Privacy Policy
Last Updated: April 25, 2025
Introduction
Bridges of the Mind (“We”, “Us”, “Our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data, particularly when it comes to your mental health information. This privacy policy will inform you how we look after your personal data when you visit our website bridgesofthemind.com (regardless of where you visit it from) and tell you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you.
1. Purpose of this privacy policy
This privacy policy aims to give you information on how Bridges of the Mind collects and processes your personal data through your use of this website, including any data you may provide through this website when you sign up for our services, fill out contact forms, or otherwise interact with our website.
2. The data we collect about you
We may collect, use, and store different kinds of personal data about you, which we have grouped as follows:
Personal Information
- Identity Data includes first name, last name, or similar identifier.
- Contact Data includes address, email address, and telephone numbers.
Protected Health Information (PHI)
As a mental health healthcare provider, we may collect protected health information defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This includes information related to:
- Your mental health condition
- Treatment plans
- Medical history
- Payment information
Technical Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and operating system
- Cookies and tracking technologies
- Usage patterns
3. How is your personal data collected?
We use different methods to collect data from and about you, including through:
- Direct interactions. You may give us your identity and contact information by filling in forms or by corresponding with us by post, phone, email, or otherwise. This includes personal data you provide when you:
- Complete forms on our website
- Register for services
- Sign up for newsletters
- Contact us via email, phone, or other communication channels
4. How we use your personal data
We will only use your personal data when the law allows us to. Most commonly, we will use your personal data in the following circumstances:
- Where we need to perform the contract we are about to enter into or have entered into with you
- Where it is necessary for our legitimate interests (or those of a third party) and your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests
- Where we need to comply with a legal obligation
We use your personal information and PHI for the following purposes:
- To provide mental health services
- To communicate with you about appointments and services
- To improve our website and services
- To process payments
- To comply with legal obligations
Marketing and Promotional Messages
We may use your Identity and Contact Data to determine what we think you may want or need, or what may interest you. This is how we decide which services and offers may be relevant to you.
If you have requested information from us and have not opted out of receiving marketing communications, you will receive them.
Unsubscribe Instructions
You can ask us to stop sending you marketing messages by following the opt-out links on any marketing message or by contacting us at any time.
If you opt out of receiving these marketing messages, this will not apply to personal data provided to us as a result of a service purchase, service experience, or other transactions.
Disclosure of Your Information
We may share your information with:
- Healthcare professionals involved in your care
- Third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and services
- Legal and regulatory authorities, when required by law
All third parties with whom we share your information are required to protect your information in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
5. Data Security
We have implemented appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data and PHI from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorized way, altered, or disclosed. These measures include:
- Encryption of data
- Secure networks
- Access control systems
- Staff training
6. Data Retention
We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which we collected it, including satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
7. Your Legal Rights
Under certain circumstances, you have rights under data protection laws concerning your personal data, including:
- Right to access your information
- Right to correct inaccurate information
- Right to delete your information
- Right to restrict processing of your personal data
- Right to data portability
- Right to object to processing
- Right to withdraw consent
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section.
Special Provisions for Mental Health Information
Mental health information receives special protections under HIPAA and state laws. Your psychotherapy notes are kept separate from your general medical record and receive additional protection. We only disclose psychotherapy notes with your explicit authorization, except in limited circumstances as required by law.
8. SMS Consent
If you provide your phone number for SMS communication, your consent will not be shared with third parties for marketing purposes. Any phone numbers collected for SMS consent will solely be used for the intended communication and will not be disclosed to other companies.
9. Opt-Out Options
You have the choice to opt-out of:
- Marketing communications
- Non-essential cookies
- Sharing your information with third parties for marketing purposes
To opt-out, please follow the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or contact us directly.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy and Your Duty to Inform Us of Changes
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. An updated “Last Updated” date at the top of this Privacy Policy will indicate the updated version. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
Please keep us informed if your personal data changes during your relationship with us.
11. Contact Details
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Bridges of the Mind
2424 Arden Way #8
Sacramento, CA 95825
Email: privacy@bridgesofthemind.com
Phone: 530-302-5791
You can also contact us via the contact form on our website.
