privacy practices

Privacy Policy & Website Privacy Practices

Effective Date: August 7th, 2023

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At [Practice Name], we are committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal and health information. As a group therapy practice, we uphold strict ethical and legal standards to safeguard your data.

This website is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Voluntarily
We may collect personal information when you:

  • Complete a contact form

  • Request an appointment

  • Sign up for our newsletter

This may include:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Any information you choose to share in your message

Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we may collect:

  • IP address

  • Browser type and device information

  • Pages visited and time spent on the site

This information helps us improve website performance and user experience.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Respond to inquiries and communicate with you

  • Schedule appointments

  • Send newsletters or updates (if you opt in)

  • Improve our website and services

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

Confidentiality and HIPAA Compliance

As a healthcare provider in the United States, we comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

If you become a client of Blue Pines Counseling, LLC, your Protected Health Information (PHI) will be handled in accordance with HIPAA and outlined in our separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which you will receive prior to or at the start of treatment.

Important:

  • Communication through this website (including contact forms and email) is not fully secure.

  • Please do not include sensitive or confidential health information when contacting us through the website.

Telehealth Services

We offer telehealth services through Doxy.me, a platform designed to be HIPAA-compliant.

Any telehealth sessions are conducted through secure systems; however, clients are also responsible for ensuring privacy on their own devices and networks.

Cookies and Analytics

We may use cookies or analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to:

  • Understand how visitors use our website

  • Improve functionality and performance

You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies if you prefer.

Third-Party Services

Our website may link to or integrate with third-party services, including:

  • Email newsletter platforms

  • Scheduling systems

  • Telehealth services

When these services handle Protected Health Information (PHI) on our behalf, we ensure they enter into appropriate HIPAA-compliant agreements (Business Associate Agreements) as required.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.

Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of online transmission or storage is completely secure.

Your Rights

Depending on your situation, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal information

  • Request corrections to inaccurate information

  • Request deletion of your information (when applicable)

Clients will receive additional rights under our formal HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

Children’s Privacy

This website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through this site.

Communication & Newsletter Preferences

If you sign up for our newsletter or receive communications from us:

  • You may unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in our emails

  • We will only send you information you have opted in to receive

Important Disclaimers

No Emergency Use
This website, contact forms, and email are not monitored 24/7 and are not appropriate for crisis situations.

If you are experiencing an emergency or need immediate assistance, please:

  • Call 911

  • Go to your nearest emergency room

  • Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 (in the United States)

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.