Policies

Lauren Spinella, NJ Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

License #: 37PC00699100

Policies Effective Date: 7/2020
Business Name: Peaceful Path Counseling
Website: www.peacefulpathcounselingnj.com

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

*Our website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram) are for informational purposes only, they are not medical advice, or intended to advise, assess, diagnose, or treat any condition. Following and/or engaging in our social media in no way establishes a client-therapist relationship. Private/direct messages and comments via social media will not be responded to. 

*Please be aware that if you're a current or former client following, liking, commenting, etc. on social media, you are potentially compromising your confidentiality and privacy. All social media is public for anyone to see. Please contact us via phone or email, as we generally cannot respond to social media direct messages. We cannot follow back any clients to protect your confidentiality and our boundaries. 

Privacy & Confidentiality Policy

1. Introduction

Peaceful Path Counseling is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal information. This Privacy & Confidentiality Policy explains how information is collected, used, and safeguarded when you visit this website or engage in services.

This policy is designed to be in accordance with applicable federal and New Jersey laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

2. Information We Collect

a. Personal Information You Provide
We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide through:

• Contact forms

• Appointment requests

• Email or phone communication

This information may include your name, email address, phone number, and any details you choose to share.

b. Protected Health Information (PHI)
If you become a client, we may collect health-related information (Protected Health Information, or PHI) necessary to provide treatment, coordinate care, and process billing. This information is protected under HIPAA.

c. Automatically Collected Information
When you visit the website, certain information may be collected automatically, such as:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Pages visited

• Time spent on the site

This information is used for website functionality and improvement.

3. How Your Information Is Used

Your information may be used to:

• Respond to inquiries or requests

• Schedule and manage appointments

• Provide therapeutic services

• Maintain clinical records in compliance with legal and ethical standards

• Improve website functionality and user experience

• Communicate important updates

Your information will never be sold or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

4. HIPAA Notice & Use of PHI

As a healthcare provider, Peaceful Path Counseling complies with HIPAA regulations regarding the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI).

If you become a client, your PHI may be used and disclosed for:

• Treatment (e.g., providing therapy services)

• Payment (e.g., billing and insurance claims, if applicable)

• Healthcare operations (e.g., administrative and quality improvement purposes)

You will receive a separate Notice of Privacy Practices upon becoming a client, which outlines your rights under HIPAA in more detail. Please note that your use of this website, reaching out to inquire about services, and online communicaation does NOT establish a client-therapist relationships. You are only a client of Peaceful Path Counseling/Lauren Spinella LPC once you have completed an intake assessment and are accepted as a therapy client., 

5. Confidentiality of Therapy Services (New Jersey Law)

In addition to HIPAA, confidentiality is protected under New Jersey law and professional ethical standards.

Information shared in therapy is kept confidential except in the following circumstances:

• When there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or others

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult (mandatory reporting laws)

• Court order, subpoena, or other legal requirement

• When you provide written authorization for release of information

New Jersey law may provide additional protections or requirements regarding mental health records, which will be reviewed with you during informed consent. Lauren Spinella LPC is a mandated reporter, meaning she is legally required to report any and all reasonable suspicions of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to authorities (the Division of Child Protection and Permanency [DCPP] and/or local law enforcement).

6. Record Keeping & Retention (New Jersey Compliance)

Clinical records are maintained in accordance with New Jersey state regulations and professional licensing requirements.

• Records are stored securely (electronically and/or physically)

• Records are retained for the minimum period required by New Jersey law (typically at least 7 years after the last date of service, or longer for minors)

• After the retention period, records are securely destroyed

7. Electronic Communication & Security

Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are used to protect your information in compliance with HIPAA.

However, please note:

• Standard email and website forms may not be fully secure or HIPAA-compliant

• Communication through these channels carries some risk

• You are encouraged to avoid sharing sensitive health information electronically unless using a secure platform

For urgent concerns, please call emergency services or dial 911.

8. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

This website may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• Enhance user experience

• Analyze website traffic

• Improve functionality

You can adjust your browser settings to disable cookies if preferred.

9. Third-Party Services

This website may use third-party services (such as scheduling systems, electronic health record platforms, or analytics tools).

When applicable, HIPAA-compliant vendors are used and Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) are maintained as required.

Please note that third-party platforms operate under their own privacy policies.

10. Your Rights (HIPAA & New Jersey)

You have the right to:

• Access and request copies of your records

• Request corrections or amendments to your information

• Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures

• Request confidential communication methods

• Withdraw consent for communication (where applicable)

• File a complaint without fear of retaliation

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.

11. Children’s Privacy

This website/Peaceful Path Counseling social media accounts are not intended for children under the age of 18. It is a parent's responsibility to monitor the internet and social media use of their child. Personal information from children is not knowingly collected without parental consent.

For minor clients, parents/guardians have rights to access records as permitted by New Jersey law, with certain limitations related to confidentiality in treatment.

12. Updates to This Policy

This policy may be updated periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy & Confidentiality Policy or your rights, please contact:

Peaceful Path Counseling, 201-228-0324
lauren@peacefulpathcounselingnj.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

Disclaimer

This website content is for informational purposes only and does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Confidentiality protections apply only after a formal client relationship has been established, and informed consents and intake process has been completed.

INFORMATION ON YOUR RIGHTS

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.

What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?

When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.

“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance Billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.

“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care—like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in- network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.

You are protected from balance billing for:

Emergency services

If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.

Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center

When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.

If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you, unless you give written consent and give up your protections.

You’re never required to give up your protections from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.

When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections:

• You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). 

Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.

• Your health plan generally must:

o Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in

advance (prior authorization).

o Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.

o Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an

in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of

benefits.

o Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services

toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers 

Call the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.

Or contact the applicable NJ Consumer Assistance Program: https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Consumer-Assistance-Grants/nj 

Visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises and https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/no-surprises-act for more information about your rights under federal law