Website Privacy Policy | Cassie McCarthy, Online Therapist

This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By visiting our website (cassiemccarthy.com), you agree to the terms of this privacy policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please refrain from using our site.

We collect the following personal information through our website:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number

Any additional information you choose to provide is voluntary.

We also use Google Analytics to gather information on visitor behavior, such as IP addresses, browser type, and the pages visited. This helps us understand website usage and improve user experience. Google Analytics uses cookies for tracking purposes. You can adjust your browser settings to decline cookies if preferred.

As a healthcare provider, we are committed to protecting the privacy of your health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). While our website does not directly collect health information, any personal information submitted via contact forms is sent securely to our encrypted, HIPAA-compliant Google account. Once you become a client, all data is stored and managed in Simple Practice, a fully encrypted and HIPAA-compliant platform for health record management.

We use your personal information to:

• Respond to inquiries and schedule appointments
• Communicate relevant updates about services or policies
• Monitor website traffic and improve the user experience through analytics
• Maintain an email list for those who sign up for blog notifications or for any free downloadable materials; this is then used to provide updates on blog posts or new offerings.

We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. However, we may use your data for advertising through Google Ads, and third-party vendors may use cookies to serve ads based on your previous visits to our website.

We work with the following third-party vendors:

Simple Practice*: for scheduling, telehealth, and managing therapy-related records (all data is encrypted).

Google*: using a HIPAA-compliant version for managing communications and forms.

Excel: for securely storing information, where all files are password-protected and stored on a local hard drive, not in the cloud.

MailerLite: This platform is used to collect email addresses for people who voluntarily opt in to receiving email updates about the blogs posted on CassieMcCarthy.com . Signing up for blog emails is completely voluntary and does not indicate any form of a therapeutic relationship.

*These vendors are required to follow privacy practices that align with HIPAA and our professional standards.

We retain therapy-related records according to state laws and professional guidelines. If a client requests the deletion of their records, we will seek legal counsel to determine how to proceed, taking into account both professional obligations and legal requirements.

We prioritize the security of your personal information. The following measures are in place:

• Encrypted communications: All client-related communications are processed through HIPAA-compliant platforms, including Simple Practice and a HIPAA-compliant version of Google.
• Secure data storage: Client data from telehealth sessions and communications is securely stored in Simple Practice.

While we take every reasonable measure to protect your information, no system can be entirely secure. Please be aware of the potential risks of providing personal information over the internet.

We use cookies and similar technologies for tracking user behavior on our website. These tools are used for Google Analytics, Metricool Analytics, and may also be used for interest-based advertising through Google Ads. You can opt out of this type of tracking by adjusting your browser settings or visiting opt-out pages provided by organizations like the Digital Advertising Alliance.

We do not serve clients outside the United States, and this policy does not address compliance with international privacy regulations like GDPR or LGPD.

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, with a notice on our homepage if significant changes are made. By continuing to use the website after such changes go into effect, you are agreeing to the revised policy.

If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy policy, you may contact us via email at Info[at]CassieMcCarthy.com or by mail at:

Cassie McCarthy, LICSW
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
USA

Last Updated: November 29, 2024