Privacy Policy for Jesse McIntosh Psychotherapy, AMFT 134526

Practicing under the supervision of Marina Chatterton Psychotherapy, LCSW #26126

Introduction

As a Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) practicing in California, we are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your personal and health information in accordance with California state laws, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) requirements, federal laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your information when you interact with our website or receive services from us.

By accessing our website and using our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

Personal Information:

  • Contact Information: When you schedule an appointment or inquire about our services, we may collect your name, phone number, email address, and other personally identifiable details necessary to provide services or communicate with you.

Health Information:

  • Protected Health Information (PHI): In order to provide you with therapy services, we may collect sensitive health information including your mental health history, treatment goals, therapy progress, and any other relevant personal health information. This information is treated with the highest level of confidentiality and in accordance with HIPAA.

Website Data:

  • Usage Data: We automatically collect non-personal information about your usage of our website, such as your IP address, browser type, device type, and pages visited. This data helps us improve the performance and content of our website.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To Provide Therapy Services: Your personal and health information is used to provide professional counseling and therapy services.

  • Communication: We may use your contact information to communicate with you regarding scheduling, appointment reminders, therapy-related updates, or inquiries you have made.

  • Website Functionality: To improve your user experience and maintain the functionality of our website, we may use website data to analyze how our site is used and to tailor content to your preferences.

  • Compliance with Legal Obligations: We may use your information to fulfill legal requirements, such as complying with mandatory reporting laws or responding to lawful requests from government authorities.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. However, we may disclose your information under the following circumstances:

With Your Consent:

  • We may share your information with third parties only with your explicit, written consent (e.g., when sharing your health information with other healthcare providers).

Legal Requirements:

  • We may disclose your information when required by law, including in response to subpoenas, court orders, or legal processes. This includes compliance with California’s mandatory reporting laws and situations where there is a risk of harm to you or others.

Protection of Rights and Safety:

  • We may disclose your information if necessary to protect our rights, the safety of our clients, or the safety of others, as required by law or ethical guidelines.

Service Providers:

  • We may engage third-party service providers to assist with administrative functions (e.g., appointment scheduling, website maintenance) who are bound by confidentiality agreements to safeguard your information.

4. Data Security

We take appropriate physical, technical, and administrative measures to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. However, no method of data transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. We encourage you to take precautions to protect your information when interacting with our services.

5. Your Rights Under California and Federal Laws

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

As a resident of California, you have certain rights regarding your personal information under the CCPA:

  • Right to Access: You can request information about the personal data we collect, use, and share about you over the past 12 months.

  • Right to Deletion: You have the right to request that we delete the personal data we have collected about you, subject to certain exceptions under the CCPA and other legal obligations.

  • Right to Opt-Out: You may request to opt-out of the sale of your personal data. However, please note that we do not sell your personal data to third parties.

  • Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights under the CCPA.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [Insert Contact Information]. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law.

HIPAA Compliance:

As a healthcare provider, we comply with HIPAA regulations to protect your Protected Health Information (PHI). This includes:

  • Confidentiality: Your therapy-related health information is confidential and will only be disclosed with your consent or when required by law.

  • Access to Health Records: You have the right to request copies of your health records, request corrections, and receive an accounting of disclosures made by us.

  • Security of PHI: We use secure systems to store and transmit your PHI, in compliance with HIPAA's security requirements.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your user experience on our website. These technologies collect non-personally identifiable data such as usage patterns, IP addresses, and browsing preferences.

You can control cookies by adjusting your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain features on our website.

7. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

8. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or industry standards. When updates are made, we will revise the "Effective Date" at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, need assistance exercising your rights, or wish to file a complaint, please contact us:

  • Email: jbmcintosh@gmail.com

  • Phone: 909 345 3276

  • Mailing Address: 2812 Avenel St, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Important Legal Disclaimers:

  • This Privacy Policy applies to both online interactions via our website and offline communications regarding therapy services. By using our website and services, you consent to the terms set forth in this Privacy Policy.

  • This policy is intended to comply with applicable California laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), HIPAA, and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences ethical and regulatory guidelines. However, it is strongly recommended to consult with a privacy attorney to ensure compliance with all specific regulatory and legal obligations applicable to your practice.