TERMS OF USE AGREEMENT
Last Updated: September 10, 2026
This website is operated by Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC, co-founded by Lauren Simicich, PsyD and Samuel Stork, PsyD. Throughout the site, the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC. Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC offers this website, including all information, digital tools, and website-based services available from this site to you, the user, conditioned upon your acceptance of all terms, conditions, policies, and notices stated here.
Acceptance of Terms
By visiting our site and/or engaging our practice for online resources, you engage in our website service and agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions (“Terms of Use”, “Terms”), including those additional terms, conditions, and policies referenced herein and/or available by hyperlink (including our Privacy Policy and Website Disclaimer). These Terms of Use apply to all users of the site, including without limitation, browsers, prospective clients, vendors, and/or content contributors.
Please read these Terms of Use carefully before accessing or using our website. If you do not agree to all terms, you may not access the website.
Emergency & Crisis Disclaimer
THIS WEBSITE AND ITS ONLINE CONTACT FORMS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR EMERGENCY OR CRISIS SITUATIONS.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, feeling suicidal, or facing any other medical or life-threatening emergency, DO NOT rely on this website, email, or online forms. Please take one of the following immediate steps:
Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available 24/7 in US and Canada).
Call 911 or your local emergency response services.
Go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Medical & Clinical Services Disclaimer
The content on this website (including text, graphics, images, poetry, prose, articles, and other materials) is provided for general informational, educational, and creative purposes only. Browsing this website, reading blog posts, submitting a contact form, or accessing digital resources does not establish a clinical, professional, or psychologist-patient relationship between you and Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC, Dr. Lauren Simicich, or Dr. Samuel Stork.
Formal psychological evaluation, psychotherapy, and clinical consultation services are provided strictly under a separate, executed Clinical Services Agreement / Informed Consent Document.
Website Access, Age Requirements & Security
By agreeing to these Terms of Use, you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your state of residence (18 years of age in Connecticut), or that you are the age of majority and have given consent to allow your minor dependent to browse this website. This website is directed to adults and is not intended for unsupervised use by children under 13 years of age (COPPA Compliance).
You may not use our website or digital materials for any illegal or unauthorized purpose, nor may you violate any laws in your jurisdiction (including but not limited to copyright, privacy, and healthcare laws). You must not transmit any worms, viruses, or code of a destructive nature.
Intellectual Property & Copyright
Unless otherwise noted, all written poetry, prose, narratives, and original content published on this website (including Mindful Musings From Me To You) are the intellectual property of the author and are protected by copyright laws.
Visitors may share short excerpts or links to this blog/website for non-commercial purposes, provided full credit and a direct link to the original post on aspengrove-psych.com (or mindfulmusingsfrommetoyou.wordpress.com) are included. Content may not be reproduced, republished, modified, or distributed in full without prior written permission from the author.
Images & Visual Media: Visual assets across this website are sourced responsibly through authorized channels. Images accompanying blog posts and creative writing entries primarily utilize high-quality stock photography obtained via free commercial platforms (such as Unsplash) for illustrative context. Visual content across the primary practice site includes licensed stock photography purchased through commercial stock platforms (such as Adobe Stock), as well as original personal photography contributed with permission by family. All individuals depicted in stock imagery are professional models and do not represent actual clients, patients, or affiliated personnel of Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC.
Client Portal Security
When you access our secure client portal, you may be asked to choose credentials or a password. You are solely responsible for safeguarding the confidentiality of your credentials. You agree not to disclose your credentials to any third party and remain responsible for activities under your profile. Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access. We strongly advise against accessing client portals via public computers or unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
Financial Terms & General Conditions
We reserve the right to refuse website access to anyone for any lawful reason at any time.
Encryption & Data Transfer
You understand that general site interaction content (excluding Protected Health Information and payment information) may be transferred unencrypted over various networks. Credit card details and Protected Health Information (PHI) are always encrypted during transfer via HIPAA-compliant and PCI-compliant third-party systems.
Billing & Services
You authorize us or permitted third-party processors to process transactions initiated on this site (e.g., professional service fees, deposit fees, or digital products). You agree to pay all charges incurred through your account. Prices for professional services and evaluations are subject to practice policies and may change with appropriate notice to active clients.
Prohibited Uses
In addition to other prohibitions set forth in these Terms, you are strictly prohibited from using the site or its Content:
For any unlawful or unauthorized purpose.
To solicit others to perform or participate in unlawful acts.
To violate federal, state, or local regulations, rules, laws, or ordinances.
To infringe upon or violate our intellectual property rights or the rights of others.
To reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, sub-license, rent, or exploit any portion of the website Content, poetry, or resources without express written permission.
To harass, abuse, insult, harm, defame, slander, disparage, intimidate, or discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, race, age, national origin, or disability.
To submit false or misleading information or impersonate another person.
To upload or transmit viruses, malware, or malicious code.
To collect or track the personal information of others or conduct automated scraping/crawling.
User Conduct, Public Comments & Inquiries
If comments are enabled on posts, or if you send us suggestions, feedback, or general non-clinical inquiries via email or contact forms (collectively, "Comments"), you agree to maintain a respectful environment. We reserve the right to monitor, edit, or remove any comments or submissions that contain offensive language, spam, commercial solicitations, personal contact information, or sensitive disclosures of personal health information. You agree that we may edit, copy, or use general feedback or suggestions without obligation to maintain them in confidence, pay compensation, or respond.
Note: Any Protected Health Information (PHI) or confidential communications submitted regarding clinical services remain strictly confidential under HIPAA and ethical guidelines and are NOT treated as public comments.
Third-Party Interception Release
While Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC implements industry-standard protocols, no transmission over the internet or electronic storage method can be guaranteed 100% secure. You acknowledge that personal information shared via aspengrove-psych.com could theoretically be intercepted or tampered with by unauthorized third parties. You hereby release Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC, Dr. Lauren Simicich, PsyD, and Dr. Samuel Stork, PsyD from claims arising out of unauthorized interception or data access beyond our reasonable control.
Return & Refund Policy
Due to the nature of clinical services, professional consultations, and downloadable digital materials/assessments:
Digital Downloads: Fees for digital product downloads are non-refundable once accessed.
Clinical Services: Fees for rendered clinical evaluations or missed appointment fees without required notice are non-refundable. Procedures governing fee disputes for ongoing care are outlined in your signed Clinical Services Agreement.
Disclaimer of Warranties & Limitation of Liability
This website and all content are provided 'as is' and 'as available' without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not guarantee that your use of the website will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free.
In no case shall Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC, our owners (Dr. Lauren Simicich and Dr. Samuel Stork), employees, or contractors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages of any kind, including lost profits, loss of data, or emotional distress, arising from your use of this website or reliance on any general information contained herein.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC, Dr. Lauren Simicich, PsyD, Dr. Samuel Stork, PsyD, and our staff from any third-party claim or demand (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of your breach of these Terms of Use or your violation of any law or rights of a third party.
Governing Law, Venue & Severability
These Terms of Use shall be construed, governed, and enforced under the laws of the State of Connecticut. You agree that the exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any action relating to these Terms shall be in the state or federal courts located in Hartford County, Connecticut.
If any provision of these Terms is determined to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that portion shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall remain valid and enforceable.
Contact Information
Questions regarding these Terms of Use should be sent to us at:
Aspen Grove Psychological Services, PLLC
Email: info@aspengrove-psych.com