Privacy Policy Calm the Storm Counseling, LLC (“CTS Counseling,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you engage with our services through our website and telehealth sessions.

 

Your use of this Website constitutes your agreement to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our Website.

 

1. Personal Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information that you submit to us: 

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• Contact information, which may include your name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number; 

• General information shared in inquiries or forms (e.g. reason for seeking therapy); 

• Information submitted through appointment requests or intake paperwork

 

Personal health information (PHI) is only collected through our HIPAA-compliant systems during the intake and therapy process.

 

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information you provide to: 

• Respond to inquiries or appointment requests; 

• Provide and coordinate therapy services; 

• Send updates related to scheduling or resources.

 

We may also share your information with third parties in the following circumstances: 

• When we engage third-party contractors to perform services on our behalf;

• When necessary to satisfy applicable law or regulations, your information and the contents of your online communications on or through this Website may be accessed and monitored.

 

We do not sell your information or use it for purposes unrelated to your care.

 

3. How We Protect Your Information

CTS Counseling uses secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms for intake, telehealth, and record-keeping. We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access or disclosure.

 

Unfortunately, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. Thus, while we have measures in place to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

 

4. Storage and Sharing of Information

We will retain your information for as long as needed to provide you with services. We may also retain your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

We do not share your personal information with third parties except: 

• As required by law; 

• As necessary to provide services (e.g. scheduling software or billing platforms); 

• With your written consent.

 

5. Online Communities, Forums, Surveys, Reviews, and Ratings

This Website may contain messaging services, forums, reviews and ratings pages, communities, and other communication channels. Information that you voluntarily disclose in any of these channels is public information that may be read, collected, or used by us and third parties. Be aware that there is no expectation of privacy or confidentiality in these channels, and we are not responsible for any information that you choose to make public or transmit through these channels. 

 

6. Linked Websites and Services

This Website may link to other websites or services operated by third parties and may carry advertisements, content, functionality, promotions, or applications developed and maintained by third parties. We may also provide social media features on this Website that enable you to share personal information with your social network(s). We do not exercise control over, and are not responsible for the privacy practices of, such third-party websites and services. Linking to a third-party website or service, or providing a feature developed and maintain by a third party, is not an endorsement, authorization, or representation of our affiliation with such third party nor is it an endorsement of such third party’s privacy policies or practices. Use of such third-party website and service is entirely at your own risk.

 

7. Collection and Use of Personal Information of Children Under Age 13

We are committed to protecting the online privacy of children. In accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (”COPPA”), we will not knowingly collect any personally identifiable information from children under the age of thirteen (13) without first obtaining parental consent. Prior to providing any personally identifiable information (e.g. name, email address, mailing address, telephone number etc.), children under the age of thirteen (13) must have a parent or legal guardian complete and submit an electronic Parental Consent Form. The consent form states that the child’s “Parent” or “Legal Guardian,” by his or her signature, consents to the collection and transfer of the child’s personally identifiable information.

 

Consent may be revoked by completing a “Revocation of Parental Consent Form” and sending it to the email or physical mailing address noted below. In compliance with COPPA, we are sensitive about children consulting with parents or guardians before furnishing personal information or ordering anything online. It is also our intention to adhere to the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) Guidelines on Internet advertising with its special sensitivities regarding solicitations to children under thirteen (13). We encourage parents/guardians to supervise and join their children in exploring cyberspace.

 

8. Transfer of Data Abroad

If you are visiting this Site from a country other than the country in which our servers are located, your communications with us may result in the transfer of information across international boundaries. By visiting this Site and communicating electronically with us, you consent to such transfers.

 

9. Compliance with Laws and Law Enforcement

We cooperate with government and law enforcement officials and private parties to enforce and comply with the law. We will disclose any information about you to government or law enforcement officials or private parties as we, in our sole discretion, believe necessary or appropriate to respond to claims and legal process (including without limitation subpoenas), to protect our property and rights or the property and rights of a third party, to protect the safety of the public or any person, or to prevent or stop activity we consider to be illegal or unethical.

 

We will also share your information to the extent necessary to comply with ICANN's rules, regulations and policies. To the extent we are legally permitted to do so, we will take reasonable steps to notify you in the event that we are required to provide your personal information to third parties as part of the legal process.

 

10. Changes in Our Practices

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. If we decide to change our Privacy Policy, we will post those changes to this Privacy Policy and any other places we deem appropriate, so that you are aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we disclose it. If we make material changes to this Policy, we will notify you here, by email, or by means of a notice on our home page, at least thirty (30) days prior to the implementation of the changes.

 

11. Correcting, Updating and Removing Personal Information

You may alter, update or deactivate your account information or opt out of receiving communications from us at any time. You may send an email to Lynn@ctscounseling.net, or you may send mail to Lynn Kapusinski, LCPC, NCC at Calm the Storm Counseling, LLC, 1009 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228. We will respond to your request for access or to modify or deactivate your information within thirty (30) days.

 

12. Your Rights

• You have the right to: 

• Access and review your personal data; 

• Request corrections or deletions;

• Withdraw consent for non-essential communications; 

• If you believe your privacy has been violated, you may file a complaint with our organization or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Information about how to file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services may be found at the following website: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html
  
  You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

 

13. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your information, please contact us at the following address: Lynn Kapusinski, LCPC, NCC Calm the Storm Counseling, LLC 1009 Frederick Road Catonsville, MD 21228 Lynn@ctscounseling.net

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