Privacy Policy

Inner Light Counseling & Wellness

Effective Date: July 5, 2025

Owner: Meghan Farina, MA, LPC

Practice Name: Inner Light Counseling & Wellness

Contact: meghan@innerlightcounselingpa.com | 412-206-6642

Introduction

Inner Light Counseling & Wellness (“Company,” “we,” or “us”) is a private counseling practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with all applicable federal and state laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Act, the No Surprises Act, the Pennsylvania Telehealth Act, and the ACA Code of Ethics.

By using our website or engaging our services, you consent to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use this Website.

Children Under Age 13

Our Website is not intended for children under 13. No one under 13 may provide information on this Website. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13 without verified parental consent, we will delete it immediately. If you believe we might have information from or about a child under 13, please email us at meghan@innerlightcounselingpa.com.

No Surprises Act (Good Faith Estimate)

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges for non-emergency healthcare services, including therapy. Upon request or scheduling, we will provide you with a written estimate of expected costs. This does not obligate you to receive services.

Pennsylvania Telehealth Act

Inner Light Counseling & Wellness provides telehealth services in compliance with the Pennsylvania Telehealth Act and applicable federal laws. We use secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms for video sessions. By using telehealth services, you consent to receive care electronically and acknowledge possible limits to privacy inherent to internet-based platforms.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide:

Name, email, phone number, and information you share via forms, scheduling tools, or email.

Automatically Collected Information:

We may use cookies, Google Analytics, pixels, and similar technologies to collect your IP address, browser type, pages viewed, time on site, and referring websites.

SMS & Mobile Data:

If you opt in to receive text messages (appointment reminders, administrative updates), we may collect your name, phone number, and carrier info. We never sell your mobile information.

How We Use Your Information

We use information to:

Deliver services and respond to your requests.
Schedule, bill, and manage appointments.
Improve our Website and services.
Comply with legal, ethical, and licensing obligations.

Cookies & Pixel

Like most websites, we use cookies and tracking pixels to understand how visitors use our site. We may allow trusted third parties (Google, Meta, LinkedIn) to place cookies for analytics or advertising.

Opt-Out:

You can control cookie preferences via your browser or opt out of behavioral ads using tools like the DAA WebChoices Tool or NAI Consumer Opt-Out Tool.

Third-Party Links

Our Website may link to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites.

Email & Electronic Communication

We use secure tools (Hushmail, iPlum) for scheduling and administrative matters. However, email and text are not fully secure for sensitive clinical content. By using email or web forms, you accept this risk. We recommend confidential matters stay within our HIPAA-secure client portal or in-session only.

Mobile Messaging

By contacting us via text, you agree to receive scheduling reminders and administrative notices. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out by replying STOP at any time.

We follow CTIA and CAN-SPAM compliance:

We never sell or share your mobile info for promotional purposes.
We use it only for the requested services (scheduling, billing, reminders).

Protected Health Information (PHI) Under HIPAA

When you become a client, we collect your PHI, which may include:

Name, address, phone, DOB, mental health history, treatment plans, and session notes.

We may use or share your PHI to:

Provide Treatment: Coordinate care with your consent.
Obtain Payment: Bill insurance or you directly.
Healthcare Operations: Internal administration, training, quality improvement.
Required by Law: Mandated reporting (child/elder abuse), duty to warn (threats to self/others), or court order.
With Written Authorization: For any other uses, we will get your written permission first.

Your Rights Under HIPAA

You have the right to:

Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures.
Request confidential communications by alternative means/locations.
Inspect and obtain copies of your records.
Request amendments to records you believe are incomplete or inaccurate.
Receive an accounting of certain disclosures.
File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

Record Retention (Pennsylvania Law)

We securely store client records for at least 7 years after your last session, or longer if required under Pennsylvania law. Records for minor clients are kept until at least age 21.

How We Protect Your Information

We use physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your information, including:

HIPAA-compliant practice management and billing systems.
Encrypted email where applicable.
Password-protected devices and secure file storage.
Shredding and secure disposal of paper records.

Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your data with:

HIPAA-compliant third-party service providers (e.g., practice management software, secure email/text tools).
Legal representatives or collection agencies to enforce agreements.
Courts or authorities when legally compelled.

Policy Changes

We may update this Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with the effective date.

Contact

If you have questions or wish to exercise your rights:

Meghan Farina, MA, LPC

Inner Light Counseling & Wellness

meghan@innerlightcounselingpa.com | 412-206-6642

If you are in crisis, please do not use this Website. Call 911 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 immediately.

Effective Date: July 5, 2025