At Restore Counseling Center, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your information in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards. By engaging with our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information from you:
- Personal Information: This may include your name, date of birth, contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address), and emergency contact details.
- Health Information: To provide effective counseling services, we collect information about your physical and mental health, including any diagnoses, treatment history, current concerns, and other relevant health data.
- Payment Information: If applicable, we collect payment details for billing purposes, such as credit card information, insurance details, or other payment methods.
- Session Information: We may record notes or summaries of your counseling sessions to document progress and treatment plans. These records are kept confidential and are used solely for therapeutic purposes.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal and health information to provide you with the highest standard of counseling services, including:
- To provide counseling services: This includes conducting assessments, creating treatment plans, and tracking your progress.
- Billing and payments: To process payments, verify insurance coverage, and manage financial accounts.
- To comply with legal and ethical obligations: We may use your information to comply with laws, regulations, or professional standards that govern the practice of counseling.
- For administrative purposes: Such as scheduling, follow-ups, and other related tasks to ensure continuity of care.
3. Confidentiality and Privacy
We prioritize the confidentiality of your information and will not share it with others without your consent except in the following circumstances:
- With your written consent: We may share information if you provide written consent, for example, to release records to another healthcare provider, or a family member. We do not share your information with any third parties.
- As required by law: We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a subpoena or court order, or to report abuse or neglect as mandated by the state of Pennsylvania.
- In case of imminent risk: If we believe that there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, we may disclose information to appropriate parties (such as emergency contacts, law enforcement, or medical personnel) to ensure safety.
- For professional supervision or consultation: In some cases, counseling staff may discuss cases with other licensed professionals (e.g., supervisors or colleagues) to ensure the quality of care. Any such discussions are done in a manner that protects your identity and confidentiality.
4. Security of Your Information
We take reasonable precautions to protect the security of your personal and health information, including physical, administrative, and technical safeguards. These measures include:
- Secure storage: Paper records are stored in a locked and secure location. Electronic records are stored in password-protected systems with encryption.
- Restricted access: Only authorized personnel who need access to your information for treatment, billing, or administrative purposes will be granted access.
- Ongoing training: Our staff is trained on privacy and confidentiality policies to ensure that your information is handled responsibly.
5. Retention of Information
We will retain your personal and health information for as long as it is necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law. When your information is no longer needed, we will take steps to securely dispose of or anonymize it.
6. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your information: You may request a copy of the information we have about you, including your counseling records.
- Request corrections: If you believe that any information we hold is inaccurate, you have the right to request corrections.
- Request restrictions: You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your information, though we are not obligated to agree to such requests.
- Withdraw consent: If you have given us consent to use or share your information, you can withdraw it at any time, except where we are required to retain information for legal or professional reasons.
- File a complaint: If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with our center or with relevant regulatory authorities.
7. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be communicated to you via our website, email, or other methods. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for updates.
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us at:
Restore Counseling Center
160 Cowan Road
Parkesburg, PA 19365
610.234.5671
alexis@restore4u.life