Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information to provide and improve our counseling services:

1.1 Personal Information

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Demographic Information: Age, gender, location
• Health Information: Mental health concerns, medical history, counseling goals
• Session Records: Notes from counseling sessions, treatment plans, progress reports
• Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment gateways)

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

• IP address, browser type, and device information
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
• Referring website or search engine

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To provide counseling services, schedule appointments, and communicate with you
• Treatment Planning: To assess your needs and develop personalized treatment plans
• Communication: To send appointment reminders, service updates, and important notifications
• Payment Processing: To process payments and maintain billing records
• Website Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and enhance user experience
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards
• Marketing: To send promotional materials (with your consent, which you may withdraw at any time)

3. Confidentiality in Counseling

We adhere to strict ethical and professional standards regarding client confidentiality:

• All counseling sessions are confidential and protected by professional ethics codes
• Session notes and records are stored securely and accessible only to authorized personnel
• We do not disclose your information to third parties without your explicit consent
• Information may be shared only in specific circumstances required by law (see Section 4)

4. When We May Disclose Information

Your information may be disclosed in the following limited circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share information
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation
• Risk of Harm: If there is imminent risk of harm to you or others
• Child Protection: In cases of suspected child abuse or neglect
• Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist in our operations (e.g., payment processors, IT support)
• Professional Consultation: With other healthcare professionals for treatment purposes (with your consent)

5. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your information:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
• Encrypted storage of sensitive client records
• Access controls and authentication protocols
• Regular security audits and system updates
• Staff training on data protection and confidentiality
• Secure backup systems for data recovery

While we use industry-standard security measures, please note that no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information we hold
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal and ethical obligations)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Restrict Processing: Request limitation on how we use your data
• Data Portability: Request transfer of your data in a structured format

To exercise these rights, please contact us at Info@mvcounsellor.com or call +91 8295417017.

7. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18 without parental or guardian consent. If we become aware that we have collected information from a minor without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete such information.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide ongoing counseling services
• Comply with legal and professional record-keeping requirements
• Resolve disputes or enforce our agreements

Client records are typically retained for a minimum of 7 years as per professional guidelines and legal requirements in India.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Effective Date"
• Sending an email notification to registered users
• Displaying a notice on our website homepage

Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: