The Vigor Within Mental Health Counseling, PLLC

WEBSITE PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: September 12, 2025 | Last Updated: May 3, 2026

Welcome to The Vigor Within Mental Health Counseling, PLLC ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and the security of any information you share when visiting our website at www.thevigorwithin.com. (the "Website"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding that information.

This policy applies to website visitors only. If you are a therapy client, please also review our separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which governs how we handle your Protected Health Information (PHI).

2.1 Information You Provide Voluntarily

When you use our Website, you may provide us with:

• Contact form submissions (name, email address, phone number, message)

• Appointment scheduling requests

• Email newsletter sign-ups

• Any other information you choose to submit

2.2  Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and general geographic location

• Browser type and version

• Pages visited and time spent on each page

• Referring website or search terms

• Device type and operating system

• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 6)

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries and contact form submissions

• Schedule and confirm appointments

• Send administrative communications (e.g., appointment reminders)

• Improve our Website's functionality and user experience

• Comply with applicable laws and professional obligations

• Protect the security and integrity of our Website

We do not use your information for advertising or sell it to third parties.

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

• Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our Website (e.g., website hosting, scheduling software, email services). These vendors are contractually bound to keep your information confidential.

• Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, or government authority.

• Safety: If we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of any person or to address fraud or security concerns.

Our Website contact forms are not encrypted healthcare communication channels. Please do not submit sensitive health information, diagnoses, or treatment details through our general contact form. If you are an existing client, please use the secure client portal provided to you.

Initial inquiries about scheduling a first appointment are acceptable via our contact form.

6.1 What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help us understand how visitors use our site.

6.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Website to function properly.

• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand visitor behavior (e.g., Google Analytics). These are anonymized and do not identify you personally.

• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences to improve your experience.

6.3 Your Cookie Choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality. You may also opt out of Google Analytics at: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., Psychology Today, telehealth platforms). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

We implement reasonable technical and administrative measures to protect the information we collect, including SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission. However, no method of Internet transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We retain contact form submissions and related communications for 10 years, after which they are securely deleted unless a client relationship has been established.

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you

• Request correction of inaccurate information

• Request deletion of your information

• Opt out of marketing communications (if applicable)

• California residents: Please see Section 12 for additional rights under the CCPA

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: thevigorwithinmhcpllc@gmail.com.

Our Website is not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete it, and the right to opt out of its sale (we do not sell personal information). To submit a CCPA request, contact us at thevigorwithinmhcpllc@gmail.com. 

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new policy.

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

Cashmere L. James, LMHC-D, NCC, Owner

The Vigor Within Mental Health Counseling, PLLC

418 Broadway, STE N

Albany, NY 12207

Phone: 347-891-3778

Email: thevigorwithinmhcpllc@gmail.com

Website: www.thevigorwithin.com