC and supersedes all other agreements, representations, warranties, and understandings with respect to Services, Tools, and Content provided by Shannon Flanakin, PLLC.

Review the privacy statement disclosures relating to the collection and use of your personal data. Note that third party tools are subject to their own privacy statement.

Services, tools, and content

Whether you engage in therapeutic counseling "Services", you will use several online "Tools" and may receive or have access to supplemental "Content" to aid in your therapeutic journey.

For details about counseling "Services" offered and what is included, please review theServices section and supporting pages on the ShannonFlanakin.com website.

"Tools" refers to the ShannonFlanakin.com website and any third-party products utilized to support, streamline, and secure the counseling Services you participate in to help you on your journey. While the ShannonFlanakin.com website is covered by these terms and conditions, third party products are subject to their own terms and conditions and privacy statements.

"Content" can include a wide array of supplemental resources, such as verbal suggestions and ideas, media, documents, websites, and more. Content may be provided as part of our Tools (e.g., resources listed on the ShannonFlanakin.com website), in delivery of our Services (e.g., suggestions and ideas during sessions), or provided after the fact in response to topics of interest based on your counseling goals (e.g., research shared after a session).

Use of services

By requesting Services or accepting an appointment, you agree to being contacted by Shannon Flanakin, PLLC or supporting Tools by email, phone, or SMS. If you prefer a specific contact method, you must state this in writing via email, SMS, or as part of scheduling.

By accepting an appointment, you agree to paying for the specified time with the Provider at the agreed location (physical or online). It is your responsibility to attend the session on time. If you are late, you may request an extension, but it cannot be guaranteed due to others' scheduled sessions.

Shannon Flanakin, PLLC will use reasonable care and skill in providing the Services you request. All Clients are different and so is each counseling session. There are no guarantees of specific outcomes and it is not the responsibility of Shannon Flanakin, PLLC to achieve desired outcomes for you. We request you to be truthful and work in the best interests of the Agreement to ensure the best possible outcomes. This includes, but is not limited to showing kindness and respect to other employees and Clients and not impeding on others' safety, security, or privacy whether physical or emotional, online or in-person.

Shannon Flanakin, PLLC reserves the right to terminate a session without refund or indemnity if the session is not considered to be in the best interest of the Client or if a Client is considered to be a personal risk to themselves or others. The appropriate services will also be alerted in all cases of violence or personal threats. Personal threats, physical or emotional abuse, or any damaging acts will not be tolerated.

If you are not satisfied with your counseling sessions, we will support you in cancelling future appointments in accordance with the cancellation policy (see below). There is no refund or indemnity for past sessions, regardless of the outcome. Shannon Flanakin, PLLC does not accept any liability in relation to counseling sessions.

Use of tools

By using the ShannonFlanakin.com website or any third-party tools, you agree to adhere to all terms and conditions provided in this document or those applicable to third-party products, which are not covered here, regardless of medium. This includes being respectful of others while using our Tools. Shannon Flanakin, PLLC does not tolerate any form of abuse that impedes on, or could be construed to impede on, others' safety, security, or privacy – physical, emotional, fiscal, or otherwise. Any misuse of the Tools will result in immediate cancellation of future sessions in accordance with the cancellation policy and potential legal action, as appropriate.

Our Tools may contain our service marks or trademarks as well as those of our affiliates or other companies in the form of words, graphics, and logos. Your use of our Tools does not constitute any right or license for you to use our service marks or trademarks without the prior written permission of Shannon Flanakin, PLLC.

Use of these Tools is voluntary and up to your discretion. Please contact us by phone or email to discuss alternatives. The following includes, but is not limited to, the types of third-party products you may use with Shannon Flanakin PLLC:

Use of content

Shannon Flanakin, PLLC grants you a nonexclusive, nontransferable, revocable license to access and use any Content included in, made available through, or in support of our Services and Tools strictly in accordance with this Agreement. Your use of our Services and Tools is solely for personal, noncommercial purposes unless otherwise agreed to in writing. No printout or electronic version of any part of our Services or Tools may be used by you in any litigation or arbitration matter whatsoever under any circumstances.

All Content is the exclusive property of Shannon Flanakin, PLLC or the Content's original provider and is protected by the various applicable trade dress, copyright, and other intellectual property and unfair competition laws in the United States and internationally. Copying, redistribution, use, or publication by you of any Content (in part or in full) is strictly prohibited. All rights not expressly granted to you in these terms and conditions are reserved and retained by the Content provider.

Shannon Flanakin, PLLC does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any third-party content for any particular purpose, nor the legality of any content provided by these parties.

Pricing and payment

You are entitled to one free, 15-minute introductory session. If you miss that session, we will offer a second opportunity for the free consultation. If you miss the second, we will not guarantee availability for a third free session.

For counseling, the fee for the initial 90-minute intake session is $180 and $160 for 50-minute follow-up sessions.

