At Bristlecone Therapy, PLLC we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled in a safe and responsible manner. This policy outlines the terms and conditions under which Bristlecone Therapy may communicate with you via short message service (SMS); for information on how we handle your Protected Health Information under the applicable privacy laws, please review our “Notice of Privacy Practices—PHI” document.

Information Collection and Usage

When you opt in to receive SMS communications from Bristlecone Therapy, you give us permission to collect the following information:

• Your mobile phone number,

• Any messages you send to us related to appointment scheduling, and

• Any other communication you initiate with us regarding your mental health care.

Bristlecone Therapy will only use this information to:

• Coordinate appointment scheduling with you,

• Respond to your inquiries and requests, and/or

• Offer support related to your mental health care.

Data Security and Information Sharing

As already noted, Bristlecone Therapy is committed to protecting your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, please be aware that SMS messages are not a fully secure method of communication. By opting in to receive SMS messages from us, you acknowledge and accept the risks associated with SMS communications, including the risk of interception by unauthorized parties.

That said, no information we collect related to SMS communication with our clients is ever shared with any third parties or affiliates, nor will ever be used for any marketing or promotional purposes.

Please also note that all information sharing mentioned in this policy excludes mobile opt-in and consent; your opt-in information is never shared with anyone for any purpose.

Policy Questions and Messaging Assistance

If you require assistance regarding any aspect of your SMS communication with Bristlecone Therapy, or if you have any additional questions or concerns about our SMS Privacy Policy, please reply “HELP” to any message you have received from us. You may also call us directly at 630-492-1388 or email us at info@bristleconetherapy.com to request assistance.

Opt-Out Procedure

If you opt in to receive SMS communications from Bristlecone Therapy, please be aware that you may opt out at any time. To opt out, simply reply “STOP” or “CANCEL” to any message you have received from us. You may also call us directly at 630-492-1388 or email us at info@bristleconetherapy.com to opt out.

Please note that opting out of SMS communication with Bristlecone Therapy does not stop the delivery of automated appointment reminders from SimplePractice, our electronic health record system, if you have signed up for these. You may opt out of receiving appointment reminders through the SimplePractice client portal or by speaking to your therapist.

Children's Privacy

Our SMS messaging service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18, and Bristlecone Therapy does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under this age.

Other Policy Considerations

Standard message and data rates may apply to any SMS messages you send to and receive from Bristlecone Therapy. You are solely responsible for any fees or charges incurred from your mobile carrier related to SMS communication with us.

SMS communication frequency from Bristlecone Therapy will occur only on a limited basis; however, this limited frequency may vary from week to week depending upon your scheduling and mental health care needs.

Bristlecone Therapy reserves the right to update or modify this SMS privacy policy at any time. We will notify you in advance of any changes that are made. An up-to-date copy of this policy is always available on the Bristlecone Therapy website at: www.bristleconetherapy.com/privacy-policy.