Gentle Force Counseling Services ("Gentle Force," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals and families we serve. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit our website, contact us, schedule an appointment, or communicate with us by phone, email, or text message. Please read this policy carefully. By using our website or services, you agree to the practices described below.
We collect information in a few different ways: information you provide to us directly, information collected automatically when you use our website, and information we receive in the course of providing clinical services.
We use the information we collect to:
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your health information for marketing purposes without your written authorization.
If you provide your mobile phone number and opt in to receive text messages from Gentle Force Counseling Services — for example, appointment reminders, scheduling confirmations, or general communications — the following terms apply:
Consent: By providing your mobile number and opting in (via our website form, verbally, or in writing), you consent to receive text messages from Gentle Force Counseling Services related to appointments and client communications. Consent to receive texts is not a condition of receiving services.
Message Frequency: Message frequency varies based on your appointments and interactions with our practice.
Message and Data Rates: Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan.
Opting Out: You may opt out of text communications at any time by replying STOP to any message. You will receive one final message confirming your removal. Reply HELP for assistance, or contact us directly at 215-820-3235.
No Data Sharing for Marketing: Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. This information is used solely to facilitate SMS communications related to your care and is not sold, rented, or shared outside of Gentle Force Counseling Services and the service providers who help us deliver these messages (such as our texting/scheduling platform).
Text messages are not a secure or confidential method of communication and should not be used to share sensitive clinical details or information you consider urgent. If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
We do not share your personal or health information except as described below or as required by law:
We do not sell personal information, and — as noted above — SMS opt-in and consent data is never shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
As a healthcare provider, Gentle Force Counseling Services is required to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Our full Notice of Privacy Practices, provided to all clients at intake, describes in detail:
If you have not received a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices, please contact our office and we will provide one.
Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve functionality and understand how visitors use our site. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some parts of our website may not function properly if you do so.
We may use analytics tools to understand website traffic and usage patterns. This information is generally aggregated and does not identify you personally.
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. This includes secure storage of clinical records, restricted staff access to sensitive information, and secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms for scheduling and telehealth where applicable.
While we work to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted over the internet.
We retain client records, including health and billing information, for as long as necessary to provide services and as required by Pennsylvania law and applicable licensing board regulations. Website contact form submissions are retained only as long as needed to respond to your inquiry, unless you become a client, in which case retention follows our clinical records policy.
Depending on your relationship with us, you may have the right to:
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 13.
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, insurance carrier portals, or telehealth platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external site you visit.
Our website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children through our website without parental consent. Clinical services provided to minors, including IBHS and related programs, are conducted with appropriate parental/guardian consent and in accordance with applicable law.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when this policy was most recently revised. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us: