HIPAA Notice: This Privacy Policy incorporates our Notice of Privacy Practices as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the HITECH Act. As a mental health counseling provider, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information (PHI).
- Introduction
South Florida Counseling Agency (“Agency,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a licensed mental health counseling practice operating in the State of Florida, accessible at https://southfloridacounseling.net. We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services.
Our counselors are licensed under Florida Statutes §491 (Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists) and are bound by the ethical and legal obligations set forth therein.
- Information We Collect
Personal Identification Information
- Full name, date of birth, and contact details (email, phone, address)
- Insurance information and billing details
- Emergency contact information
Protected Health Information (PHI)
- Mental health history, diagnoses, and treatment records
- Session notes and progress records
- Medication information (where relevant to treatment)
- Any information you share during counseling sessions
Website Usage Information
- IP address, browser type, and operating system
- Pages visited, time spent on pages, and referring URLs
- Device identifiers and session data
- How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Treatment: To provide, coordinate, and manage your mental health care, including the services listed below:
- Individual Therapy
- Couples Counseling
- Telehealth / Online Sessions
- Payment: To process billing, submit insurance claims, and manage financial transactions related to your care.
- Healthcare Operations: For quality assurance, staff training, compliance audits, and business management activities.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable federal and Florida state laws, including mandatory reporting obligations.
- Communication: To respond to your inquiries, send appointment reminders, and provide information about our services.
- Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
- With Your Consent: We will disclose your PHI to third parties only with your written authorization, except as permitted or required by law.
- Treatment Providers: With other healthcare providers involved in your care (e.g., psychiatrists, primary care physicians) when necessary for treatment.
- Business Associates: With HIPAA-compliant vendors who assist in our operations (e.g., billing services, electronic health record systems) under signed Business Associate Agreements (BAAs).
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to comply with mandatory reporting obligations (e.g., suspected child abuse under Florida Statutes §39.201, or imminent danger to self or others).
- Baker Act: In accordance with the Florida Mental Health Act (Florida Statutes §394), we may disclose information when necessary to initiate an involuntary examination for a person who poses a danger to themselves or others.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and understand where our visitors are coming from. Cookies are small data files placed on your device.
Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly.
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our site.
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some features of our website may not function correctly if cookies are disabled.
Third-Party Analytics
We use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to collect anonymized information about website usage. These services may use cookies and similar technologies. The data collected is aggregated and does not identify individual users. You may opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
- Your Rights Under HIPAA
As our patient, you have the following rights regarding your Protected Health Information:
- Right to Access: Request a copy of your health records.
- Right to Amend: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete records.
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: Request a list of disclosures we have made of your PHI.
- Right to Restrict: Request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI (we are not always required to agree).
- Right to Confidential Communications: Request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location.
- Right to a Paper Copy: Receive a paper copy of this Privacy Policy / Notice of Privacy Practices upon request.
- Right to File a Complaint: File a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
- Telehealth Services
When you use our telehealth services, we may collect additional technical data such as your IP address, device type, and session metadata to facilitate the secure delivery of services. Telehealth sessions are conducted over HIPAA-compliant, encrypted platforms. By participating in telehealth, you consent to the collection of this technical information as described herein.
- Data Security
We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information in compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule. These measures include encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS), access controls, secure storage systems, and regular security assessments. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.
- Data Retention
We retain mental health records for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date of last service, or for seven (7) years after a minor patient reaches the age of 18, whichever is later, in accordance with Florida law and professional standards.
- Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. For minors receiving counseling services, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent in accordance with Florida law.
- Third-Party Crisis & Emergency Services Disclaimer
Important Notice Regarding External Crisis & Emergency Resources: Throughout this website and in our documents, we may reference third-party emergency and crisis services — including, but not limited to, calling 911, contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988), the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741), local emergency rooms, or other crisis intervention resources.
South Florida Counseling Agency does not own, operate, manage, control, or represent any of these external services. We have no affiliation, partnership, or formal relationship with 911 dispatch centers, the 988 Lifeline network, the Crisis Text Line, any hospital emergency department, or any other third-party crisis or emergency organization referenced herein.
These references are provided solely as a public safety courtesy to help individuals in crisis access immediate assistance. We do not endorse, guarantee, or assume any responsibility for the availability, response times, quality of care, or outcomes associated with any external crisis or emergency service.
By referencing these services, South Florida Counseling Agency makes no representation that:
- Any specific service will be available at the time of need;
- Response times or outcomes will meet any particular standard;
- The information provided by those services is accurate or complete;
- We have any ability to influence, direct, or control those services in any way.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact the appropriate emergency services directly. South Florida Counseling Agency is not an emergency service and cannot guarantee real-time crisis response.
- Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on our website with an updated effective date. Your continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
- Contact Our Privacy Officer
For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights under this Privacy Policy, please contact:
South Florida Counseling Agency
Privacy Officer
Phone: (954) 370-8081
Email: info@southfloridacounseling.net
Website: https://southfloridacounseling.net
