Privacy Policy and Website Privacy Notice
Effective Date: June 25, 2026
Our Commitment to Privacy
LMV Counseling is committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal and protected health information. We comply with HIPAA, applicable North Carolina law, and when applicable, 42 CFR Part 2.
Definitions
Protected Health Information (PHI) includes information that identifies you and relates to your physical or mental health, health care, or payment for health care. Personal Information includes contact and demographic information you voluntarily provide. Certain Substance Use Disorder records receive additional protections under 42 CFR Part 2.
Information We Collect
We collect personal information, protected health information, website usage information, and information submitted through website forms, consultation requests, scheduling requests, phone calls, emails, and text messages.
Website Forms
Information submitted through our website or intake forms is used only to respond to your inquiry, determine whether our services are appropriate, assist with therapist matching, schedule appointments, verify insurance, or provide requested services.
Cookies and Analytics
Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to improve performance, security, and user experience. Analytics data is used in aggregate to understand website usage and is not intentionally used to disclose PHI for advertising purposes.
How We Use Information
We use information to provide care, schedule appointments, verify insurance, process payments, communicate with you, improve services, maintain security, comply with law, and operate our practice.
Artificial Intelligence and Automated Technologies
LMV Counseling may use HIPAA-compliant AI and automated technologies to assist with answering general questions, scheduling appointments, appointment reminders, therapist matching, administrative documentation, and clinical documentation support. AI assists our staff but does not replace licensed clinical judgment. Clinical decisions are always made or supervised by qualified healthcare professionals. AI vendors with access to PHI are required to comply with HIPAA through appropriate safeguards.
Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations
We may use and disclose PHI for treatment, payment, and health care operations as permitted by HIPAA.
Uses Requiring Authorization
Your written authorization is required for uses not otherwise permitted by law, including most disclosures of psychotherapy notes, marketing, and sale of PHI.
Special Protections for Substance Use Disorder Records
When applicable, 42 CFR Part 2 provides additional confidentiality protections. A single written consent may authorize future uses for treatment, payment, and health care operations as permitted by law. You may revoke consent subject to applicable law. Part 2 protected information may not be used to initiate or support legal proceedings against you except as authorized by law.
Uses Required or Permitted by Law
We may disclose PHI without authorization when required or permitted by law, including reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, protecting against a serious and imminent threat to yourself or others, complying with valid court orders or other legal requirements, and certain public health reporting requirements. Whenever possible, disclosures are limited to the minimum information necessary.
NC HealthConnex
LMV Counseling participates in NC HealthConnex as required by applicable North Carolina law and submit certain Protected Health Information to NC HealthConnex when required.
If your services are funded by Medicaid, the State Health Plan, or other qualifying state-funded programs, submission of your information may be required by law even if you choose to opt out of information sharing.
Patients who wish to limit information sharing through NC HealthConnex may submit an opt-out request directly to the North Carolina Health Information Exchange Authority. Additional information is available at NCHealthConnex.gov.
SMS Privacy
By providing your mobile number you consent to receive healthcare-related text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP, END, or CANCEL to opt out. We do not share mobile contact information with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information may be shared with subcontractors in support services (e.g., customer service, scheduling, SMS delivery) under HIPAA-compliant agreements. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
Electronic Communications
Email and standard text messaging may not always be encrypted. Please avoid sending sensitive clinical information by unsecured email or text unless instructed by our office.
Data Security
We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards including encryption, secure systems, access controls, and HIPAA-compliant vendors.
Third-Party Service Providers
We use trusted vendors for electronic health records, scheduling, payment processing, secure communications, website hosting, analytics, AI tools, and administrative support. Business Associates that access PHI are contractually required to protect your information.
Data Retention
LMV Counseling retains records in accordance with applicable federal and North Carolina law and securely disposes of records when retention requirements have been satisfied.
Your Rights
You have the right to access, amend, request restrictions on, and receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your PHI, request confidential communications, receive a copy of this notice, and file a privacy complaint without retaliation.
How to Exercise Your Rights
Requests regarding your privacy rights may be submitted by contacting LMV Counseling at info@lmvcounseling.com or (910) 210-6160.
Changes to This Policy
We may revise this policy from time to time. The most current version will always be available on our website at lmvcounseling.com/privacy-practices.
Contact Information
LMV Counseling
Phone: (910) 210-6160
Email: info@lmvcounseling.com