Privacy Policy
Ali Rodriguez, LMFT ("I," "me," or "my") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, and disclosed through this website and in the course of providing therapy services.
SUMMARY
Website communications are not confidential, while therapy sessions are confidential with legal exceptions. I do not sell or share your personal information, and you have rights regarding your information.
1. INFORMATION COLLECTED
Website Information
When you visit this website, certain information may be automatically collected including your IP address, browser type and version, pages visited and time spent, referring website, and device information.
Information You Provide
When you contact me through this website, you may provide your name, email address, phone number, message content, and any other information you choose to share.
Therapy Services Information
If you become a therapy client, I collect contact and demographic information, insurance information if applicable, health history and treatment information, session notes and treatment records, and payment information as necessary for providing professional services.
2. USE OF INFORMATION
Website information is used to respond to inquiries, improve website functionality, understand how visitors use the site, and communicate about services. Therapy information is used to provide treatment services, process payments, comply with legal and ethical obligations, coordinate care with your consent, and maintain professional records as required by law.
3. CONFIDENTIALITY IN THERAPY
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am bound by California law and professional ethics regarding confidentiality. Your therapy information is confidential except in specific circumstances: if you present a serious danger to yourself or others, in cases of suspected child or elder abuse which must be reported, when ordered by a judge, when you provide written consent for disclosure, for coordination of care with treatment teams with limited information, and for basic information if accounts become severely overdue.
4. WEBSITE PRIVACY VS. THERAPY PRIVACY
It's important to understand that website communications such as contact forms and emails are not protected by therapist-client privilege, while therapy sessions and records are protected by confidentiality laws. Please do not send sensitive health information through the website.
5. DATA SECURITY
I implement reasonable safeguards to protect your information including encrypted storage for electronic records, secure physical storage for paper records, password-protected systems, limited access on a need-to-know basis, and secure communication platforms for telehealth. However, no data transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
6. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
This website may use third-party services including Squarespace for website hosting, analytics services, scheduling platforms, and payment processing services. These services have their own privacy policies, and I do not control their data practices.
7. COOKIES AND TRACKING
This website may use cookies to remember your preferences, analyze website traffic, and improve user experience. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling cookies may affect website functionality.
8. YOUR RIGHTS
Under California law, you have the right to access your personal information, correct inaccurate information, delete certain information, opt-out of marketing communications, know what information is collected, and receive non-discrimination for exercising these rights.
For therapy records specifically, you have the right to request access to your records, request amendments to records, request restrictions on uses and disclosures, request confidential communications, and receive an accounting of disclosures. Some limitations apply to protect clinical integrity and safety.
9. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
This website is not directed to children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 through the website. For therapy services with minors, parents and guardians typically have access rights, though adolescents have certain confidentiality rights under California law. I will discuss privacy practices with minor clients and their guardians as appropriate.
10. CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS
California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). I do not sell personal information and do not discriminate against those who exercise privacy rights.
11. DATA RETENTION
Website inquiries are retained for three years or until no longer needed. Therapy records are retained for seven years after last service for adults or until the client turns 25 for minors, per California law. Financial records are retained per tax and business requirements.
12. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with a new "Last Updated" date. Continued use constitutes acceptance of changes. For therapy clients, material changes will be communicated directly.