Elemental Mental Health (EMH) Website Privacy Policy

This privacy policy discloses the privacy practices (required by law) for the Elemental Mental Health (EMH) website: https://elementalmentalhealth.com owned by Dr. Alyx MacTernan. This privacy policy applies solely to information collected by this website.

This website privacy policy page discloses how this website handles the Elemental Mental Health website user’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and protects a user’s privacy.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as described in the appendix of OMB M-10-23 (Guidance for Agency Use of Third-Party Website and Applications) by the United States General Services Administration refers to information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other personal or identifying information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual. The definition of PII is not anchored to any single category of information or technology. Rather, it requires a case-by-case assessment of the specific risk that an individual can be identified. In performing this assessment, it is important for an agency to recognize that non-PII can become PII whenever additional information is made publicly available – in any medium and from any source – that, when combined with other available information, could be used to identify an individual.

This definition was obtained from the United States General Services Administration website under the GSA Privacy Policy Program on Rules and Policies – Protecting PII – Privacy Act where the latest updates to the law can be found.

What Personal Data We Collect and Why We Collect It

When registering or interacting with our website, you may be asked to provide personal information, such as your name, postal address, phone number, email address, some personal history, and/or other personal information as applicable.

We collect this personal data when you register on our website, fill out a contact form, or take any action where you enter information into our website. We use this information to:

  • Contact you in order to serve you as a client or potential client of Elemental Mental Health
  • Help improve our website, marketing and/or service offerings
  • Respond to customer service requests, such as when you make direct contact with us via phone, email or other communication transmission service.
  • Ask for ratings and/or reviews

How Do We Protect Your Personal Information?

To protect your personal information, Elemental Mental Health:

  • Uses an SSL certificate on the website which is a bit of code on your web server that provides security for online communications. When a web browser contacts your secure website, the SSL certificate enables an encrypted connection.
  • Uses an external PCI compliant payment gateway to handle all credit card transactions.
  • Uses regular malware scanning.
  • Uses a third-party HIPAA compliant online platform separate from the EMH website to conduct all medically related communication protected under HIPAA law. We will never ask you for any personal medical information covered under HIPAA law via the website.

For information regarding our other policies such as our informed consent agreement, our notice of privacy practices and information for residents of each state we provide services in, please visit our website forms and fees page at: https://elementalmentalhealth.com/forms-fees/.

We also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted limited access to only the personally identifiable information needed to complete their job function. All medical information and information covered under HIPAA law are stored safely using reputable third-party vendors that comply with HIPAA privacy policy requirements.

All third-party vendors are reputable companies and subject to their own privacy policies, as described by each individual vendor.

Do We Use Cookies on Our Website?

Yes, we use tracking cookies on our website, if you grant permission to your web browser to do so. These cookies help us to capture information, understand your preferences for website settings and interactions (where applicable), track your activity and compile data. You can opt out of cookies or choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, via your personal browser settings. Please refer to your web browser for more information on how to do this.

We also use trusted third-party vendors to track cookies and other information on our behalf. Each third-party vendor is subject to data protection laws and has their own privacy policy. You may contact each third-party vendor directly for their privacy policy information.

Personal medical information protected under HIPAA law is stored separately from your PPI tracking ‘cookie’ information and is only accessible when necessary to third-party vendors as required and who meet HIPAA compliance standards.

We do not rent, sell or trade your personally identifiable information that we control except when we are required to do so to comply with the law. However, information that does not fall under the personally identifiable information category can and may be provided to third-party vendors for advertising and other uses at the discretion of Elemental Mental Health.

This website also contains links to other websites, as we may recommend the information on those websites. We have no control over those other websites, and how they may use your personally identifiable information that they collect when you leave our website and go to their website. Please see each individual website’s privacy policy for information on how each website handles your personally identifiable information.

California Online Privacy Protection Act

Under CalOPPA, as a website and business that collects personally identifiable information from California residents, we have posted this privacy policy information that can be easily accessed, and we agree to the following:

  • Users can visit our website anonymously.
  • There will be a link to this privacy policy on our website home page as required and our privacy policy link includes the word ‘privacy’ and can easily be found on the website home page in the footer area at the bottom of the page.
  • You will be notified of any privacy policy changes.
  • You can edit, change, or request removal of any personally identifiable information we control and have on file by filling out a website contact form, calling us directly, or emailing us directly via the contact information provided at the bottom of this page.
  • You can unsubscribe from any email communication from our company by clicking on the unsubscribe link provided at the bottom of each email.

Third Party Vendors That We Use Regularly

Below is a list of third-party vendors we use regularly:

  • Zoom
  • Simple Practice
  • Google (multiple platforms)
  • Facebook and Facebook Ads
  • LinkedIn
  • Bluehost
  • WP Simple Pay / Stripe
  • Yoast SEO

We make a significant effort adding or removing vendors from this list when third-party vendors change.

COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)

We comply with the regulations set forth in the Children’s Online Privacy Act, referred to as COPPA to protect children’s privacy and safety online. And we do not specifically market to children under the age of 13 years.

Fair Information Practices

We understand and agree to comply with the Fair Information Practices principles and the privacy laws that protect personally identifiable information. As per our agreement to comply, we agree to notify users via an on-site website notification within seven (7) business days of becoming aware of a data breach occurrence.

Additionally, we agree to the Individual Redress Principle that allows website users to legally pursue enforceable rights against Elemental Mental Health should we fail to adhere to following data collection, privacy and protections as required by U.S. law. We will not prohibit individuals from seeking recourse for data collection, privacy and protection violations via the U.S. court system or prohibit government agencies from investigating and/or prosecuting non-compliance by data processors.

CAN SPAM Act

We agree to comply with the CAN SPAM Act and abide by the rules set under the CAN SPAM Act regarding commercial email communications and requirements. We understand that we need to give email recipients the right to discontinue receiving commercial email communications from our company. Email recipients can give notice to Elemental Mental Health requesting the company discontinue from sending email communications by:

  • Contacting Elemental Mental Health via the website contact form.
  • Contacting Elemental Mental Health directly via the email address and/or phone number provided at the end of this document.
  • By unsubscribing from email communications sent via the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email.

Elemental Mental Health will put forth our best effort to comply with discontinuing communication and unsubscribing requests within a timely manner. We also agree to the following compliance requirements:

  • Not use false or misleading subjects or email addresses.
  • To identify the message as an advertisement in some reasonable way.
  • To include the physical address of our business or site headquarters.
  • Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if one is used.

Elemental Mental Health Privacy Policy Contact Information

For additional information regarding our privacy policy or to contact Elemental Mental Health, please use the contact information provided below:

Elemental Mental Health
Privacy Control Officer: Dr. Alyx MacTernan
Oxnard, CA 93035
404-548-8737