The Journey Counseling Services ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at www.thejourneycs.com and use our services.
Information We Collect
Personal Information You Provide
We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:
- Contact Us: Name, email address, phone number (optional), and message content
- Book an Appointment: Information entered through our SimplePractice booking system, which is handled under their HIPAA-compliant platform
- Use Our Chatbot: Questions and messages you send to our AI assistant (conversations are not permanently stored)
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- Device Information: Browser type, operating system, and device type
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
- Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address
- Marketing Attribution: UTM parameters that help us understand how you found our website
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Respond to your inquiries and provide requested services
- Schedule and manage appointments
- Send appointment confirmations and reminders
- Improve our website and services
- Analyze website traffic and marketing effectiveness
- Comply with legal obligations
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:
- Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google may set cookies to collect anonymous usage data. You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
- Session Storage: We temporarily store marketing attribution data (UTM parameters) in your browser's session storage. This data is cleared when you close your browser tab.
Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may collect or process your information:
- SimplePractice: Our HIPAA-compliant appointment scheduling and practice management system. View their Privacy Policy
- Google Analytics: Website analytics service. View their Privacy Policy
- Postmark: Email delivery service for confirmations and notifications. View their Privacy Policy
AI Chatbot
Our website features an AI-powered chatbot assistant to help answer questions about our services. Please note:
- Chat conversations are not permanently stored in our database
- The chatbot provides general information only and does not provide clinical advice
- If crisis-related keywords are detected, the chatbot will provide emergency resources (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 911)
- Do not share sensitive personal health information through the chatbot
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information, including:
- SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted to and from our website
- Secure, encrypted storage of sensitive information
- Regular security assessments and updates
- Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Contact form submissions are retained for up to 3 years for business record-keeping purposes.
Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
- Opt-out: Opt out of marketing communications at any time
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.
California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used, and the right to request deletion of your personal information. We do not sell personal information to third parties.
Children's Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us: