Terms of Service

Regina Abayev, JD, LMFT

2309 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 202, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

info@reginaabayev.com  |  (323) 646-6263

Effective Date: May 11, 2026

These Terms of Service govern the professional relationship between Regina Abayev, JD, LMFT ("I," "me," or "my practice") and clients receiving therapy services. By scheduling or attending sessions, you agree to the terms set forth below. Please read this document carefully and raise any questions before your first session.

1. Nature of Services

I provide individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to adults and adolescents (16 and older on a case-by-case basis). Services are provided in person at my Hermosa Beach office and via telehealth for clients located in California.

Therapy is a professional service, not a substitute for crisis intervention, medical care, or legal counsel. Although I hold a JD, I do not provide legal advice, custody evaluations, or court testimony for therapy clients. My role is strictly clinical.

2. Who This Practice Does Not Serve

I believe in being clear about where I can offer the most value and where I cannot. This practice is not the appropriate level of care for:

  • Children under the age of 16

  • Active untreated substance dependency requiring medical detox or residential treatment

  • Severe eating disorders requiring medical monitoring

  • Acute suicidality requiring 24-hour monitoring or inpatient care

I do not provide couples therapy when active physical violence or severe coercive control is present. In those situations, joint therapy is clinically contraindicated and individual safety planning takes precedence. I am glad to provide referrals to appropriate resources in any of the above circumstances.

3. Session Fees

Current session fees are as follows:

  • Individual therapy: $300 per session

  • Couples therapy: $350 to $500 per session, depending on session type and length

  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): fees vary by session format; provided at time of scheduling

This is a cash-pay practice. I do not bill insurance directly. A superbill can be provided upon request for clients seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Payment is due at the time of service.

4. Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy

I require at least 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a session without charge. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will be charged the full session fee.

Rescheduling within the same calendar week is permitted at no charge, subject to availability. Same-week rescheduling does not waive the 48-hour cancellation requirement for the original appointment.

Exceptions for emergencies are handled at my discretion.

5. Between-Session Communication

I am available for brief administrative communications between sessions, including scheduling, billing questions, and logistical matters, by text at (323) 646-6263 or email at info@reginaabayev.com.

Between-session contact is not appropriate for clinical content, crisis support, or extended processing. If you are in crisis between sessions, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, go to your nearest emergency room, or call 911.

I do not provide therapy via text or email. Communication through those channels is limited to administrative matters.

6. Telehealth

Telehealth sessions are conducted through SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant platform. By participating in telehealth, you agree to:

  • Be located in the state of California during all telehealth sessions

  • Ensure a private, confidential environment for the duration of the session

  • Acknowledge that no form of electronic transmission is entirely without risk

Telehealth is not appropriate for all clients or all clinical situations. I reserve the right to require in-person sessions when clinically indicated.

7. Confidentiality

All clinical information is held in strict confidence in accordance with California law and HIPAA. Disclosure without your written authorization is made only as required by law, including mandatory reporting obligations, imminent risk of harm, or court order. A full description of your privacy rights is set forth in the Notice of Privacy Practices provided at the start of treatment.

8. Social Media and Online Communication

To protect your confidentiality and maintain appropriate professional boundaries, I do not accept friend or connection requests from current or former clients on any social media platform. If you contact me through social media, I will not respond to clinical content through those channels.

I do not search for clients online or review their social media profiles unless there is a specific clinical or safety reason to do so, which would be discussed with you directly.

9. Records and Documentation

I maintain clinical records in accordance with California law and professional ethical standards through SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant electronic health record platform. Records are retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of last service, or seven years after a minor client reaches age 18.

You have the right to request a copy of your records at any time. Requests are processed within the timeframe required by California law.

10. Scope of Practice and Limitations

Therapy produces meaningful results for many people and is not effective for everyone. I do not guarantee specific outcomes. The therapeutic process requires your active participation, honesty, and commitment between sessions, as well as in them.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the state of California. I practice within my scope of licensure and training. If your needs fall outside that scope, I will tell you directly and provide referrals as appropriate.

11. Termination of Services

Either party may terminate the therapeutic relationship at any time. If you wish to end treatment, I ask that we discuss it in session when possible, as a planned ending is clinically preferable to an abrupt one.

I may terminate services if continued treatment is not clinically appropriate, if you require a higher level of care, if there is a pattern of non-payment, or if session behavior is unsafe or abusive. In such cases, I will provide referrals to appropriate resources.

12. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of the State of California. Any disputes arising from the therapeutic relationship shall be resolved in accordance with California law and the ethical standards of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).

13. Updates to These Terms

I may update these Terms of Service from time to time. The current version will be available at reginaabayev.com. Material changes will be communicated to active clients directly.

14. Contact

Regina Abayev, JD, LMFT

2309 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 202

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

info@reginaabayev.com

(323) 646-6263