Privacy Policy
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
At Sage & Salt Counseling, we understand that the foundation of a successful therapeutic relationship is trust. We are deeply committed to protecting your personal information and maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality. This statement outlines how we handle the information you provide through this website and during our professional engagement.
Website Privacy
When you visit our website, we may collect certain information to improve your user experience:
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Contact Information: If you fill out a "Contact Us" or "Request an Appointment" form, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and any information you choose to provide. Please be aware that standard email and website forms are not always encrypted; avoid sharing sensitive clinical details via these forms.
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Log Data: Like most websites, our servers automatically record information sent by your browser, such as your IP address, browser type, and the pages you visit.
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Cookies: We use cookies to enhance site navigation and analyze site usage. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent.
Professional Confidentiality
The information shared within counseling sessions is protected by state law and the ethical codes of the counseling profession (Texas BHEC). We maintain a strict "need-to-know" policy regarding your clinical records.
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Limits of Confidentiality
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While we prioritize your privacy, there are specific legal and ethical exceptions where we are mandated to disclose information without your consent:
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Harm to Self or Others: If there is a clear and imminent danger that you may harm yourself or another person.
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Abuse of Vulnerable Populations: If there is reasonable suspicion of the abuse or neglect of a child, an elderly person, or a person with a disability.
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Court Orders: If a judge issues a subpoena or court order requiring the release of records.
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Professional Supervision: As part of our commitment to high-quality care, your case may be discussed in a confidential supervisory or peer-consultation setting. In these instances, all identifying information is removed or obscured to protect your identity.
HIPAA and Protected Health Information
For clients entering into a formal therapeutic relationship, we provide a detailed Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This document describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.
Third-Party Services
We may use third-party service providers (such as secure telehealth platforms or electronic health record systems) to facilitate our services. These providers are strictly vetted and are required to sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) to ensure they maintain the same level of HIPAA-compliant security and confidentiality that we do.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
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Request a copy of your records.
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Request an amendment to your records if you believe the information is inaccurate.
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Request an accounting of certain disclosures of your information.
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Withdraw your consent for data collection or communication at any time.
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Contacting the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Counsel (BHEC) for more information: https://bhec.texas.gov/
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If you would like to file a complaint, or enquirer about more information with the Attorney General please use the following link: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection
Security Measures
We employ industry-standard security measures, including encryption and secure servers, to protect your data. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We encourage you to use our secure client portal for all sensitive communications.
Updates to This Statement
We may update this Privacy and Confidentiality Statement from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We encourage you to review this page periodically.