Telehealth Informed Consent

1. Nature of telehealth

• Your sessions may be delivered online by secure video rather than in person.
• Telehealth can be as effective as in-person care for many concerns, but it is not appropriate for every situation. Your therapist will tell you if in-person care or a higher level of care is more appropriate.

2. Benefits and risks

• Benefits: access, convenience, and continuity of care.
• Risks: technology can fail (dropped calls, poor audio/video); despite encryption, no electronic transmission is 100% secure; remote care can make it harder to respond to an acute crisis; non-verbal cues may be harder to read.
• If the connection drops, your therapist will attempt to reconnect, and you will agree a backup contact method (e.g. phone) in advance.

3. Confidentiality and its limits

Your sessions and records are confidential and protected. Confidentiality has legal limits.

• Your therapist may disclose the minimum necessary information without your consent where there is a serious or imminent risk of harm to you or others.
• Where there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable person (mandatory reporting varies by jurisdiction).
• Where disclosure is required by law or court order.

4. Privacy of your setting

• Please join sessions from a private, quiet location where you will not be overheard. Your therapist will do the same.
• Sessions should not be conducted in unsafe situations (e.g. while driving).

5. Recording

• Sessions are not recorded by default.
• Neither you nor your therapist may record a session without the other's explicit, documented consent.

6. Emergencies — TheraKonnect is not an emergency service

If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, do not use TheraKonnect. Contact local emergency services or a crisis line immediately.

• United States: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988).
• Pakistan: local emergency services / listed helpline.
• United Arab Emirates: listed crisis line (e.g. Estijaba 8009100).
• You and your therapist will agree, before treatment, on your physical location at each session, an emergency contact, and the nearest emergency facility.

7. Your therapist's credentials and jurisdiction

• Your therapist will identify their qualifications and the jurisdiction(s) in which they are licensed.
• Your therapist may only provide care where they are licensed for your location at the time of the session.
• If you move or travel, tell your therapist — it may affect whether they can continue to treat you.

8. Data, security, and records

• Your clinical records are stored encrypted and accessed only by your care team, as described in the Privacy Policy.
• You have the right to access your records. Records are retained per the applicable jurisdiction's requirements.

9. Voluntary participation and withdrawal

• Participation is voluntary. You may ask questions at any time, decline any intervention, or stop treatment.
• Your therapist will discuss alternatives and appropriate referrals.