Effective Date: August 1, 2026

At EmpoweringU Counseling & Therapeutic Services, LLC, your privacy is our highest priority. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, protect, and use your personal information and Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable laws in Georgia and Florida.

1. Protected Health Information (PHI)

Under federal law, your Protected Health Information (PHI) includes details about your physical or mental health condition, the treatment you receive, and details regarding billing and payments for those services. We are legally bound to protect this information.

2. How We Collect & Use Your Information

We collect and use your personal information to deliver care and manage our private practice operations:

• Therapeutic Treatment: We document details of your therapy sessions and clinical assessments to manage your therapy care.
• Billing & Payments: We process credit card transactions or insurance claims securely to collect payments.
• Intake & Communication: Secure form submittals (such as SureForms) and scheduling platforms (such as Calendly) securely collect your name, email, phone, and state of residence to manage scheduling.

3. Confidentiality & Legal Disclosures

Communications between a client and a licensed therapist are legally confidential. We will not disclose your PHI without your written authorization, except in specific situations mandated by law:

• Imminent Threat: If there is clear evidence of a threat of harm to yourself or someone else.
• Abuse Reports: If there is reason to suspect child abuse, elderly abuse, or the abuse of a dependent adult.
• Legal Proceedings: In response to a valid court subpoena or legal order.

4. Secure Telehealth Data Security

We take administrative and technical security measures to protect your data:

• All telehealth virtual sessions are conducted via secure, end-to-end encrypted, HIPAA-compliant platforms.
• All client records, medical charts, and intake forms are stored securely in a password-protected, encrypted EHR (Electronic Health Record) system.

5. Client Rights

You have rights regarding your clinical records under HIPAA. You may request to:

• Inspect or copy your health and billing records.
• Request restrictions on how your health information is used or shared.
• Request amendments to your record if you believe details are inaccurate.

6. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please reach out to us at renita@empowerucounseling.com.