Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 05/22/2025

Empowered Perspectives Counseling (“EPC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, www.EmpoweredPerspectivesCounseling.com, in accordance with applicable Florida state laws and federal privacy regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and Florida Statute § 456.057.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide - When you contact us through our website, email, or phone, you may provide:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- General message content (please do not include sensitive health information)
Automatically Collected Information - We may collect certain information automatically for analytics purposes, including:
- IP address
- Browser and device type
- Pages visited and time spent
- Referring websites

We do not link this information to your identity.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Respond to inquiries or appointment requests
Provide requested services
Communicate updates or resources related to counseling services
Maintain and improve our website

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

3. HIPAA and Florida Confidentiality Laws

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, EPC follows strict privacy standards:

All client records and communications are confidential under Florida Statute § 456.057
We comply with HIPAA to protect your Protected Health Information (PHI)
We only release information with your written authorization, unless legally required (e.g., safety concerns, abuse, court orders)

Note: Please do not include PHI in emails or website contact forms.

4. Cookies and Analytics

We may use cookies or analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to improve website performance and understand user traffic. You can manage cookie preferences in your browser settings.

5. Third-Party Websites

Our site may link to third-party services such as Psychology Today or Google Maps. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their policies.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your data. However, internet communications are not entirely secure, and we recommend caution when submitting information online.

7. Your Rights (Florida Residents)

As a Florida resident, you have the right to:

Request access to your records
Ask for corrections to your records
Withdraw consent for future communications
File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

9. Contact Information

If you have questions about this policy or how your information is handled, please contact:

Empowered Perspectives Counseling (EPC)

Nicha M. Stenberg-Johnson, LMHC

Phone: 813-485-4578

Email: Nicha@EmpoweredPerspectivesCounseling.com