This policy supplements our Privacy Policy and explains how Psychology.com handles consumer health data. It is provided to meet the Washington My Health My Data Act and similar laws in Nevada, Connecticut, and other states. It applies to everyone who uses the site, regardless of where you live.
What is consumer health data
Consumer health data is information that identifies your past, present, or future physical or mental health status. For us, this mainly means anything you choose to write when you contact a therapist or use our matching tool that describes a mental-health concern, condition, or the fact that you are seeking mental-health services, together with information that identifies you (such as your name or email).
What we collect and why
- What: the name and email you enter, and any description of what you are seeking help with, when you message a therapist or request matches.
- Why: solely to connect you with the therapist you chose to contact, to generate therapist matches you asked for, and to keep the service secure. Nothing else.
Consent
We collect this information only when you choose to enter it and submit a form, which serves as your consent to collect and use it for the purpose described above. We will obtain your separate, affirmative consent before collecting or using consumer health data for any new purpose, and before sharing it with anyone other than the therapist you chose to contact and our service providers.
We do not sell it
We do not sell consumer health data, and we will not, without a valid written authorization that meets the law's requirements. We do not use it for advertising, do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising, and do not allow third-party advertising or analytics trackers on the pages where you enter it.
Who we share it with
When you contact a therapist, your message is sent to that therapist so they can respond. We also use a small number of service providers (for example, secure database, hosting, and email delivery) who process data on our behalf under contracts that restrict their use of it. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect someone's safety.
No geofencing
We do not use any geofence around any health-care facility, mental-health clinic, or similar location to identify or track people or to send advertising.
How long we keep it
Messages you send through a contact form are encrypted at rest and automatically deleted after about 90 days. We keep consumer health data no longer than needed for the purpose you provided it.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Confirm and access the consumer health data we hold about you.
- Delete it.
- Withdraw consent to its collection and sharing.
- Get a list of the third parties and affiliates we have shared it with.
To exercise any of these, email privacy@psychology.com. We will respond within the time the law requires. If we deny a request, you may appeal by replying to our response; if you are still not satisfied, you may contact your state attorney general.
Not a confidential clinical channel
Psychology.com is a directory, not your healthcare provider. A contact form is not a secure or confidential clinical channel and is not for emergencies. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (US) at any time.
Contact
Questions can be sent to privacy@psychology.com.