Notice of Practice Policies

Emergencies:

Piko Therapy Hawaiʻi, LLC is not a crisis management facility. Clinicians working through Piko Therapy Hawaiʻi are not always available to respond to phone calls, emails, or text messages immediately. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response during the week, and note that phone calls and emails are not typically addressed on weekends. If you need to contact your clinician, please call (808) 489-9435, leave a voicemail, and a return call will be made as soon as possible.

In case of an emergency, please use the following resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
Hawaii CARES Crisis Line: 988
Community Emergency Services: 911
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 911. Piko Therapy Hawaiʻi does NOT have the capacity to respond immediately to counseling emergencies.

Electronic Communication:

Electronic communication is reserved for necessary interactions related to services, such as scheduling, treatment planning, signatures, and collaboration. Please be aware that computers, cell phones, and email are vulnerable to unauthorized access. If you choose to communicate confidential or private information electronically, Piko Therapy Hawaiʻi, LLC assumes you have made an informed decision and accept the risks associated with such communication. Please do not communicate sensitive information over text.

By providing your phone number, including through verbal consent, you agree to receive SMS messages from us. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary based on your interactions. For assistance or more information, reply HELP.

To stop receiving messages, you must submit a written opt-out request via text (reply STOP) or email. Verbal requests will not be accepted. A confirmation of your opt-out request will be provided.

Your privacy is important to us. We are committed to not transferring any consumer data, including personal and contact information, to external organizations without explicit consent. We will never share your infomation with third parties without your consent.

Intake Paperwork Completion:

All clients are required to complete their initial intake paperwork at least 48 hours before their appointment. This allows the clinician to review assessments and determine if your presenting concerns are within their scope of practice. Adhering to this timeframe supports optimal treatment. If intake paperwork is not completed within 48 hours of the appointment, your clinician may need to reschedule your session.

Public Encounters:

If you encounter your clinician outside of scheduled sessions, they will NOT acknowledge you first, to maintain your confidentiality. If you choose to acknowledge your clinician in public, please be aware that this may compromise your privacy. The decision to engage in conversation is entirely up to you.

Social Media:

No friend requests on personal or professional social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) will be accepted from current or former clients. Engaging with Piko Therapy Hawaiʻi social media pages (e.g., commenting or liking posts) may compromise your confidentiality, and Piko Therapy Hawaiʻi, LLC cannot be held liable if you are identified as a client. Posts on social media are for educational purposes only and do not replace professional therapy.

Please do not contact your clinician through social media, as these platforms are not confidential and are not monitored. Messages sent through social media may become part of your medical records.

If you choose to leave a public review (Google, Facebook, Yelp), please be aware that this discloses your relationship with Piko Therapy Hawaiʻi and/or its clinicians. Due to ethical and confidentiality guidelines, we do not respond to reviews, even to clarify or dispute statements.

Faith + Spirituality:

Faith and spirituality can be important resources for many clients. During the assessment process, you may be asked about any spiritual beliefs that provide you with support. If spirituality is meaningful to you, therapy can explore ways to incorporate these beliefs into coping strategies.

Lauren A. Melendez, MFT, is trained to integrate spiritual perspectives into therapy but will not provide spiritual guidance, interpretation, or direction. If you are seeking spiritual advisement, we encourage you to consult your faith leader or ask for a referral. If you would like to discuss spiritual matters during therapy, please let Lauren know what you are comfortable with.

If you have any questions about these policies, please contact Piko Therapy Hawaiʻi, LLC for further clarification.

Mahalo for your cooperation and commitment to your well-being.