Communications

Heartstone Guidance Center

Heartstone Guidance Center values your privacy and takes confidentiality seriously. This policy explains how we handle information shared with us through Facebook or Instagram when you inquire about or request to join individual therapy or a therapy group.

1. Communication Through Facebook / Instagram

Facebook and Instagram (including Facebook Messenger) are not a HIPAA-compliant platforms. While we strive to protect your privacy, messages sent through Facebook or Instagram are subject to Facebook and Instagram's own data collection, storage, and security practices.

By choosing to contact Heartstone Guidance Center through Facebook or Instagram, you acknowledge and accept these limitations.

2. What Information We May Collect

When you contact us via Facebook or Instagram, you may voluntarily share information such as:

• Your name or Facebook/Instagram username

• General questions about groups or services

• Contact information you choose to provide (e.g., email address)

We strongly encourage you not to share sensitive personal information via Facebook or Instagram, including:

• Mental health diagnoses

• Trauma history

• Detailed symptoms

• Insurance information

• Personal identifying details beyond what is necessary to request contact

3. How We Use Your Information

Information shared through Facebook or Instagram is used only to:

• Respond to your inquiry

• Provide general information about groups or services

• Direct you to appropriate next steps (such as secure intake forms or email communication)

Facebook messages are not used for therapy, clinical assessment, or ongoing care.

4. Transition to Secure Communication

If you choose to move forward with group participation or individual therapy, we will ask you to transition to a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform (such as encrypted email, a secure client portal, or intake system) before collecting any protected health information.

5. Confidentiality Limits

While Heartstone Guidance Center staff treat all communications with care and discretion:

• Facebook or Instagram may store or access message data

• Messages may be visible to Meta/Facebook/Instagram systems

• We cannot guarantee confidentiality on third-party platforms

For this reason, Facebook should be used only for initial contact, not for sharing personal mental health information.

6. Your Choice and Consent

By messaging Heartstone Guidance Center on Facebook or Instagram, you:

• Consent to receive a response via Facebook

• Understand the privacy limitations of social media communication

• Agree to move to a secure platform for any clinical or intake-related communication

You may request to stop communication at any time.

7. Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about privacy or would like to communicate through a more secure method, please let us know. We are happy to provide alternative options.

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Heartstone Guidance Center
Neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed care
Serving Autistic, ADHD, LGBTQIA+, and Neurodivergent Communities