Privacy Policy & Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: May 2026

Carmen Garcia Therapy is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices explains how information may be collected, used, stored, and protected when you visit this website, contact the practice, or engage in therapy services.

This website and practice are intended to comply with applicable federal and New York State privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Website Use & General Privacy

When you visit this website, certain information may be collected automatically through website analytics, cookies, or standard server logs. This may include:

  • Browser type

  • Device information

  • IP address

  • General geographic region

  • Pages visited on the site

  • Website usage activity

This information is used to help improve website functionality, user experience, and overall site performance.

Personal information voluntarily submitted through contact forms, scheduling requests, newsletter signups, or email communication may include:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Information you choose to share

Submitting information through this website does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

As a mental health provider, Carmen Garcia Therapy is legally required to protect the privacy and confidentiality of your Protected Health Information (PHI).

Protected Health Information may include:

  • Medical and mental health information

  • Treatment records

  • Appointment information

  • Billing and insurance information

  • Intake paperwork and clinical documentation

Your information is maintained using secure and HIPAA-compliant systems designed to safeguard your privacy.

How Your Information May Be Used

Protected Health Information may be used for purposes including:

  • Providing therapy services

  • Scheduling appointments

  • Processing payments

  • Insurance billing and reimbursement

  • Coordinating care when authorized

  • Administrative and operational purposes required to support treatment

Information will only be shared when necessary and permitted by law or with your written authorization unless otherwise required legally or ethically.

Confidentiality & Limits of Privacy

Therapy sessions are confidential. However, there are specific legal and ethical situations in which disclosure may be required, including:

  • Risk of serious harm to yourself or others

  • Suspected abuse or neglect involving children, elderly individuals, or vulnerable persons

  • Court orders or legal requirements

  • Certain insurance or billing requirements

These limitations to confidentiality will be discussed in greater detail during the informed consent process.

Telehealth Services

Telehealth sessions are conducted through secure HIPAA-compliant platforms. While reasonable efforts are made to protect confidentiality during virtual sessions, no electronic communication system can guarantee absolute security.

Clients participating in telehealth services are encouraged to:

  • Use a private and secure internet connection

  • Attend sessions in a confidential environment whenever possible

  • Protect access to their devices and personal accounts

Communication Policy

Email, text messaging, and website forms should not be used for emergencies or urgent mental health concerns.

Please note:

  • Communication through electronic methods may carry privacy risks

  • Response times may vary

  • Messages sent through this website are not continuously monitored

Carmen Garcia Therapy is not a crisis or emergency service provider.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 for immediate support.

For medical emergencies or situations involving immediate danger, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Payment & Billing Information

Payment information is securely processed through HIPAA-compliant third-party systems. Carmen Garcia Therapy does not directly store full payment card information on this website.

Accepted payment methods may include:

  • Credit/debit cards

  • HSA/FSA cards

Insurance & Out-of-Network Benefits

If applicable, limited information may be shared with insurance companies for billing, reimbursement, or claims processing purposes.

Clients using out-of-network benefits may choose to utilize third-party reimbursement support platforms such as Mentaya. Use of third-party platforms is subject to their own privacy policies and terms.

Client Rights

Clients may have the right to:

  • Request access to their records

  • Request corrections to personal information

  • Receive information about disclosures

  • Request limitations on certain uses of information

  • Request confidential communication methods

Certain legal and clinical limitations may apply under New York State and federal law.

New York State Notice

This practice operates in accordance with applicable New York State laws and professional ethical standards governing licensed mental health providers.

Clients located outside of New York should confirm eligibility for services prior to scheduling, as therapy services may be limited based on state licensing regulations.

Children & Minors

This website is not intended for children under the age of 13. Therapy services for minors may require parental or legal guardian consent in accordance with New York State law.

Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices may be updated periodically. Continued use of this website or services after updates constitutes acknowledgment of the revised policy.

Contact Information

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or your privacy rights, please contact:

Carmen Garcia Therapy
(332) 334-8197 
carmen@carmengarciatherapy.com