(Lucia Cortes, LCSW, LLC, DBA ‘Play Heals Teletherapy’)

General Information

The information provided on the Play Heals Teletherapy website is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. The content found on this site—including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material—is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, legal, or other advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No material on this website is intended to serve as medical advice or as a replacement for professional consultation, assessment, or care provided by a qualified mental health practitioner or medical professional.

By using this website, you acknowledge and agree that Play Heals Teletherapy does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information made available through this platform. The information and resources provided do not constitute or imply a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of any therapeutic process, nor do they represent a therapeutic relationship, contract, or engagement. The content is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of information does not constitute, a therapist–client or clinician–patient relationship. Decisions based on the information presented on this site are the exclusive responsibility of the user, and users are strongly encouraged to seek independent professional advice for their individual circumstances.

Any reference to products, services, or therapies, or links to third-party sites, is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, or warranty by Play Heals Teletherapy. While every effort is made to keep information up to date, changes in law and standards, as well as advances in clinical practice, may affect the currency or accuracy of the website content at any time. Play Heals Teletherapy expressly disclaims any liability for any damage or loss incurred, directly or indirectly, by the use or misuse of information from this website.

Licensure and Service Boundaries

Lucia Cortes, LCSW, provides therapy services under the trade name Play Heals Teletherapy, operating as a solo practitioner through Lucia Cortes, LCSW, LLC. Services are rendered exclusively via telehealth to clients who are physically present in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the time of service. Individuals located outside the jurisdictional boundaries of Pennsylvania are not eligible to receive therapeutic services, including consultation or advice, through this practice.

Telehealth therapy is conducted in accordance with all applicable Pennsylvania laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of licensed clinical social work, as well as in alignment with the standards and guidelines adopted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. Play Heals Teletherapy only offers services within the professional licensure scope established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Clients must be physically present within Pennsylvania at the time of their session; services cannot and will not be provided to individuals who are outside the state, regardless of prior client status or intent to return.

Additionally, users are advised that the therapeutic services offered by Play Heals Teletherapy are strictly limited to the scope authorized by Lucia Cortes’s licensure and professional boundaries. This practice does not provide medical, psychiatric, legal, or crisis intervention services outside of those informed by training and regulatory standards for a Pennsylvania Licensed Clinical Social Worker. For any questions regarding licensure or the authority to practice, users may refer to the Pennsylvania Department of State or their respective State Board.

Therapeutic Relationship Boundaries

Engaging with the content on this website, submitting an inquiry through a contact form, or communicating by email does not establish a therapist–client relationship with Play Heals Teletherapy or Lucia Cortes, LCSW. A therapeutic relationship is formed only after completion of a formal intake process, mutual agreement to begin clinical services, and an explicit, signed informed consent between the client and therapist.

Information provided on this website or via communication tools such as email or contact forms is intended exclusively for introductory and informational purposes. Website visitors do not become therapy clients by virtue of visiting, reading content, submitting questions, or expressing interest. Participation in consultation calls, use of website resources, or receipt of educational materials does not in itself create, and must not be construed as creating, a clinical relationship or entitle users to therapeutic guidance, crisis support, or privileged communications under state or federal law.

For individuals seeking therapy services, a therapist–client relationship is only established once you have completed an intake assessment, both parties have mutually agreed to enter into therapeutic work, and all required consent documentation, including telehealth and privacy authorizations, has been duly executed. Until that point, all interactions remain non-clinical and do not create any legal, ethical, or implied provider–client bond. Play Heals Teletherapy holds the right to decline, discontinue, or redirect inquiries that fall outside of its professional scope, jurisdiction, or ethical obligations.

Emergency and Crisis Disclaimer

Play Heals Teletherapy and its website are not equipped to provide crisis intervention, emergency mental health care, or immediate response services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contemplating self-harm or harm to others, or are otherwise in need of urgent assistance, please do not use this website or its contact forms. Instead, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), 911, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

This website is neither monitored continuously nor designed for use in emergencies. Any emails or contact form submissions may not be reviewed or answered promptly. The content of the website, including any automated or pre-recorded responses, is not intended and must not be interpreted as clinical advice, diagnosis, or a substitute for emergency medical or psychiatric intervention.

Play Heals Teletherapy disclaims liability for any delay in the provision of crisis support, and will not be able to offer support for situations that represent imminent risk or require urgent attention. Clients and website visitors should take direct action to access help through recognized crisis resources in Pennsylvania and nationally, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), emergency services (911), or local hospital emergency departments.

If you are outside the state of Pennsylvania, you should contact emergency services in your area. Any non-urgent inquiries submitted to this website will be responded to as soon as possible but should not be relied on for time-sensitive or emergency communications.

Privacy and Communication

Communications Policy

Play Heals Teletherapy is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all users to the extent permitted by law and professional ethics. However, standard email communications and website contact forms are not guaranteed to be secure. By choosing to initiate communication through these channels, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks of unauthorized access, disclosure, or breach of your information during transmission or storage.

Users are strongly advised not to submit confidential, sensitive, or personally identifiable information—including Protected Health Information (PHI)—through unsecured channels such as website forms or regular email. If you choose to contact Play Heals Teletherapy electronically, you do so at your own risk. Play Heals Teletherapy cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit via email or contact forms, and is not responsible for loss, interception, or misuse of data occurring as a result of electronic communication.

Alternative Secure Communication:
For those wishing to convey sensitive information, request appointments, or discuss clinical matters, a secure portal or encrypted means of communication will be provided after the establishment of a formal therapy relationship and completion of intake paperwork. Until then, please restrict all communications to non-sensitive topics and avoid including details about your mental health concerns, history, diagnoses, medications, or other PHI.

