Privacy Policy

Page Title

Effective Date: January 2025

At Empowering Oasis, we are committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of the information you share with us. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal information in accordance with federal and Ohio state laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the regulations set forth by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us, including but not limited to:

Personal Identifying Information: Your name, address, phone number, email, and other contact details.
Health Information: Medical and mental health history, diagnoses, treatment plans, and therapy session notes.
Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address, insurance information (if applicable).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to provide you with quality mental health therapy services, including but not limited to:

Scheduling and managing appointments
Communicating with you regarding your treatment
Billing and payment processing
Complying with legal and regulatory requirements, including those set forth by the CSWMFT Board, HIPAA, and other applicable laws

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We are committed to keeping your information private and secure. However, there are situations where we may need to share or disclose your personal information, including:

With Your Consent: We will only share your information with others if you provide written consent, such as sharing information with another healthcare provider or family member.
For Treatment: We may share your information with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment, as required or permitted by law.
For Billing: We may share your insurance and billing information with third-party payers or billing companies to process payments for services rendered.
For Legal or Compliance Purposes: We may disclose your information as required by law or in response to legal proceedings, including subpoenas or court orders. We may also share information for reasons related to the health and safety of yourself or others, as required by law.

4. Your Rights Regarding Your Information

Under HIPAA and Ohio state law, you have the following rights regarding your personal and health information:

Right to Access: You have the right to request copies of your health records and information we have about you.
Right to Correct Information: You have the right to request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete information in your records.
Right to Confidentiality: We will maintain the confidentiality of your information unless required or permitted by law to disclose it.
Right to Request Restrictions: You may request restrictions on the use or disclosure of your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

5. Data Security

We take the security of your personal and health information seriously. We employ a range of physical, administrative, and technical measures to safeguard your data, including:

Encryption of sensitive data
Secure methods of storing health records
Restricted access to confidential information

6. Retention of Your Information

We retain your personal and health information for the duration required by law or for as long as it is necessary to provide you with treatment and services. After this period, your information will be securely destroyed or anonymized.

7. Third-Party Services

We may use third-party services, such as online scheduling platforms or billing software, to manage aspects of your therapy services. These third parties are obligated to comply with privacy regulations and may only use your information as necessary to provide their services.

8. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18 without proper parental consent. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will take steps to delete it.

9. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with the revised date. We encourage you to periodically review this policy to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your rights regarding your personal information, please contact us at:

Phone: 740-971-0678

Fax: 614-379-0105

scheduletoday@empoweringoasis.org

Westerville Office:

190 South State Street

Westerville, Ohio 43081

Important Legal Disclaimers:

HIPAA Compliance: This practice is fully HIPAA compliant and follows all privacy and security regulations outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
CSWMFT Compliance: We comply with the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board’s rules and regulations regarding the protection of client information.