Privacy Policy & SMS Terms (HIPAA-Aligned)
Privacy Policy (Website + General Communications)
Who We Are
Emberly Counseling (“Emberly,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a mental health practice. We are committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining appropriate safeguards for personal information.
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
As a healthcare provider, Emberly Counseling follows applicable privacy and security requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), when handling Protected Health Information (PHI).
This website Privacy Policy provides a general overview and is not a substitute for our Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP), which describes in detail how we may use and disclose PHI and your rights under HIPAA.
How to obtain our NPP: Available through our intake process/client portal and upon request by calling (717) 934-7008 ext. 100.
Information We Collect
We may collect:
• Contact information (name, phone number, email) that you submit to us
• Scheduling/administrative details (appointment requests)
• Website usage information (basic analytics such as pages visited, device/browser information)
• Messages you send us (emails, web form submissions, texts)
Important: Please do not submit sensitive clinical details through this website’s general contact forms or standard email. For sensitive information, we may provide a secure client portal.
How We Use Your Information
We may use information to:
• Respond to inquiries
• Schedule/confirm/reschedule appointments
• Send administrative communications
• Operate and improve our website and services
• Comply with legal and professional obligations
How We Protect Information
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. For practice management and records, we use TherapyNotes to support scheduling, documentation, and secure recordkeeping.
Sharing of Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information:
• With service providers who help us operate (for example, phone/messaging providers, hosting, analytics) only as needed to provide services and maintain operations
• When required by law or to protect rights and safety
• With your authorization, or as otherwise permitted/required by applicable law and professional standards
Cookies and Analytics
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to improve functionality and understand site usage. You can control cookies through your browser settings.
External Links
Our website may include links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
Contact
Emberly Counseling
Phone: (717) 934-7008 ext. 100
Fax: (717) 229-7505 ext. 100
Website: https://emberlycounseling.com/
SMS Terms & Conditions (Appointment-Related Texting)
Program Description
By opting in, you agree to receive SMS text messages from Emberly Counseling. Text messages are used for administrative and appointment-related purposes such as scheduling, confirmations, reminders, and rescheduling.
Important Texting Privacy Disclosure (HIPAA-Aligned)
Text messaging is not always a secure method of communication. To protect your privacy:
• We do not use SMS for therapy content or detailed clinical discussions.
• Please avoid sending sensitive clinical information by text.
• If you need to share sensitive information, request a secure method (e.g., client portal) or call us.
How to Opt In
You may opt in by providing consent through our intake/consent process (including electronic forms via our client portal and/or written intake forms). We document consent in our records.
Message Frequency
Message frequency varies based on appointment activity.
Costs
Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile plan/carrier.
How to Opt Out
Reply STOP to any message to opt out. You may receive one final confirmation message.
Help
Reply HELP for help or call (717) 934-7008 ext. 100.
Privacy and Data Use (Required SMS Language)
We do not sell your personal information. Mobile information will not be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes.
We may share information with service providers that help deliver messages (for example, phone and messaging providers) only as necessary to provide the service.
Changes to These Terms
We may update these terms by posting a new version on this page with a revised effective date.