Privacy Policy

Lifebridge Counseling

Effective Date: November 11, 2026
Website: https://www.lifebridgecounseling.com

1. Introduction

Lifebridge Counseling ("Lifebridge," "we," "us," or "our") is operated by [Full Legal Name of Lifebridge LLC], an independently operated counseling organization providing mental health services in Virginia.

We are committed to respecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of individuals who visit our website, request appointments, submit referrals, or communicate with our organization.

This Privacy Policy describes how information is collected, used, disclosed, and protected through our website.

This policy applies to website interactions. Protected health information maintained in connection with counseling and treatment services may also be governed by our separate HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable federal and Virginia laws.

2. Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with our website, we may collect the following information.

Personal Information

First and last name
Email address
Telephone number
Contact preferences
Information voluntarily submitted through contact forms
Information provided when requesting appointments or services

Appointment and Referral Information

When requesting counseling services or submitting a referral, you may provide:

Patient or prospective client contact information
Preferred appointment or service location
Type of counseling services requested
Scheduling preferences
Referral source information
Other information necessary to coordinate services

Information submitted through appointment requests or referrals may contain sensitive health-related information.

Website Usage Information

Our website and its service providers may collect certain technical information, including:

IP address
Browser and device information
Operating system
Pages visited
Date and time of visits
Referral sources
Cookies and similar identifiers

The specific information collected depends on the website technologies in use and applicable consent settings.

3. How We Use Information

We may use information collected through our website to:

Respond to inquiries about counseling services.
Process appointment requests and referrals.
Communicate with prospective and existing clients.
Coordinate in-person and telehealth services.
Direct individuals to appropriate administrative or clinical staff.
Maintain website functionality and security.
Improve website accessibility and visitor experience.
Evaluate website performance where permitted.
Comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.

We do not use confidential patient treatment information for unrelated advertising purposes without appropriate authorization or another lawful basis.

4. Health Information and HIPAA

Lifebridge Counseling recognizes the sensitive nature of mental health information.

When Lifebridge acts as a HIPAA-covered healthcare provider, protected health information (PHI) is handled according to applicable HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules and other relevant confidentiality requirements.

PHI may include information concerning an individual's health condition, counseling services, treatment, payment, or other identifiable healthcare information.

The use and disclosure of PHI for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and other legally permitted purposes are governed by applicable law and our Notice of Privacy Practices.

This website Privacy Policy does not replace that Notice.

Individuals should consult the Notice of Privacy Practices for detailed information about their rights concerning protected health information.

5. Appointment Requests and Referrals

Information submitted through appointment request forms, referral forms, or related communications is used to evaluate inquiries, coordinate services, and facilitate appropriate follow-up.

Access to sensitive information is limited to authorized personnel and service providers with an appropriate operational or clinical need.

Referral information may be shared with authorized healthcare professionals, referring organizations, or other appropriate parties when permitted by law and necessary to coordinate care.

Visitors should not submit detailed clinical records, Social Security numbers, or other highly sensitive information through general website contact forms unless the form is specifically designated and secured for that purpose.

6. Telehealth and Client Portal Services

Lifebridge Counseling may offer telehealth appointments and access to client-related services through an online portal.

These services may be operated using secure third-party technology providers.

Information processed through telehealth or client portal systems may be governed by additional privacy notices, security practices, service agreements, and healthcare confidentiality requirements.

We encourage clients to access these services using private internet connections and devices whenever possible.

7. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, remember visitor preferences, understand website performance, and improve user experience.

These technologies may include:

Essential Cookies: Necessary for website operation, security, and core functionality.

Functional Cookies: Support optional features and visitor preferences.

Analytics Cookies: Help evaluate website usage and performance.

Marketing Cookies: May support advertising measurement or promotional activities where permitted by applicable law.

Nonessential tracking technologies should be subject to appropriate consent and privacy controls where required.

