East Texas Counseling Group is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal information is handled safely and securely. This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal information in compliance with applicable laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), state privacy laws, and other relevant regulations in Texas.
 
1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that is necessary to provide therapy services to you. This may include, but is not limited to:
 
•Personal Identifying Information (e.g., name, address, phone number, date of birth)

•Health information (e.g., mental health history, medical conditions, treatment plans)

•Payment information (e.g., insurance information, payment methods)

•Appointment scheduling information

•IP Address, cookies, etc. when utilizing the website www.etxcounseling.com
 
2. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information to:
 
•Provide therapy and related services

•Process payments and insurance claims
 
•Communicate with you regarding appointments, treatment, and administrative matters
 
•Comply with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations

•Maintain accurate records for treatment purposes
 
3. How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable and necessary precautions to safeguard your personal information, including:
 
•Secure storage of paper and electronic records
 
•Encryption of sensitive data
 
•Limited access to personal information to only those who need it to perform their job duties
 
•Regular training for our staff regarding privacy and security procedures
 
4. Sharing Your Information

We do not disclose your personal information to third parties without your consent, except in the following circumstances:
 
•With your consent for specific purposes (e.g., referring you to other professionals or obtaining a release of information)
 
•As required by law, such as in cases of mandated reporting, subpoenas, or court orders
 
•To health insurance companies for billing purposes (with your consent or as required by law)•With healthcare professionals involved in your care, as necessary to provide treatment
 
•To contractors or service providers who assist us in operating our business, with appropriate safeguards in place
 
5. Your Rights Regarding Your Information

Under HIPAA and Texas law, you have certain rights regarding your personal health information, including:
 
•The right to access and obtain copies of your records
 
•The right to request corrections or amendments to your records
 
•The right to request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your information
 
•The right to receive an accounting of disclosures of your information

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information below.
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6. Retention of Your Information

We retain your personal and health information as long as necessary to provide treatment, meet legal and regulatory requirements, and fulfill our business obligations.

After this period, we will securely dispose of or anonymize your information.
 
7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting an updated policy on our website or by other means.
 
8. Complaints

You may complain to the Secretary of Health and Human Services or to East Texas Counseling Group if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You may file a complaint in writing to Dr. Melanie Roudkovski, LPC-S. No retaliation will occur for filing a complaint.
 
9. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy policy or how your information is handled, please contact us at:

East Texas Counseling Group

405 Magrill St. Longview, TX 75601

(903)-502-0490

info@etxcounseling.com

By signing up for our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this privacy policy and consent to the practices described herein.