Privacy Policy

Families Forever Counseling (“we,” “us,” or “the practice”) is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors to our website and of our clients. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information submitted through this website. It does not replace the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices that governs our clinical records — that document is provided to clients at the start of services and is available on request.

Information You Provide Through This Website

When you submit our contact form, you choose what information to share with us. Typically this includes your name, email address, phone number, and a brief message describing what brings you to counseling. We ask that you do not include sensitive clinical, diagnostic, or insurance information in the contact form. Our website contact form is not an encrypted channel and is not appropriate for sharing protected health information. We will follow up by phone to gather any clinical details needed. When you submit a payment through our “Pay Your Bill” link, you are taken to a secure payment page hosted by Square. We do not collect, store, or have access to your credit card information through this website. Square processes the transaction directly. For questions about a charge, please contact Families Forever Counseling at 616.217.8612.

How We Use Your Information

Information you provide through the contact form is used only to respond to your inquiry, typically by phone within one to two business days. We do not share, sell, or rent this information to any third party. If you become a client of the practice, your clinical records are governed separately by our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices and Informed Consent documents.

Confidentiality of Client Information

Confidentiality is a core part of ethical counseling. For our clients, verbal communications, clinical records, and therapy notes are kept confidential, with the following limited exceptions required by law or professional ethics:

• Diagnosis and dates of service shared with a client's insurance company when billing insurance

• Mandated reporting of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse of children

• Mandated reporting of elder abuse or neglect

• Threats of suicide or homicide When the client signs a release of information Information needed for professional supervision or consultation Information released under the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices Other disclosures required by law

These exceptions are discussed in detail in our Informed Consent document, which every client reviews and signs before counseling begins.

Website Analytics and Cookies

We may use standard website analytics (such as Google Analytics) to understand how visitors find and use our site. This data is aggregated and does not personally identify you. You can opt out of analytics tracking through your browser settings or by using a browser extension such as Google's official opt-out tool.

Email Communication

Standard email is not a secure or encrypted form of communication. We ask that prospective and current clients not include detailed clinical information in email. For anything sensitive, please call us directly at 616.217.8612.

Children’s Privacy

This website is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through this site. Parents or guardians inquiring about counseling for a minor are welcome to contact us by phone.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top reflects the most recent revision.

In an Emergency

This website and our contact form are not monitored continuously. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. You may also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Families Forever Counseling

4829 East Beltline NE, Suite 303

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

616.217.8612

billing @familiesforevercounseling.com