Website Disclaimer & Professional Disclosure

1. Information Only; Not Clinical Advice

The content on this website, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychiatric condition.

2. No Therapist-Client Relationship

Your use of this website, or your communication with Kyra Smith/Ascend Family Services via this website (including contact forms or email), does not create a therapist-client relationship. A professional relationship is only established after a formal intake process, an initial clinical assessment, and the signing of a formal "Informed Consent for Treatment" agreement.

3. Emergency & Crisis Notice

This website and its contact forms are not monitored 24/7 and are not intended for crisis intervention. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in immediate danger to yourself or others, please:

  • Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

  • Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

  • Contact the Illinois Warm Line at 866-359-7953.

4. Professional Licensing (Illinois)

Kyra Smith is an LCSW, licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to practice in the State of Illinois. Clinical services are generally limited to individuals currently located within the State of Illinois due to state licensing laws and regulations.

5. Confidentiality & Electronic Communication

While we prioritize your privacy, please be aware that standard email and contact forms are not inherently secure. Under the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act, we maintain strict standards for client records; however, the security of information transmitted over the internet cannot be guaranteed. Please do not send sensitive clinical information via the contact form.

6. External Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided solely as a convenience to you and not as an endorsement by Kyra Smith/Ascend Family Service of the content on such third-party websites.