Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy for SHIFT Your Journey Mental Health Counseling, PLLC
At SHIFT Your Journey Mental Health Counseling, PLLC (referred to as “we,” “our,” or “us”), we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our clients. This Privacy Policy outlines the types of information we collect, how we use and protect it, and your rights regarding your personal data. By accessing or using our services, including our website, therapy sessions, and any related services (collectively referred to as the “Service”), you agree to the collection and use of your information as described in this policy.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI), as governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and other applicable privacy laws. This Privacy Policy applies to all personal and health-related information that we collect in the course of providing mental health counseling services.
Information We Collect
We may collect a variety of personal and health-related information in order, to provide high-quality services to you. This includes, but is not limited to:
Personal Information:
Full Name
Contact Information (phone number, email, address)
Date of Birth
Insurance information (if applicable)
Emergency contact information
Health Information:
Mental and physical health history
Diagnoses and treatment plans
Session notes and psychotherapy notes
Medications and allergies
Health insurance details
Communication Information:
Information collected through email, phone calls, or website forms
Any responses to surveys, questionnaires, or feedback forms
Financial Information:
Credit card details (for billing purposes)
Insurance billing and payment history
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to provide you with the best possible mental health care and ensure the effective management of your treatment. Specifically, we may use your information for the following purposes:
Providing Treatment:
To assess your mental health needs, create treatment plans, and provide ongoing mental health counseling services.
Billing and Payment:
To process payments, bill your insurance company, or assist you with claims.
Appointment and Communication:
To schedule and confirm appointments, send reminders, and communicate important information about your treatment.
Operational Purposes:
To improve the quality of services we provide, conduct internal audits, and perform quality control checks.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance:
To comply with federal and state laws regarding medical records and data privacy, including but not limited to HIPAA and state-specific privacy laws.
Disclosure of Information
We understand that your health information is sensitive, and we are committed to maintaining your privacy. However, there are certain circumstances in which we may disclose your information, as described below:
For Treatment Purposes:
We may share your PHI with other healthcare providers, such as doctors, psychiatrists, or other therapists, to coordinate your care.
For Payment Purposes:
We may disclose your PHI to your insurance provider or other third-party payers to obtain payment for services rendered. This may include providing billing information such as dates of service, diagnoses, and treatment details.
For Health Care Operations:
We may share your information with third-party service providers (referred to as Business Associates) who assist us with operations such as electronic health record management, billing, and legal services. These Business Associates are required by law to protect the confidentiality of your information.
To Comply with Legal Requirements:
We may disclose your PHI when required by law, including but not limited to court orders, subpoenas, or government investigations.
In the Event of an Emergency or Imminent Threat:
We may disclose your PHI if we believe it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or the health of others.
For Public Health and Safety:
We may disclose your information as required by law to authorities responsible for public health activities, such as reporting communicable diseases or adverse effects of medications.
For Research and Education (with consent):
In some cases, we may use or share de-identified health information for research or educational purposes. We will seek your consent before using your identifiable information for these purposes.
To Family and Friends (with consent):
With your consent, we may share limited information about your care with individuals you designate, such as family members or close friends, who are involved in your treatment or financial responsibility.
Your Rights Regarding Your Information
As a client of SHIFT Your Journey Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, you have several rights regarding your personal and health-related information:
Right to Access:
You have the right to request a copy of your PHI in a designated record set, including mental health records, billing information, and treatment notes. We may charge a fee for the copy.
Right to Amend:
If you believe that any information we hold about you is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request an amendment to your records. We are not required to accept all amendment requests, but we will review them and respond in writing.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures:
You have the right to request an accounting of certain disclosures of your PHI that have occurred within the past six years, except for disclosures related to treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Right to Restrict Certain Disclosures:
You may request that we restrict certain uses or disclosures of your PHI. We are not obligated to agree to these requests, but we will consider them carefully.
Right to Confidential Communications:
You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a different location (e.g., by phone instead of email). We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to Revoke Authorization:
You may revoke any authorization you have given us to use or disclose your information, except to the extent that we have already acted on your authorization.
Right to Opt-Out of Marketing Communications:
If we send you marketing materials, you have the right to opt-out of receiving such communications. You can contact us to stop receiving these messages at any time.
Data Security
We take the security of your personal and health information seriously. We have implemented physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your information. These safeguards include:
Encryption of sensitive data during transmission and storage.
Access Control to limit access to your information to authorized personnel only.
Regular Security Audits to monitor and improve our security measures.
Despite these efforts, no method of transmission or storage can be 100% secure. If you have concerns about the security of your information, please contact us.
Third-Party Services
We use third-party services (such as email providers, billing processors, and IT vendors) to help manage and deliver services. These third parties may have access to your information, but they are contractually obligated to protect it and use it only for the purposes for which it was disclosed. Consumer information is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
Additionally, third-party services such as Google, Facebook, or other ad networks may use cookies or other tracking technologies to collect information about your use of our website. You can opt out of certain types of data collection by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative’s opt-out page.
Consent for SMS Text Messages
By providing your phone number, you consent to receive SMS text messages from SHIFT Your Journey Mental Health Counseling, PLLC for appointment reminders, marketing messages, and general two-way communication. Message frequency may vary. Message & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for support. Reply STOP to opt out. For more information, refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time in order to , reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or services. If we make significant changes, we will notify you via email or by posting a prominent notice on our website. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to exercise any of your rights regarding your personal or health information, please contact us at:
SHIFT Your Journey Mental Health Counseling, PLLC
Phone: 914-221-3200
Email: Hello@shiftyourjourney.com
Address: 75 S. Broadway, 4th Fl, White Plains, NY 10601
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll-Free: 1-877-696-6775
We take privacy concerns seriously and will investigate all complaints. No individual will be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Effective Date: January 11, 2025