Privacy Policy for Awakening Change Counseling Services LLC
Effective Date: December 6, 2024
Introduction
At Awakening Change Counseling Services LLC (“we”, “our”, “us”), we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share your personal information, including how we comply with relevant privacy regulations such as the 10DLC (10-digit long code) rules for SMS messaging, in the context of providing therapy services. By using our services or communicating with us, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
We collect several types of personal information to provide our therapy services effectively and to communicate with you in a secure manner. The types of information we collect include:
- Personal Identification Information: Name, phone number, email address, date of birth, and emergency contact details.
- Health and Medical Information: Information about your mental health history, diagnoses, treatment plans, progress notes, and other related healthcare data.
- Payment Information: Credit card details or other billing information for service payments.
- Communication Preferences: Your preferred methods of contact (e.g., email, phone, text message).
- SMS Communication: If you opt-in to receive text messages from us, we collect your phone number and communication preferences. We may use 10DLC for certain types of text messaging, and we will adhere to all relevant regulations to ensure compliance.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To manage appointments.
- To communicate with you about your therapy sessions, including appointment reminders, updates, and billing details.
- To respond to inquiries or feedback from you.
- To process payments for services rendered.
- To ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal and health-related information.
- To send you SMS messages if you have opted into receiving text communications. We will use 10DLC to send appointment reminders, wellness tips, or other necessary updates regarding your therapy.
Consent to Receive SMS Communications
By providing us with your phone number, you consent to receive SMS text messages from us related to your therapy appointments, reminders, and other practice-related information.
- 10DLC Compliance: We comply with the 10DLC regulations for text messaging in the United States. This means that if we use 10-digit long codes (10DLC) for SMS communication, you will receive a clear opt-in and opt-out process. You can opt-out of receiving text messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any message we send. If you have any questions or concerns about 10DLC messaging, please contact us directly.
- Opt-Out: You may withdraw your consent to receive SMS communications at any time by texting “STOP” to our number. We will respect your choice and cease sending you text messages. However, please note that some important communication (e.g., emergency scheduling changes or legal notices) may still be sent via other methods.
Sharing Your Information
We respect your privacy and do not share your personal information with third parties except in the following circumstances:
- With Your Consent: If we need to share your information with a third party (e.g., referring you to a specialist or transferring records), we will first obtain your written consent.
- Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist with our operations, such as billing companies, email or SMS service providers, and electronic health record systems. These providers are required to keep your information confidential and to comply with applicable privacy laws.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information to comply with legal obligations or in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.
Security of Your Information
We take reasonable steps to protect the personal and health-related information we collect, including using encryption, secure servers, and access control protocols. However, no method of data transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Your Rights Regarding Your Information
You have certain rights regarding the personal information we collect:
- Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal and health-related information we have about you.
- Right to Correct: You can request that we correct any inaccuracies in the information we hold about you.
- Right to Delete: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent to receive SMS messages at any time by following the instructions in the “Opt-Out” section above.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact details provided below.
Data Retention
We retain your personal and health information for as long as necessary to provide our services and to comply with legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations. Once the information is no longer needed, it will be securely disposed of or anonymized.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the revised policy on our website with an updated effective date. If we make significant changes, we will notify you directly, if possible. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your privacy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us at:
Awakening Change Counseling Services LLC
1010 Haddonfield Berlin Rd – Suite 403
Voorhees, NJ 08043
856-873-9069
info@awakeningchange.org