Privacy Policy

Website Privacy Policy

Effective date: September 30,2026 Last updated: September 30, 2026

Empowering Counseling ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through [www.empoweringcounselingaz.com] (the "Site"), how we use it, and the choices you have.

Important: Website Privacy vs. Clinical Privacy

This policy covers information collected through the Site. It does not cover your clinical records or the information you share in therapy once you are a client. Those are protected under HIPAA, Arizona law, and professional ethics rules, and are described in our separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which you will receive at intake.

Please do not include detailed clinical or health information in website forms, emails, or text messages.

1. Information We Collect

Information you give us. When you fill out a contact form, request a consultation, book an appointment, join an email list, or contact us by email or text, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, preferred contact method, and any information you choose to include in your message.

Information collected automatically. When you visit the Site, we and our service providers may automatically collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, pages viewed, time spent on pages, referring website, and approximate location (city or region level). This is collected through cookies and similar technologies.

Information we do not intentionally collect. We do not ask for Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or detailed health histories through the Site. Payment and clinical intake information is handled through separate, secure systems after you become a client.

2. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to: respond to your inquiries and schedule consultations; provide and manage our services; send administrative messages and, if you opt in, newsletters or updates; operate, maintain, and improve the Site and understand how visitors use it; protect the Site from fraud and abuse; and comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use information from website inquiries to send you marketing you did not ask for.

3. Cookies and Analytics

The Site uses cookies and similar tools to make the Site work and to understand traffic. We may use analytics tools such as Google Analytics to see aggregate information about how visitors use the Site. You can control cookies through your browser settings, including blocking or deleting them, though some Site features may not work as expected. You can also opt out of Google Analytics using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

4. How We Share Information

We share information only as needed and only with:

Service providers who help us operate the Site and run the practice, such as website hosting, form and email tools, scheduling software, email marketing, and analytics providers [list specific vendors]. They may use your information only to perform services for us.
Legal and safety needs, when required by law, subpoena, or court order, or when necessary to protect someone's safety, as permitted by law and professional ethics.
Business transfers, if the practice is sold, merged, or closed, in which case we will handle records as required by Arizona law and professional standards.

We do not share your information for third parties' own marketing purposes.

5. Email and Text Communications

If you join our email list, you can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any message or by contacting us. If you agree to text messages, you can opt out by replying STOP. We do not share phone numbers collected for text messaging with third parties for their marketing.

6. Data Retention

We keep website inquiry information only as long as needed to respond to you, manage scheduling, and meet legal or business requirements. Clinical records are retained separately according to Arizona law and professional standards.

7. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information collected through the Site. No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please avoid sending sensitive personal or clinical details by email, text, or web form.

8. Your Choices and Rights

You may ask us to access, correct, or delete the personal information we have collected through the Site, or to stop sending you marketing messages, by contacting us at the address below. We will respond as required by applicable law. Certain information may need to be kept for legal or clinical record-keeping reasons.

Residents of some states have additional privacy rights under state law. [Attorney to confirm which state laws apply to your volume and audience. Arizona does not currently have a comprehensive consumer privacy statute, but you may receive visitors from other states.]

9. Children's Privacy

The Site is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

10. Third-Party Sites and Platforms

The Site may link to third-party sites and platforms, including telehealth, scheduling, payment, and social media services. Their privacy practices are their own, and we encourage you to review their policies. Telehealth sessions are conducted through Simple Practice, a HIPAA-compliant platform; its use is described in your informed consent paperwork.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date above shows the most recent revision. Material changes will be noted on the Site.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to make a privacy request:

Empowering Counseling Bianca Bennett, Licensed Associate Counselor Phoenix, Arizona Email: info@empoweringcounselingaz.com