Disclosure Limits and User Responsibility:
The responsibility for ensuring the confidentiality and appropriateness of content shared with Play Heals Teletherapy via the website or email rests with the website user. If you submit information or requests through insecure channels, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks involved, including risks of misdelivery, unauthorized access, or unintended sharing of your personal information.

Third-Party and External Links

This website may contain links to third-party resources, websites, or content beyond the control of Play Heals Teletherapy. These are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement, viability, or responsibility for the privacy practices, content, or availability of third-party sites. Users are advised to review the privacy policies and terms of such external sites before submitting any information or engaging with their content.

PHI (Protected Health Information) Transmission Restrictions

As a healthcare provider, Play Heals Teletherapy adheres to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations regarding the privacy and security of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This website is not intended for the transmission, storage, or exchange of any PHI via contact forms, email, chat, or any other unsecured method.

Users must refrain from including PHI for themselves or others in any message or document submitted through website forms, conventional email, or non-HIPAA-compliant channels. PHI includes but is not limited to your full name, date of birth, address, social security number, mental health or medical condition details, diagnosis, or treatment information.

If you are an existing client, communications involving PHI will occur only through secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms or as otherwise agreed upon in your informed consent and privacy practices documentation. Any PHI inadvertently submitted via unsecured means prior to the establishment of a therapeutic relationship or outside secure channels is not covered by the privacy protections guaranteed during clinical care, and Play Heals Teletherapy disclaims any liability for unauthorized access or disclosures under such circumstances.

HIPAA prohibits the indiscriminate sharing or electronic exchange of PHI except as permitted by law, ethical standards, and explicit client authorization. Website visitors and prospective clients are strongly urged to consult directly with Play Heals Teletherapy to obtain secure means of transmitting health information, and to avoid transmitting PHI through this site altogether.

Risks of Submitting Sensitive Information

While Play Heals Teletherapy takes privacy seriously and endeavors to safeguard all communications within its control, users should be aware of the potential risks associated with submitting any personal, sensitive, or confidential information via internet-based channels. These risks include but are not limited to unintentional transmission to incorrect recipients, interception by third parties, lack of end-to-end encryption, data breaches, and unauthorized access due to technical vulnerabilities.

Contact Forms:
Submission of information via the website’s contact form is not encrypted end-to-end and is vulnerable to unauthorized access—particularly if you are using public or unsecured networks. Please limit form submissions to basic information such as your name, general inquiry, and preferred method of contact. Do not include descriptions of your current mental health, diagnoses, suicide risk, or other private documentation.

Email Communications:
Standard email systems (such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) are not inherently HIPAA-compliant unless explicitly indicated. Emails sent to or from Play Heals Teletherapy should not be considered secure until a secure channel has been established for ongoing care. If you proceed with using email to communicate, it is your responsibility to be aware of the inherent risks and to use discretion. Email disclaimers are informative but do not absolve parties from maintaining privacy standards or securing compliance with regulatory requirements.

User Acknowledgement:
By making use of website forms or direct email communication, you acknowledge the limitations and risks of online communication and agree that Play Heals Teletherapy cannot be held responsible for unauthorized access, data corruption, delays, or other issues that may arise as a result of the use of unsecured internet communication tools.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Play Heals Teletherapy and Lucia Cortes, LCSW, LLC disclaim all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this website. This includes—without limitation—lawsuits, claims, or suits stemming from misuse or misinterpretation of website content, delays or failures in communication, technical errors, third-party content, or losses resulting from data breaches or interception by unauthorized parties.

No Guarantee of Outcomes:
No warranty is made, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or applicability of the information presented. No guarantee of availability, suitability, or expected benefit for any service is expressed or implied. Therapy outcomes are inherently variable and dependent upon numerous personal, interpersonal, and contextual factors beyond the control or prediction of the therapist or this practice.

Indemnification:
By using this website, you agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Play Heals Teletherapy, Lucia Cortes, LCSW, and Lucia Cortes, LCSW, LLC against all claims, actions, demands, losses, and expenses—including reasonable legal fees—resulting from your use or misuse of the website, reliance upon information found herein, or from violations of this Disclaimer Policy by you or anyone acting on your behalf.

Jurisdictional Limitation:
This Disclaimer Policy, and your use of the Play Heals Teletherapy website, shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within Pennsylvania.

Updates and Modifications

Play Heals Teletherapy reserves the right to update, revise, or modify this Disclaimer Policy at any time and without prior notice. The most current version will always be posted on this website, and users are encouraged to review the policy regularly. Use of the website after any modifications constitutes acceptance of those changes.

Professional and Ethical Standards

Play Heals Teletherapy practices in accordance with the American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology, as well as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, Pennsylvania State Board regulations, and all applicable state and federal law. Efforts are made to maintain the highest levels of professional competence, confidentiality, and ethical integrity in the provision of telehealth mental health services.

Providers consider the unique benefits and risks of telehealth delivery, actively engage in transparency regarding those risks, and encourage clients to raise any concerns about privacy, boundaries, or appropriateness of telehealth services. Play Heals Teletherapy maintains ongoing continuing education and quality assurance in both clinical care and digital security practices, per evolving state and national standards.

Consent to Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using this website, you indicate acceptance and full understanding of the terms of this Disclaimer Policy. If you do not agree to the above terms, please discontinue use of the website and refrain from any communication through the contact methods provided herein.

Last updated: September 2025

For questions or concerns regarding this Disclaimer Policy, please contact Play Heals Teletherapy directly using a preferred secure communication channel once you have established a formal client relationship.