Essence Counseling and Wellness PRIVACY POLICY

Essence Counseling and Wellness (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of all individuals who visit our website or engage in our psychotherapy services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit https://essencecw.com/.

This policy applies to website visitors only. A separate HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices governs how we use and protect clinical and health information during psychotherapy services.

a. Information You Voluntarily Provide

When interacting with our website, you may choose to provide:

• Your name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Messages submitted through contact forms
• Appointment requests
  

Please do not include sensitive clinical information (such as symptoms, diagnoses, trauma history, or medication lists) when using general website forms. Sensitive health information should be communicated only through secure, HIPAA-compliant systems.

b. Information Collected Automatically

We may automatically collect non-identifiable technical information such as:

• IP address
• Browser type and device information
• Pages visited and time spent
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

This information helps us analyze site performance and improve user experience.

We may use your information to:

• Respond to inquiries or appointment requests
• Provide information about our services
• Improve website functionality and security
• Maintain internal administrative records
• Send updates or communications (only with your consent)
  

We do not sell, rent, or trade your information.

If you become a client of Essence Counseling and Wellness, any information shared during therapy, through intake forms, or via secure client portals is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) and is governed by:

• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Applicable state laws regarding mental health confidentiality

Your PHI is not collected or stored through this public website and will only be used or disclosed as permitted by HIPAA or with your written authorization.

Limits of Confidentiality (for psychotherapy clients)

Confidentiality may be broken only if:

• You present an imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or others
• There is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly adult, or disabled adult
• Records are subpoenaed or required by law
• You authorize release in writing
• These limits apply only to active psychotherapy clients and not to general website visitors.

We may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• Analyze traffic
• Improve navigation
• Enhance website functionality
  

You may disable cookies in your browser settings, though certain website features may not function properly.

We may use trusted third-party service providers for:

• Website hosting
• Contact form processing
• Appointment scheduling
• Analytics (such as Google Analytics)
  

These providers may have limited access to information solely to deliver specific services and are required to maintain confidentiality.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites linked from our site.

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information.
However, no method of online transmission is entirely secure.

Clinical communications occur only through encrypted, HIPAA-compliant systems—not through general website forms.

Our website is not intended for children under 13.

We do not knowingly collect information from children through the website, and any such information identified will be promptly deleted.

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we have collected
• Request corrections
• Request deletion (where legally permitted)
• Opt out of communications
  

Psychotherapy clients receive additional HIPAA-specific rights, which are outlined in the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices provided at intake.

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally.
Changes will be reflected with an updated “Last Updated” date.
Continued use of the website constitutes acceptance of these changes.

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy, HIPAA, or confidentiality practices, please contact:

Essence Counseling and Wellness
Phone: 980-224-0034
Email: admin@essenceecw.com
Address: 250 Branchview Drive Northeast Concord, NC 28025