Your privacy matters to us as much as your well-being. This policy explains what information this website collects, why we collect it, and the choices you have.
Who we are
This website, askdrpenny.com, is run by Angel Counseling Services, LLC, under the brand name Ask Dr. Penny (“we,” “us,” or “our”). We offer individual, grief, family, and faith-based counseling, in person at our office and by secure telehealth.
You can reach us at penny@askdrpenny.com, by phone at (205) 946-4060, or by mail at 2358 B Old Springville Road, Birmingham, AL 35215.
What this policy covers
This policy explains how we handle information collected through this website: our contact form, service inquiry form, appointment request form, newsletter sign-up, and ordinary visits to the site.
Your clinical records are covered separately. Once you become a client, your health information is protected by federal and state health privacy law, including HIPAA where it applies. You will receive our Notice of Privacy Practices at intake. It explains how your clinical information is used and protected, and it takes priority over this policy for anything it covers.
Information you give us
We only collect what you choose to send. Depending on the form, this may include:
- Contact form: first and last name, email, phone (optional), the reason you are reaching out, your preferred format (in person or video), the best time to reach you, and your message.
- Service inquiry form: the service you are interested in, your name, email, phone (optional), preferred format, and any details you share.
- Appointment request: the service, counselor, date, and time you choose, your name and contact details, and any notes you add, such as who will attend a family session.
- Newsletter: your email address.
- Phone calls and email: whatever you tell us when you contact us directly.
Please keep it brief. Website forms and regular email are not the place for detailed health or personal history. Share just enough for us to follow up, and we will talk privately by phone, secure message, or in session.
Information collected automatically
Like most websites, our hosting server keeps standard technical logs, such as your IP address, browser type, the pages you visit, and the time of your visit. These logs are used to keep the site secure and working properly.
The site uses a small number of essential cookies that make features such as forms and the booking calendar work. At the time of writing, we do not use advertising cookies, cross-site tracking, or analytics tools that build a profile of you.
Our pages load fonts from Google Fonts. When they load, your browser connects to Google’s servers, and Google receives your IP address.
How we use your information
- To reply to your message, usually within one business day.
- To schedule your free 15-minute consult and appointments.
- To send booking emails: an instant confirmation, a confirmed time with a calendar invite or telehealth link, and a reminder 24 hours before your session.
- To send our newsletter, if you signed up. It is one short email a week, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
- To keep the website secure and prevent spam and misuse.
- To meet our legal and professional obligations.
We never sell or rent your personal information, and we do not share it with anyone for their own marketing.
Who we share it with
We share information only when we need to, and only with:
- Service providers that help us run the practice, such as our website host, email delivery, the scheduling calendar (which uses Google Calendar to show availability), and the secure video platform used for telehealth sessions. They may use the information only to provide their service to us.
- Authorities, when the law requires it, such as a valid court order, or to protect someone’s safety in an emergency.
- Anyone else you ask us to share it with.
How long we keep it
We keep messages and requests from people who do not become clients only as long as we need them to respond and follow up. After that, we delete them. Newsletter addresses are kept until you unsubscribe. Clinical records for clients are kept for the period required by state law and professional standards.
How we protect it
The site uses an encrypted connection (HTTPS), and only people who need your information to help you can access it. No website or email system is completely secure, though. That is one more reason to keep sensitive details out of forms and email.
Your privacy choices and rights
You can ask us to:
- Tell you what personal information we hold about you from this website.
- Correct information that is wrong.
- Delete your information, unless we are required to keep it.
- Stop sending you emails. Every newsletter has an unsubscribe link.
To make a request, email penny@askdrpenny.com. We may need to confirm your identity first. Clients can also use the rights described in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Children’s privacy
This website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their information online. Counseling for minors is arranged with a parent or legal guardian. If you believe a child has sent us information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Links to other websites
Our articles and resources sometimes link to other websites, such as crisis lines or reading lists. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices, so please review their policies.
Changes to this privacy policy
We may update this policy as our services or the law change. When we do, we will update the date at the top of this page. If a change is significant, we will make it clear on the site.
Questions about this policy?
We are happy to explain anything here. A real person reads every message.