Privacy Policy

1. Scope of this policy

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website, including contact forms, appointment-request workflows, payment links, secure messaging links, review-request or review-invitation workflows, SMS opt-in forms, and other online interactions that connect you to South Florida Psychiatry.

This policy does not replace any separate healthcare privacy notice that may apply to patient records, treatment information, billing records, insurance information, telehealth encounters, or other protected health information maintained in our clinical systems.

2. Information we collect

Information you choose to provide

• Your name, email address, phone number, and the contents of any message you submit through our website.
• Appointment-related information you provide when requesting scheduling assistance or using a linked booking platform.
• Billing-related information you choose to provide when you contact us about statements, invoices, or payments.
• Mobile phone numbers and SMS opt-in preferences when you request text-based communications.
• Records of consent, such as the date, time, form, source page, and message category selected when you opt in to receive text messages.
• Any information you include when communicating with us through approved third-party tools linked from the website.

Information collected automatically

• Internet protocol (IP) address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring pages, and approximate usage data.
• Pages visited, dates and times of visits, and general site interaction information.
• Information collected through cookies, server logs, security tools, and similar technologies used to operate, maintain, and protect the website.

Sensitive information

Please do not submit highly sensitive or unnecessary medical details through a general website contact form or standard SMS text message unless we specifically ask you to do so through a secure method. If you need to share care-related information, we encourage you to use our approved secure communication channels.

3. How we use information

We may use the information described above to:

• Respond to inquiries, schedule consultations, and communicate with you about services or requests.
• Send service-related text messages you have agreed to receive, such as appointment reminders, scheduling updates, support follow-ups, billing notices, account notices, or review invitations.
• Send marketing or promotional text messages only when you have separately and expressly opted in to receive them.
• Operate, troubleshoot, secure, and improve the website and user experience.
• Facilitate online appointment scheduling, secure messaging, review generation, and payment processing through authorized service providers.
• Maintain records of communications and administrative requests.
• Comply with legal, regulatory, ethical, and risk-management obligations.
• Detect, prevent, or investigate fraud, misuse, spam, security incidents, or other harmful activity.

4. SMS texting and consent

Types of text messages you may receive

If you provide your mobile number and opt in, you may receive one or more of the following categories of text messages:

• Transactional or service-related messages, such as appointment reminders, scheduling confirmations, practice support updates, billing or account notices, and review or feedback invitations.
• Marketing or promotional messages, such as announcements, promotions, special updates, or other marketing content, but only if you separately opt in to receive marketing texts.

How consent works

We use separate consent options for service-related texts and marketing texts. Consent to receive service-related texts does not automatically enroll you in marketing texts. Consent to receive marketing texts is optional and is not required to submit a contact form, request an appointment, or receive services.

Required disclosures for SMS programs

Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. You can reply STOP to unsubscribe from text messages at any time, and reply HELP for assistance.

How we use and protect SMS data

• We collect mobile numbers and related consent records for the purpose of sending the text message categories you selected.
• We store phone numbers and SMS consent data in systems and service-provider platforms that support our communications, security, and operational needs.
• We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect this data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
• We do not sell phone numbers, SMS consent records, or SMS messaging data to third parties.
• We do not share phone numbers or SMS messaging data with unrelated third parties for their own marketing purposes.
• We may share SMS-related data with vendors or service providers only as needed to deliver messaging services, support operations, comply with law, or protect our rights and systems.

How to opt out or request deletion

You may opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP. You may also request deletion of your mobile number or related website-collected data by contacting us using the information below. We may retain certain records where needed for legal, compliance, security, fraud-prevention, or other legitimate business purposes.

5. Cookies and similar technologies

Our website may use cookies, local storage, pixels, session technologies, log files, and similar tools to keep the site functioning, remember settings, measure performance, improve usability, and support security.

• Essential technologies help the website load properly, maintain security, and support core functions.
• Performance or analytics technologies may help us understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it.
• Embedded or linked third-party tools may place their own cookies or collect information according to their own privacy practices.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect how the site functions.

6. How we share information

We do not sell personal information collected through this website. We may share information:

• With service providers that help us operate the website, schedule appointments, process payments, communicate securely, manage review-generation workflows, or support our business operations.
• With SMS and communication vendors that send messages on our behalf, but only for our business purposes and not for their own independent marketing use.
• When necessary to protect the rights, safety, or security of our practice, our patients, website users, or others.
• When required or permitted by law, regulation, subpoena, court order, or other legal process.
• In connection with a business transaction such as a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, subject to applicable legal requirements.

We expect our service providers to use information only as reasonably necessary to perform services for us and to protect it appropriately.

7. Third-party services and links

Our website may link to or integrate with third-party services. Those services may collect information according to their own privacy notices, terms, and security practices.

• Appointment scheduling providers such as Zocdoc, if used for online booking.
• Secure messaging providers such as Klara, if used for patient communications.
• Payment providers or billing platforms used for online bill payment.
• Review-generation or reputation-management providers used to request or manage customer feedback.
• SMS communication providers used to deliver text messages you have agreed to receive.
• Social media platforms when you follow links to our Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or other profiles.
• Hosting, security, spam filtering, and website platform providers that support the site’s infrastructure.

We are not responsible for the privacy or security practices of third-party websites or platforms that we do not control. We encourage you to review their policies before providing information.

8. Data retention

We retain website-related information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including responding to requests, maintaining business records, supporting security and fraud prevention, resolving disputes, and complying with legal or professional obligations.

SMS opt-in records, opt-out records, and related communication logs may also be retained as needed to document consent, honor communication preferences, support compliance, and maintain appropriate business records.

9. Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information collected through the website. However, no method of transmission over the internet and no electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

For that reason, please use care when deciding what information to send through web forms, standard SMS, email, or third-party services, and use secure channels whenever available.

10. Your choices and rights

Depending on your relationship with us and where you live, you may have the ability to:

• Request access to certain personal information we maintain about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of certain website-related information, subject to legal and operational exceptions.
• Withdraw SMS consent by replying STOP or contacting us directly.
• Ask questions about how we collect, use, or share information through the website.
• Manage cookies through your browser or device settings.

To make a privacy-related request, please use the contact information below. We may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

11. Children’s privacy

Our practice serves both adults and children, but this website is intended primarily for parents, guardians, prospective patients, and other adults seeking information about our services. We do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under 13 without appropriate consent or another lawful basis.

If you believe a child has submitted personal information through the website inappropriately, please contact us so we can review and address the situation.

12. Accessibility

South Florida Psychiatry is committed to making this website and this Privacy Policy accessible and usable for as many people as possible. We aim to present this page in a clear, structured, and readable format that supports assistive technologies and keyboard navigation.

If you have difficulty accessing this page or need this policy in an alternative format, please contact us and we will make reasonable efforts to assist you.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, service providers, legal obligations, website functionality, or messaging workflows. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this page and may take additional steps if required by law.