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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 4, 2026
Last Updated: October 5, 2026 

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Welcome to Mt. Hope Christian Counseling Center. We are a Christian counseling practice located in Webb City, Missouri. Your privacy is very important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you visit our website, www.mthopechristiancounseling.com, or communicate with us by phone, email, or text message.

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1. Information We Collect

A. Personal Information You Provide

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Phone number, including your mobile number if you choose to receive text messages 

  • Mailing address

  • Information submitted through contact forms

  • Appointment requests

  • Counseling inquiries

  • Your text messaging consent preferences, including when and how you opted in or out 

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B. Protected Health Information (PHI)
If you become a client, we may collect health-related information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Any PHI is handled in accordance with applicable federal and Missouri law.

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C. Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

  • IP address

  • Browser type

  • Device information

  • Pages visited

  • Date and time of visit

  • Cookies and usage data

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2. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information to:

  • Respond to inquiries

  • Schedule appointments

  • Provide counseling services

  • Send administrative communications, including appointment reminders and billing messages by email or text 

  • Improve our website

  • Comply with legal and ethical obligations

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

 

3. Text Messaging (SMS) Privacy 

If you choose to receive text messages from Mt. Hope Christian Counseling Center, this section explains how we handle your mobile phone number and related information.

Your consent. We send text messages only to people who have agreed to receive them, such as by checking the SMS consent box on one of our online forms. Consent to receive text messages is optional and is not required to receive counseling services or to schedule an appointment.

What we send. Text messages are limited to scheduling, appointment reminders, follow-up messages, and billing inquiries. We do not send marketing or promotional texts.

How we use your mobile number. We use your mobile number and consent information only to send the messages you agreed to receive and to keep a record of your consent and opt-out choices.

We do not share your mobile information for marketing. Your mobile phone number and SMS consent information will not be sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information may be shared only with the service providers and carriers needed to deliver our messages, and only as needed to provide that service.

Keep texts confidential. Text messages are not a fully secure way to communicate. For your privacy, we keep text messages brief and administrative and do not include details of your counseling sessions. Please do not send sensitive personal or health information by text. Use our secure client portal or call our office instead. Text messages sent to your phone may be seen by anyone with access to your device.

Opting out and getting help. You can stop text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message. Reply HELP for assistance, or call us at (417) 624-9659. Message frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. For full details, see our SMS Terms and Conditions.

In an emergency, please do not text us. Call 911 or contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

 

4. Confidentiality and Christian Counseling Standards

As a Christian counseling practice, we are committed to maintaining confidentiality consistent with:

  • HIPAA

  • Missouri state counseling confidentiality laws

  • Applicable professional ethical standards

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Information shared in counseling sessions is confidential except in circumstances required by law, including but not limited to:

  • Suspected abuse or neglect

  • Threats of harm to self or others

  • Court orders or legal requirements

You will receive a separate Notice of Privacy Practices if you become a client.

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5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies to enhance user experience and analyze site traffic. You may disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features of the site may not function properly. We may use third-party services (such as website analytics providers) that collect anonymous usage data.

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6. Third-Party Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., online scheduling platforms or payment processors). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties.

If we use secure payment processing, those transactions are encrypted and processed by third-party providers.

We may also use trusted service providers, such as our scheduling and messaging platforms and wireless carriers, to deliver appointment reminders and text messages on our behalf. 

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7. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet, email, or text message is 100% secure.

If you are submitting sensitive information, we recommend using secure client portals rather than general email or text messages. 

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8. Your Rights (Missouri and Federal Law)

Depending on your relationship with us, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal information

  • Request correction of inaccurate information

  • Request restrictions on certain disclosures

  • Request confidential communications

  • Withdraw your consent to receive text messages at any time 

  • File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

HIPAA complaints may be filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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9. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent.

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10. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

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11. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to stop receiving text messages, please contact:

 

Mt. Hope Christian Counseling Center
2830 Mount Hope Rd.
Webb City, MO 64870
Phone: (417) 624-9659
Email: counseling@mthope.church

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