The fine print, in plain words.

Effective date: September 4, 2026 · Applies to valeriealt.com, including the MI Training & Consulting section.

Welcome. This website belongs to Valerie Alt, LCSW (California LCSW #74704), Berkeley, California. By using it, you agree to these terms. They exist to keep expectations clear on both sides — I’ve kept them as short and plain as I can.

What this website is — and isn’t

Everything on this site is general information about my practice and my training work. It is not therapy, medical advice, mental-health advice, or a substitute for care from a licensed professional who knows your situation. Reading these pages, sending me a message, or filling out a form does not make you my client and does not create a therapist–client relationship. That relationship begins only when we’ve spoken, agreed to work together, and completed an informed-consent process.

This website is not for emergencies. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself or someone else, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911 right away — don’t wait for a reply from a website form.

Trainings and workshops

I offer public trainings and workshops, such as the two-day Motivational Interviewing training. For any paid training:

• Registration and payment. The fee, dates, and location for each training are listed on its page. Registration is currently handled by email — your spot is confirmed once I’ve confirmed it with you and payment has been received, and I’ll share payment details with you directly.
• If you need to cancel, let me know as early as you can. Any specific refund windows for a training are stated on its page and in your registration confirmation; where none are stated, I’ll work with you in good faith — and you’re always welcome to send a colleague in your place at no charge.
• If I need to cancel or reschedule (illness, low enrollment, venue problems), I’ll tell you as soon as I can and you’ll choose between a full refund and a seat at the rescheduled date. I’m not responsible for travel or lodging costs, so please book flexible arrangements.
• Materials. Training materials are for your own professional use. Please don’t reproduce or distribute them, or record sessions, without my written permission.
• Continuing education. Unless a training’s page expressly says otherwise, no continuing-education credit is offered.
• Trainings are education, not treatment or supervision. Attending a training does not create a therapist–client, supervisory, or consulting relationship.

Your use of the site

Please use this site and its forms in good faith — don’t submit spam, impersonate someone else, attempt to disrupt the site, or use its content to train automated systems for commercial purposes. The writing, design, and images here are mine (or licensed to me); you’re welcome to share links, but please don’t republish the content without asking.

Links to other sites

This site links to services I use and organizations I mention — for example, scheduling and billing for therapy clients happens through SimplePractice, a separate platform with its own terms and privacy practices. I don’t control other sites and am not responsible for their content or policies.

Disclaimers and limits on liability

I work to keep this site accurate and available, but it’s provided “as is” — I can’t promise it will always be current, uninterrupted, or error-free. To the fullest extent California law allows, my liability arising from your use of this website is limited to the greatest extent permitted, and for any paid training it will not exceed the amount you paid to register. Nothing in these terms limits rights that consumer-protection law gives you and that can’t be waived.

Privacy

How this site handles your information is described in the Privacy Policy — the short version is that it collects almost nothing, uses no cookies, and never sells or shares your information for advertising.

Governing law & changes

These terms are governed by California law, and any dispute belongs in the state or federal courts located in Alameda County, California. If I change these terms, I’ll update this page and its effective date; continuing to use the site after a change means you accept the updated terms.

Contact

Questions about these terms: hello@valeriealt.com · (510) 761‑9172 · 830 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA (Root & Bloom Institute).