Because Lifebridge provides healthcare services, tracking technologies must be evaluated carefully to avoid impermissible disclosures of protected health information or other sensitive data.

Visitors may manage cookies through available website consent tools and browser settings.

8. Advertising and Third-Party Tracking

Lifebridge Counseling may use online marketing to help individuals learn about available counseling services.

Where advertising or analytics technologies are used, we seek to limit the information shared to what is appropriate and legally permitted.

We do not intentionally disclose confidential counseling records, diagnoses, treatment information, or protected health information to advertising platforms for unrelated marketing purposes without a legally sufficient basis.

The presence of a cookie banner or website Privacy Policy does not, by itself, authorize the disclosure of PHI to advertising or analytics providers.

9. Information Sharing

We may share information with appropriate parties, including:

Authorized Lifebridge Personnel: Employees, clinicians, and administrative staff who need information to perform their responsibilities.

Healthcare Providers and Referral Partners: When necessary and legally permitted to coordinate treatment or referrals.

Technology and Operational Service Providers: Organizations supporting website hosting, communications, appointment systems, security, and other business functions.

Legal and Regulatory Authorities: When required or permitted by applicable law.

Other Authorized Recipients: When an individual provides a valid authorization or another lawful basis applies.

When required, service providers handling PHI must enter into appropriate Business Associate Agreements.

We do not sell patient treatment records.

10. Information Security

We use administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal and confidential information.

These may include:

Role-based access controls
Secure website connections
Authentication and account security measures
Confidentiality policies
Staff training
Appropriate vendor oversight
Secure handling of patient information
Procedures for addressing suspected privacy or security incidents

No electronic system or transmission method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

11. Data Retention

We retain information according to its purpose and applicable legal requirements.

Website inquiries may be retained for administrative and communication purposes.

Patient records, clinical documentation, and healthcare-related information are retained according to applicable federal and Virginia recordkeeping requirements and organizational policies.

Information is deleted, de-identified, archived, or securely disposed of when appropriate and legally permitted.

12. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on the type of information involved and applicable law, you may have the right to:

Request access to certain personal information.
Request corrections to inaccurate information.
Request information about privacy practices.
Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of PHI.
Request confidential communications.
Obtain an accounting of certain disclosures of PHI.
Request deletion of information when legally permitted.
File a privacy complaint without retaliation.

Rights involving PHI are explained more fully in Lifebridge Counseling's Notice of Privacy Practices.

Certain information may need to be retained to comply with healthcare recordkeeping requirements.

13. Children's Privacy

Lifebridge Counseling provides services that may involve children and adolescents.

Our website is intended to provide information to prospective clients, parents, guardians, referral sources, and other individuals seeking information about counseling services.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 through general website functions without appropriate authorization or another lawful basis.

Information collected in connection with treatment of minors is handled according to applicable healthcare privacy laws, Virginia law, and relevant consent and confidentiality requirements.

14. Email and Electronic Communications

Visitors who contact Lifebridge Counseling electronically should understand that ordinary email may not provide the same protections as a designated secure patient communication system.

We encourage individuals to avoid sending detailed diagnoses, treatment records, or other highly sensitive health information through unsecured email.

When appropriate, Lifebridge may direct individuals to approved communication methods or secure systems.

15. Third-Party Websites

Our website may link to external websites, healthcare portals, social media platforms, and other independent services.

These third parties may maintain their own privacy policies and security practices.

We encourage visitors to review those policies before providing personal information.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in website technologies, services, privacy practices, or applicable laws.

The effective date at the top of this page will be updated when revisions are made.

Material changes will be communicated when required by law.

17. Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy or the handling of website information, please contact:

Lifebridge Counseling
Legal Entity: Lifebridge Counseling LLC
Website: https://www.lifebridgecounseling.com
Privacy Contact: marketing@intercepthealth.com
Phone: 540-523-8099

For requests involving patient records, HIPAA rights, or confidential treatment information, please contact Lifebridge Counseling through its designated privacy or patient records process.