12. Notice of Privacy Practices
As required by HIPAA, we maintain a separate Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) that provides a more detailed explanation of how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), your rights regarding your PHI, and our legal duties and privacy practices. Our NPP is available on our website, at our facility, and will be provided to you at your first appointment.
13. Special Provisions Required by HIPAA
Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request an accounting of the disclosures of your PHI that we have made to others, upon your request.
Minimum Necessary Standard
We take reasonable steps to limit the use or disclosure of, and requests for, protected health information to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.
Breach Notification
We will notify you in the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI as required by HIPAA regulations.
State-Specific Requirements
State laws that provide greater privacy protections or give individuals greater access to their own PHI remain in effect alongside HIPAA requirements. We comply with all applicable state laws regarding mental health records privacy that may provide additional protections beyond HIPAA.
Contact Us Page:
- By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Bridges of the Mind Psychological Services, Inc. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.
Terms and Conditions for Bridges of the Mind
Last Updated: April 25, 2025
1. Acceptance of the Terms and Conditions
By accessing and using the Bridges of the Mind website located at https://bridgesofthemind.com (“the Website”), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Website.
2. Changes to the Terms and Conditions
Bridges of the Mind may modify these Terms at any time, and such modification will be effective immediately upon posting on the Website. Your continued use of the Website following the posting of any changes to the Terms indicates your acceptance of those changes.
3. Privacy Policy
Please refer to our Privacy Policy, available at https://bridgesofthemind.com/privacy-policy, for information on how we collect, use, and disclose your personal information. Our Privacy Policy includes specific provisions addressing the protection of your protected health information (PHI) as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
4. Protected Health Information
Any individually identifiable health information related to your past, present, or future mental health condition, treatment for the condition, or payment for treatment is protected by HIPAA and applicable California state laws. We maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the privacy and security of your protected health information when you use our website.
5. No Medical Advice
The information provided on the Website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, mental health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.
6. Telemedicine and Online Services
If you use our telemedicine or online mental health services:
- a) You acknowledge that online communications have inherent privacy risks, and while we implement HIPAA-compliant security measures, no system can guarantee 100% security.
- b) You understand that state law may restrict certain mental health services that can be provided via telemedicine.
- c) You agree that in case of emergency, you will seek immediate in-person assistance by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room.
7. Accessibility and ADA Compliance
Bridges of the Mind is committed to ensuring the Website is accessible to people with disabilities. We are continuously working on improving and updating the Website to make it as accessible as possible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Despite our ongoing efforts, there may be some content, features, or functionalities that are not fully accessible. If you encounter any difficulty accessing or using the Website, please contact us, and we will make reasonable efforts to address the issue promptly.
8. Disclaimer
All information provided on the Website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical or mental health advice or a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified mental health professional. Bridges of the Mind disclaims all liability for actions taken or not taken based on any content on this site.
9. Limitation of Liability
Bridges of the Mind will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the Website, or from any actions we take or fail to take as a result of communications you send to us.
10. California Privacy Rights
California residents have specific rights regarding their personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA). These rights include the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete personal information, the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising these rights. For more information about your California privacy rights, please review our Privacy Policy.
11. Duty to Warn and Mandatory Reporting
In accordance with California law, mental health professionals may have a duty to warn appropriate parties if a patient communicates a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim. Additionally, we are mandated reporters of suspected child, elder, and dependent adult abuse. These exceptions to confidentiality are permitted under HIPAA and required by California law.
12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of the state of California, in which Bridges of the Mind is located, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
13. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Bridges of the Mind, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, from and against any claims, actions or demands, including without limitation reasonable legal and accounting fees, alleging or resulting from your use of the Website or your breach of these Terms.
14. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the Terms will otherwise remain in full force and effect and enforceable.
15. Contact Information
For any questions about these Terms, please contact us:
Bridges of the Mind
2424 Arden Way #8
Sacramento, CA 95825
Email: info@bridgesofthemind.com
Phone: 530-302-5791