Our Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
At Assured Hope Counseling Services, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the information you provide to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose information when you visit our website, contact us, request services, or interact with our online forms.
This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through this website and does not replace our Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how protected health information may be used and disclosed in connection with counseling and healthcare services.
1. Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with our website, we may collect information such as:
Your name
Email address
Phone number
Information you provide when requesting an appointment or consultation
Information included in messages or contact forms
General information about the counseling services you are interested in
Information you voluntarily provide when communicating with us
Technical information such as IP address, browser type, device information, and website usage data
Please avoid submitting highly sensitive medical or mental health information through general website contact forms unless specifically requested. Website forms and email may not provide the same protections as our secure client communication systems.
2. How We Use Your Information
We may use information collected through our website to:
Respond to your questions and requests
Contact you about consultations or services
Help schedule or coordinate appointments
Provide information about our counseling services
Improve our website and user experience
Maintain website security and prevent misuse
Respond to technical or administrative requests
Meet legal, regulatory, or professional obligations
We do not use information submitted through this website for purposes unrelated to providing, supporting, or communicating about our services unless permitted by law or you have provided appropriate authorization.
3. Mental Health and Health Information
Because Assured Hope Counseling Services provides counseling and mental health services, information related to your care may be protected by federal and state privacy laws, including HIPAA when applicable.
Protected health information is handled according to our Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable legal requirements.
HIPAA provides individuals with important rights concerning their protected health information, including rights to access certain records, request corrections, request certain restrictions, and receive information about permitted uses and disclosures.
Our website Privacy Policy should not be considered a substitute for the Notice of Privacy Practices provided to clients.
4. Information You Submit Through Forms
If you use a contact, consultation, or appointment request form on our website, the information you provide may be transmitted to us through our website service provider, form provider, email system, scheduling platform, or other technology used to operate the website.
We use reasonable safeguards appropriate to the information and purpose involved. However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
For your protection, please do not include detailed medical history, crisis information, passwords, financial information, or other highly sensitive information in a general website contact form.
5. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies, pixels, analytics tools, or similar technologies to help us understand how visitors use the website and to improve website performance.
These technologies may collect information such as:
Pages visited
Time spent on the website
Browser and device information
General geographic information
Referring website
Website interactions
We may use third-party website and analytics providers to help operate and improve our website.
Where applicable, you may be able to control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect some website functionality.
6. Third-Party Services
Our website may use third-party services for functions such as:
Appointment scheduling
Contact forms
Email communication
Website hosting
Website analytics
Video or telehealth services
Payment processing
Website security
These third parties may receive information necessary to provide their services. We expect service providers handling protected health information on our behalf to meet applicable legal and contractual requirements, including business associate requirements when applicable.
We do not control the privacy practices of third-party websites or services that you may access through links on our website. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing information.
7. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to:
Provide requested services
Operate and maintain our website
Work with service providers who support our operations
Comply with applicable laws and legal processes
Protect the rights, safety, and security of our clients, staff, website, or others
Prevent fraud, abuse, or unauthorized activity
Meet professional, regulatory, or legal obligations
Information related to counseling and treatment may be subject to additional privacy protections. Any use or disclosure of protected health information will be handled according to applicable law and our Notice of Privacy Practices.
8. Confidentiality and Website Communications
Counseling relationships involve confidentiality protections. However, contacting us through a general website form, email, text message, or other electronic communication does not necessarily create the same level of confidentiality as communication through an approved secure client communication system.
If you are an existing client, please use the secure communication method provided by your counselor or practice when discussing sensitive information.
9. Telehealth Privacy
Some counseling services may be provided through telehealth.
Telehealth sessions may be conducted using a secure technology platform selected by the practice. Additional information about telehealth privacy, consent, technology requirements, and client responsibilities may be provided before services begin.
Clients should participate in telehealth sessions from a private location whenever possible and use a secure internet connection.
10. Data Security
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect information against unauthorized access, use, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
However, no website, electronic communication method, or online storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. You should take reasonable steps to protect your own devices, accounts, passwords, and internet connection.
11. Data Retention
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, to provide services, maintain business and legal records, meet professional obligations, resolve disputes, and comply with applicable laws.
Client records may be subject to separate retention requirements under applicable healthcare, professional, and state laws.
12. Children's Privacy
Our website is not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children through general website forms without appropriate involvement or authorization from a parent, guardian, or other legally authorized person.
Where counseling services involve minors, additional privacy, consent, and confidentiality requirements may apply under applicable law.
13. Your Privacy Choices and Rights
Depending on the information involved and applicable law, you may have rights regarding your personal information or protected health information.
These rights may include requesting access to certain information, requesting corrections, asking questions about how information is used, and submitting privacy-related complaints.
For protected health information, your rights are described in our Notice of Privacy Practices. HHS states that HIPAA-covered providers must explain individuals' privacy rights and their own responsibilities regarding protected health information.
14. Privacy Complaints
If you have questions or concerns about our privacy practices, please contact Assured Hope Counseling Services using the contact information provided on this website.
You also have the right to raise a complaint regarding protected health information with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights when applicable. Filing a complaint should not result in retaliation.
15. Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services.
We are not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any external website before submitting personal information.
16. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our website, services, technology, or applicable requirements.
When changes are made, we will update the Last Updated date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
17. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:
Assured Hope Counseling Services
Florida, USA
Phone: 888-862-1183
Email: info@assuredhopecounseling.com
Address: Telehealth — All of Florida
Important Notice
This Privacy Policy is intended for general website privacy practices and is not legal advice. Because Assured Hope Counseling Services provides mental health services, the practice should have its Privacy Policy and HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices reviewed by qualified legal or compliance counsel before publishing.
The HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices should be separately available on the website if the practice is subject to HIPAA. HHS specifically states that covered providers maintaining a website with information about their services must prominently post their notice.