All prices are final unless otherwise agreed to in writing. Shannon Flanakin, PLLC offers a limited number of sliding scale slots based on income and other factors. Sliding scale slots are only offered for up to a 3-month period to support others' needs. While there is no limit to the number of times you request a sliding scale slot, there is no guarantee to one.

Prices are subject to change at the discretion of Shannon Flanakin, PLLC with at least 30 days notice. While we seek to keep costs down to make counseling accessible to everyone, we reserve the right to reevaluate and increase prices up to 15% on January 1 every year based on economical factors. Price changes will go into effect immediately for new Clients. Prices for existing Clients with weekly or bi-weekly sessions and on-time payments will be rate-locked for a six month period. Price changes for these Clients will go into effect within 30 days of written notification of the price change or when their 6-month rate-lock period ends, whichever comes last.

Shannon Flanakin, PLLC accepts the following insurance: Premera and Life Wise. Any copay payment will be collected at time of service. If you exceed your deductible, a refund for the charged session(s) or credit for future session(s) will be issued, as agreed upon by Client and Shannon Flanakin, PLLC. For out-of-pocket Clients, all sessions must be paid in cash or other agreed upon payment method at time of service. Future sessions will be cancelled in the event of nonpayment of more than one week. Shannon Flanakin, PLLC cannot guarantee availability or future session prices for nonpayment that exceeds four weeks (including the rate-locked 6-month period). Shannon Flanakin, PLLC may seek the assistance of a debt collection agency if a balance remains unpaid for over 30 days.

Cancellation policy

You can cancel your appointment via email, by phone, or using the scheduling system with at least 24-hours notice. If you cancel less than 24 hours before your agreed session start time, you will still be billed for the session.

The cancellation policy applies under any circumstances, including emergencies, illness, or any situations that may be deemed out of your control.

Short-notice emergency sessions can be scheduled, but fall under the same terms and conditions.

Privacy and protection of personal information

Your privacy is of the utmost importance. Shannon Flanakin, PLLC adheres to all HIPAA regulations as well as the guidance and ethics espoused by the official licensure and certifications under which our counseling Services are practiced. Review the privacy statement for details about how your personal data is used and protected.

Electronic communication

Shannon Flanakin, PLLC cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media, including email and text messages. If you prefer to communicate via email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, Shannon Flanakin, PLLC will do so. This method of communication should not be used to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies.

Services by electronic means, including but not limited to telephone communication, the Internet, and email is considered "telemedicine" by the State of Washington. Under SB5175 of 2005, telemedicine is broadly defined as the use of information technology to deliver medical services and information from one location to another. If you and Shannon Flanakin, PLLC choose to use information technology for some or all of your treatment, you need to understand that:

  • You retain the option to withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting the right to future care or treatment or risking the loss or withdrawal of any program benefits to which you would otherwise be entitled.
  • All existing confidentiality protections are equally applicable.
  • Your access to all medical information transmitted during a telemedicine consultation is guaranteed, and copies of this information are available for a reasonable fee.
  • Dissemination of any of your identifiable information from the telemedicine interaction to researchers or other entities shall not occur without your consent.
  • There are potential risks, consequences, and benefits of telemedicine. Potential benefits include, but are not limited to improved communication capabilities, providing convenient access to up-to-date information, consultations, support, reduced costs, improved quality, change in the conditions of practice, improved access to therapy, better continuity of care, and reduction of lost work time and travel costs. Effective therapy is often facilitated when the therapist gathers within a session or a series of sessions, a multitude of observations, information, and experiences about the client. Therapists may make clinical assessments, diagnosis, and interventions based not only on direct verbal or auditory communications, written reports, and third person consultations, but also from direct visual and olfactory observations, information, and experiences. When using information technology in therapy services, potential risks include, but are not limited to the therapist's inability to make visual and olfactory observations of clinically or therapeutically potentially relevant issues such as: your physical condition including deformities, apparent height and weight, body type, attractiveness relative to social and cultural norms or standards, gait and motor coordination, posture, work speed, any noteworthy mannerism or gestures, physical or medical conditions including bruises or injuries, basic grooming and hygiene including appropriateness of dress, eye contact (including any changes in the previously listed issues), sex, chronological and apparent age, ethnicity, facial and body language, and congruence of language and facial or bodily expression. Potential consequences thus include the therapist not being aware of what they would consider important information, that you may not recognize as significant to present verbally the therapist.

Limitation of liability

In no event shall Shannon Flanakin, PLLC be liable to you or any third person for any indirect, consequential, or punitive damages, or any damages whatsoever resulting from lost profits, opportunities, or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of our Services, Tools, or Content.

Unlawful activity

Shannon Flanakin, PLLC reserves the right to investigate complaints or reported violations of this Agreement and to take any action deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, reporting any suspected unlawful activity to law enforcement officials, regulators, or other third parties.

Client's rights

You have the right to access clinical notes from your counseling sessions. Any additional details are for the Provider's use to support your counseling Services and are not shared with anyone unless otherwise stated within these terms and conditions.

Contact us by email if you would like a copy of your clinical notes. Information will be provided within 30 days.