Effective Date: June 1, 2025

Achieving Joy ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit www.achievingjoy.com or interact with our services. Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of this website.

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1. Information We Collect

Information you provide directly

We may collect personal information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Complete our intake or appointment request form

• Subscribe to our newsletter or mailing list

• Contact us via our website contact form, phone, or email

• Register for events, retreats, or programs

This may include your name, email address, phone number, preferred contact times, insurance information, and information about the type of services you are seeking.

Information collected automatically

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies, including your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on the site. This information is used to improve website functionality and user experience.

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2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to appointment requests and inquiries

• Schedule and coordinate services

• Send newsletters, event announcements, and practice updates (only with your consent)

• Improve our website and service offerings

• Comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations
   

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• With service providers who assist in operating our website or conducting our business, under confidentiality agreements

• When required by law, subpoena, or other legal process

• To protect the rights, safety, or property of Achieving Joy, our clients, or others

Please note: Any health information shared in connection with therapy services is governed separately by our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, not this policy.

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4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies to enhance your experience. You may adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies; however, some features of the site may not function properly without them. If we use third-party analytics (such as Google Analytics), it operates under its own privacy terms.

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5. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including our scheduling platform (ClientSecure/SpAware). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their policies separately.

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6. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

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7. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us so we can delete it.

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8. Your Choices

You may opt out of marketing emails at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or contacting us directly. You may also request access to or deletion of the personal information we hold about you, subject to applicable law.

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9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of the website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

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10. Contact Us

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

Achieving Joy

Website: www.achievingjoy.com

Phone: (301) 541-3225

Email: schedule@achievingjoy.com

Address: 

700 Tech Center Suite 200-84
Newport News, VA 23606

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Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: June 1, 2025

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THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

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Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Achieving Joy is committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of your protected health information (PHI). We are required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to abide by the terms of this notice.

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How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

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Treatment

We may use and share your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your mental health treatment and related services. For example, we may share information with other treating clinicians or specialists involved in your care, with your written authorization when applicable.

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Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services. For example, we may submit billing information to your insurance carrier to receive reimbursement for sessions you attend.

Health care operations

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We may use and disclose your health information for internal operations including quality improvement, training, and administrative functions necessary to run our practice.

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Other permitted disclosures

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We may also disclose your information without your authorization in the following circumstances:

• As required by law, including mandatory reporting obligations

• To avert a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety, or the safety of others

• To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence as required by Maryland law

• For public health activities as authorized by law

• In response to a court order, subpoena, or legal process

• To the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for compliance purposes

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Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

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We will not use or disclose your health information for the following purposes without your written authorization:

• Psychotherapy notes (maintained separately and afforded heightened protection)

• Marketing purposes

• Sale of your health information

• Most other uses and disclosures not described in this notice

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You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing, except where we have already acted in reliance on it.

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Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

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Right to access

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information maintained in our records. Requests must be made in writing. We may charge a reasonable fee for copies.

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Right to amend

You may request that we amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny the request under certain circumstances and will explain any denial in writing.

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Right to an accounting of disclosures

You may request a list of disclosures we have made of your health information, other than for treatment, payment, or health care operations.

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Right to request restrictions

You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your health information. We are not required to agree to all requests, but we will comply with any restriction agreed to in writing.

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Right to confidential communications

You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location (e.g., contact you only by email or at a particular phone number).

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Right to a paper copy of this notice

You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have received it electronically.

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Our Duties

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information, to provide you with this notice, and to notify you in the event of a breach of your unsecured health information.

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Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

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To file a complaint with us, contact:

Achieving Joy

Website: www.achievingjoy.com

Phone: (301) 541-3225

Email: schedule@achievingjoy.com

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To file a complaint with HHS: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints

Changes to This Notice We reserve the right to change this notice at any time. A revised notice will apply to health information we already hold as well as new information. The current notice will always be posted on our website and available upon request.