privacy policy

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Deirdre D. Forbes, Therapy with Meaning
Website: therapywithmeaning.com

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION AND WEBSITE DATA MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS IT. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

I. MY PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION

I understand that health information about you and your care is personal. I am committed to protecting your health information and your privacy.

I create a record of the care and services you receive from me through Therapy with Meaning. This record is necessary to provide quality care and comply with legal requirements.

This notice applies to all records of your care and interactions with my practice, including information collected through my website, therapywithmeaning.com.

I am required by law to:

  • Ensure that protected health information (“PHI”) that identifies you is kept private

  • Provide you with this Notice of my legal duties and privacy practices

  • Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect

I reserve the right to change this Notice at any time. Updates will apply to all information I maintain and will be available on my website and upon request.

II. HOW I MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION

I may use and disclose your health information in the following ways:

Treatment

To provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care.

Payment

To process payments for services rendered, if applicable.

Health Care Operations

For administrative, quality assurance, licensing, and business management purposes.

Lawsuits and Disputes

If you are involved in legal proceedings, I may disclose health information in response to court orders, subpoenas, or lawful processes, with appropriate safeguards.

III. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION

Psychotherapy Notes

I maintain psychotherapy notes as defined under HIPAA. These require your written Authorization for use or disclosure except in limited circumstances, including:

  • Treatment use by me

  • Training or supervision

  • Legal defense

  • Government oversight

  • Legal requirements

  • Preventing serious threats to safety

Marketing

I will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes without your explicit authorization.

Sale of PHI

I do not sell your PHI.

IV. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES DO NOT REQUIRE AUTHORIZATION

I may use or disclose your PHI without authorization when permitted or required by law, including:

  • Legal compliance

  • Public health and safety reporting

  • Abuse or neglect reporting

  • Health oversight activities

  • Judicial and administrative proceedings

  • Law enforcement purposes

  • Coroners or medical examiners

  • Research (in accordance with legal standards)

  • Workers’ compensation

Appointment Reminders and Services

I may contact you to remind you of appointments or provide information about services or treatment options.

V. WEBSITE PRIVACY PRACTICES

In addition to health information, my website may collect limited personal and technical data.

Information Collected

When you visit therapywithmeaning.com, the following may be collected:

  • Personal information you voluntarily provide (e.g., name, email, phone via contact forms)

  • Technical data (e.g., IP address, browser type, device information)

  • Usage data (pages visited, time spent on site)

Contact Forms and Communication

If you submit information through a contact form:

  • This information is used only to respond to your inquiry or schedule services

  • Submitting a form does not establish a therapist-client relationship

  • Please avoid sending sensitive health information through website forms

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The website may use cookies or similar technologies to:

  • Improve user experience

  • Analyze website traffic

  • Remember user preferences

You can disable cookies through your browser settings.

Analytics

The website may use third-party analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use the site. These tools collect non-identifying information and do not access your therapy records.

Third-Party Services

If the website links to external platforms (e.g., scheduling tools, telehealth platforms), those services have their own privacy policies. I am not responsible for their practices.

VI. DATA SECURITY

I take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. Use of the website is at your own risk.

VII. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PHI

You have the following rights:

  • Request limits on use/disclosure of your PHI

  • Request confidential communications

  • Access and obtain copies of your records

  • Request corrections to your records

  • Request an accounting of disclosures

  • Obtain a copy of this Notice

Requests must be made in writing where required, and responses will be provided within legally required timeframes.

VIII. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

This website is not intended for children under 13. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children through the website.

IX. CONTACT INFORMATION

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

Deirdre D. Forbes
Therapy with Meaning
Website: therapywithmeaning.com

Email: Deirdre@therapywithmeaning.com

X. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Privacy Policy is effective as of May 2026 and remains in effect until updated.

Therapy with Meaning ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or engage with our services. Please read this policy carefully. By using this website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

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