Privacy Policy, Refund Policy and Terms of Service
OUR HEALTH PROVIDERS
Marie Helena Bitar, MPH, RD is an anti-diet, Intuitive Eating, Health at Every Size© informed health coach and registered dietitian in the state of Michigan. Marie Helena is the Founder & Owner of Beyond Food Rules, LLC.
ETHICAL STANDARDS
As a member in good standing with the respective college. Marie Helena Bitar, MPH, RD abides by her codes of ethics and is accountable to her governing body for ethical and professional standards. You may ask to see these codes at any time. Should you feel that an ethical violation has occurred through which you have experienced some measure of harm, you have a right to register a complaint with the Ethics Committee of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
RECORDS
Records are kept for each client and kept for a minimum of ten years. Your file contains any email correspondence we have exchanged during the program that is relevant to your treatment plan as well as your contact information. Your file also may contain any brief session notes from private sessions we have together, if applicable. This enables us to provide you with the best care possible. Files are kept within Practice Better, which is HIPAA, PIPEDA and GDPR compliant. Rest assured that your data is safe and secure. You are welcome to review your file at any time. No records will be shared with any other parties without your signed permission on a ‘Consent for Release & Exchange of Information’ form. It is your choice whether information is released, and you are not required to sign any consent if you are not comfortable with it.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Everything that is said via email or in the context of the conversations between service provider and client is kept confidential. There may be times consultations may be made with another therapist or health professional. This is similar to a physician getting a “second opinion” and can be very helpful in therapeutic treatment. If consultation does occur, identifying information such as your surname will not be disclosed.
There are a few exceptions to confidentiality which you should be aware of:
1. When the client gives written permission (a signed release form) to have information from the counselling sessions communicated to another person.
2. When the client is at risk to hurt themselves or others, as when there is danger of suicide or assault.
3. When there is reason to believe that a child has, is, or may be in danger of sexual or physical abuse or
neglect.
This includes:
a. When domestic violence is reported and there is a child or children in the home
b. When a client discloses that he/she was abused in childhood and there is a possibility that the
abuser may be a danger to other children now. In these situations, I am legally bound to report
to Family & Children’s Services
4. When mandated by a court order.
At times it may be suggested that I make contact with other professionals or family members in order to obtain information that will be helpful in your treatment. A signed ‘Consent for Release & Exchange of Information’ form is required, and you have the right to refuse your signature. Should information be requested by anyone outside of my office, you will be notified.
If it is not an emergency situation, then signed consent is required and the person/agency requesting the information will not receive it, or be informed you are attending sessions, until the proper signature is received from you. If it is an emergency situation you will be informed via telephone, email or in person, as soon as possible. An emergency situation would be an urgent police, medical or child protection situation. Should there be proceedings before the courts and your records are subpoenaed you will be notified as soon as possible.
YOUR RIGHTS
As a client you have the right:
1. To ask questions at any point in time regarding therapeutic or program procedures.
2. To terminate the program at any time; you may ask me for a list of possible referral sources. (Please see our program refund policy)
3. To be informed of any information, decisions and actions that will affect you.
4. To ask about alternative procedures available for meeting your goals.
5. To review all documentation in your client file.
6. To complain to the Privacy Office of the United States If you are not satisfied with the Privacy Policy in place.
REFUND POLICY
In order to provide the most professional session for you, please understand that your appointment will start at your scheduled time. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify me at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment or one session will be deducted from your coaching package (waived for the first instance). All coaching sessions must be used within six months of your initial appointment. If you wish to cancel your coaching program after the first week, refunds are processed as follows:
Packages paid in full: a 50% refund will be issued
Packages paid via payment plan: payments 3-6 will not be charged
No refunds will be issued after the second week.
PROGRAM LENGTH AND FEES
Fees for this program are due in full or in part according to our payment plan.
INFORMED CONSENT
By clicking below, I agree that I have read and understand the above information and agree to the terms of therapy stated above. My Service Provider(s) has adequately answered any questions I have at this point in time (via email). I understand I have the right to stop following the program at any time, and may ask for a list of referral sources. I understand that it is usually best for Service Providers and clients to make joint decisions about termination of treatment.
My signature indicates that I am giving my consent for Marie Helena Bitar, MPH, RD to counsel & support me in the Life Beyond Food Rules Program. I will make a copy of this for my records.