Last Updated: October 18, 2025

At Tranquil Paths Counseling & Consulting, your privacy, trust, and dignity are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to safeguarding your personal information with the highest ethical and legal standards, in full compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. This policy outlines how we collect, use, protect, and disclose your information in our clinical, consulting, and online services.

1. Our Commitment to Confidentiality

Your communications with our counselors, coaches, or consultants are strictly confidential. We will not disclose your personal or health information without your written consent, except as required by law or outlined in this policy. All members of our team—including clinicians, interns, and administrative staff—are bound by HIPAA, ACA ethical standards, and applicable state and federal regulations to uphold your privacy.

2. Information We Collect

To provide personalized and effective care, we may collect:

Personal Identifiers: Name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address.

Health Information: Relevant mental health, medical, or treatment-related details.

Payment Information: Billing or insurance details, if applicable.

Electronic Communications: Information shared via our secure website forms, HIPAA-compliant email, or telehealth platforms.

Website Analytics: Non-identifiable data (e.g., cookies, site usage patterns) to enhance user experience, not linked to your protected health information (PHI).

3. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used exclusively to deliver high-quality care and ensure smooth operations, including:

Providing counseling, coaching, or consulting services.

Coordinating care with other providers, with your written consent.

Managing billing, scheduling, and administrative tasks.

Meeting legal, ethical, or licensing requirements.

Communicating securely about appointments, care plans, or resources.

4. How We Protect Your Information

We employ robust safeguards to ensure your data remains secure:

Encryption: HIPAA-compliant electronic health records and telehealth platforms.

Access Controls: Password-protected systems with restricted employee access.

Secure Disposal: Shredding of physical records and secure deletion of digital data.

Training: Ongoing staff education on privacy, security, and ethical standards.

We take every reasonable measure to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

5. Limits to Confidentiality

In rare cases, we may be legally or ethically required to disclose information without your consent, including:

Imminent risk of harm to yourself or others.

Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult.

Court-ordered subpoenas or legal mandates.

Public health or mandatory reporting requirements.

Whenever possible, we will notify you before any such disclosure.

6. Your Rights Under HIPAA

You have the following rights regarding your personal and health information:

Access: Request to view or obtain copies of your records.

Amend: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete records.

Restrict: Request limits on how your information is used or shared.

Accounting: Receive a list of certain disclosures made without your authorization.

Communication Preferences: Choose how we contact you (e.g., phone, email, mail).

File a Complaint: Address concerns about privacy violations without fear of retaliation.

To exercise these rights, submit a written request to our Privacy Officer. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights at www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.

7. Communication and Technology

We prioritize secure, accessible communication:

We use HIPAA-compliant email, telehealth, and record-keeping systems.

Non-secure methods (e.g., standard email or text) carry inherent risks; you may opt out of these at any time.

Our team will work with you to ensure communication aligns with your privacy preferences.

8. Website and Online Data

Our website (www.MyTranquilPaths.com) provides educational and informational resources. Submitting information via our website does not establish a counselor-client relationship.

We do not sell, share, or rent your data to third parties for marketing.

Non-identifiable analytics (e.g., cookies) may be used to improve site functionality but do not collect PHI.

9. Record Retention and Disposal

Client records are securely retained for at least seven years after services end (or longer for minors, per state law). After this period, records are permanently destroyed using secure methods to protect your privacy.

10. Your Consent

By engaging our services, using our website, or providing personal information, you consent to the collection, use, and protection of your information as described in this policy.

11. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your HIPAA rights, please contact:

Lindsay Rucker
Tranquil Paths Counseling & Consulting
(770) 742-8832
[email protected]
www.MyTranquilPaths.com

At Tranquil Paths Counseling & Consulting, your privacy is a sacred trust. We are honored to safeguard your story with compassion, integrity, and unwavering care.