Confidentiality and Privacy Policy | Effective date: 3/10/2025

At Empowered Emotions Counseling, I prioritize your privacy and confidentiality. I understand the sensitive nature of mental health services and am committed to protecting your personal information. This policy outlines how I handle, store, and safeguard your data.

Confidentiality in mental health services

Client-Therapist Confidentiality: Any information you share during sessions is kept confidential and will not be disclosed without your written consent, except in the following circumstances:

  • If there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself and others.

  • If there is an immediate risk of harm to others.

  • If there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly, or vulnerable individual (as required by law).

  • If required by a court order or legal process.

  • If disclosure is necessary for treatment coordination with other healthcare providers (with your consent).

Information I Collect: I may collect the following types of information (using a HIPAA complaint platform):

  • Personal Details: Name, contact information, and demographics.

  • Health Information: Mental health history, symptoms, and treatment details.

  • Communication Data: Emails, phone calls, and messages between you and our service.

  • Website Usage Data: IP address, device type, and browsing activity for security & analytics.

Cookies & Website Privacy

  • My website may use cookies to enhance your experience. You can modify your browser settings to disable cookies, but this may affect site functionality.

How I Use Your Information: I use your information to:

  • Provide and manage counseling services.

  • Schedule appointments and sent reminders.

  • Respond to inquiries and provide support.

  • Maintain legal and ethical records.

  • Improve my website and services.

Data Security and Protection: I implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. These measures include:

  • Secure electronic record-keeping and encrypted data storage.

  • Limited access to personal data, restricted to authorized personnel only.

  • Regular security updates and compliance with industry standards.

Changes to This Policy

  • I may update this Confidentiality & Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

Your Rights and Choices: Depending on your location and applicable laws (e.g., HIPAA), you may have rights to:

  • Access, update, or delete your information.

  • Restrict or object to certain types of data processing.

  • Withdraw consent at any time.

  • Request a copy of your records.

To exercise these rights, please contact me at info@empoweredemotionscounseling.com