Privacy Policy

At MCS Counseling Group, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or engage with our services.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personally identifiable information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Fill out a contact form or request a consultation
• Book an appointment through our website
• Subscribe to our newsletter or blog
• Communicate with us via email, phone, or our client portal

This information may include your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and any other information you choose to provide.

Health Information

Any health or mental health information shared with us is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) and is handled in strict accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). We do not collect detailed health information through our website. Clinical information is collected separately through secure, HIPAA-compliant systems during the intake process.

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activity, including:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Referring website or source
• Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze website traffic. You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent tool. For more details, please see our Cookie Practices section below.

2. Cookie Practices

We use the following types of cookies:

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We may use Google Analytics, which sets cookies to help us accurately estimate the number of visitors to the website and the volumes of usage. For more information on how Google uses your data, please visit Google's Privacy & Terms page.

Functional Cookies

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.

Managing Cookies

You can change your cookie preferences at any time using the cookie consent tool on our website. You may also set or amend your web browser controls to accept or refuse cookies. Please note that removing or blocking cookies can impact your user experience and parts of our website may no longer be fully accessible.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our services: Responding to inquiries, scheduling appointments, and communicating with you.
• To improve our website: Understanding how visitors use our site so we can improve content and user experience.
• To comply with legal obligations: Meeting regulatory and legal requirements applicable to mental health providers.
• To protect our rights: Detecting, preventing, and addressing technical issues, fraud, or other illegal activities.
• For marketing communications: With your consent, sending newsletters, updates, or promotional materials related to our services. You may opt out at any time.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or serving you (e.g., appointment scheduling platforms, email services). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency).
• Business transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
• With your consent: We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit consent.

5. HIPAA Compliance

As a healthcare provider, MCS Counseling Group complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All Protected Health Information (PHI) is handled in accordance with federal and state privacy regulations. Our clinical practices, record-keeping, and electronic communications involving PHI adhere to HIPAA's Privacy Rule and Security Rule.

For detailed information about how we protect your health information, please contact our office directly to request a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmitted through our website
• Secure, HIPAA-compliant systems for storing health information
• Access controls limiting who can view personal data
• Regular security assessments and updates

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and regulatory obligations.
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing of your personal information.
• Data portability: Request transfer of your information in a structured, commonly used format.
• Withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for data processing where we rely on consent.
• Opt out of sales: You have the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell your data).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by MCS Counseling Group. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will post the updated version on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• MCS Counseling Group
• 360-698-5883
• admin@mcscounseling.org
• 3888 Randall Way NW, Suite 201, Silverdale, WA 98338