PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: August 24, 2026
Sioux Empire Christian Counseling 2000 S. Sycamore Avenue, Suite 101 Sioux Falls, SD 57110
Phone: 605-271-0261 Email: officemanagersecc@gmail.com
1. Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with Sioux Empire Christian Counseling, we may collect information including:
Name and contact information
Telephone and mobile telephone numbers
Email address
Appointment and scheduling information
Information necessary to provide counseling services
Information voluntarily provided during counseling
Insurance and billing information
Information submitted through forms or our website
Information provided through telephone, email, or text communications
Other information necessary to provide and administer our services
Information related to counseling services is handled in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy laws, professional ethical requirements, and HIPAA requirements when applicable.
2. How We Use Your Information
We may use information we collect to:
Schedule and manage counseling appointments
Send appointment reminders and confirmations
Communicate with clients regarding their services
Respond to questions or requests
Provide counseling and related services
Coordinate care when appropriate and authorized
Process billing and insurance claims
Communicate administrative information
Maintain appropriate clinical and business records
Operate and improve our website and services
Meet legal, regulatory, and professional obligations
We do not use confidential counseling information for advertising or marketing purposes without appropriate authorization.
3. Text Messaging and SMS Communications
If you provide your mobile telephone number and affirmatively consent to receive text messages from Sioux Empire Christian Counseling, we may use SMS text messaging to communicate with you about your relationship with our practice.
Examples of messages may include:
Appointment reminders
Appointment confirmations
Scheduling or rescheduling communications
Requests to contact our office
Responses to inquiries
Administrative communications related to counseling services
Message frequency varies depending on your appointments and communications with our office.
Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and service plan.
Text messaging is an optional communication method. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving counseling services.
You may choose to communicate with our office by telephone, email, or another available communication method instead.
4. SMS Consent
When you voluntarily provide your mobile telephone number and affirmatively agree to receive text messages, you consent to receive service-related SMS communications from Sioux Empire Christian Counseling.
Your consent to receive SMS messages is separate from your consent to receive counseling services.
We will only use SMS communications for purposes consistent with the communication program for which you provided consent.
5. SMS Opt-Out
You may stop receiving text messages from Sioux Empire Christian Counseling at any time.
To opt out, reply:
STOP
After requesting to opt out, you may receive a confirmation message. You will no longer receive SMS messages from the applicable messaging program unless you subsequently provide consent again.
You may also contact our office at 605-271-0261 or officemanagersecc@gmail.com to request that SMS communication be discontinued.
Opting out of text messages will not affect your ability to receive counseling services.
6. SMS Help
If you have questions about our text messaging program, reply:
HELP
You may also contact Sioux Empire Christian Counseling at:
605-271-0261
or
officemanagersecc@gmail.com
7. Mobile Information and SMS Consent
We do not sell, rent, or share your mobile telephone number or SMS opt-in information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
Your mobile telephone number and SMS consent information will not be used for unrelated advertising or promotional purposes.
We may disclose information to service providers who assist us with practice operations, appointment scheduling, electronic communications, billing, website services, or SMS messaging when such disclosure is necessary to provide those services and is permitted by applicable law.
8. Confidentiality of Counseling Information
We understand the importance of confidentiality in the counseling relationship.
Information shared during counseling is handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws, professional standards, ethical requirements, and our Notice of Privacy Practices when applicable.
While we take reasonable steps to protect confidential information, electronic communications—including ordinary email and SMS text messaging—may not provide the same level of security as secure clinical communication systems.
For this reason, please avoid sending highly sensitive clinical information, detailed personal information, or emergency information by ordinary text message.
Text messaging should generally be used for brief administrative communication such as scheduling and appointment-related matters.
9. Electronic Communications
When you communicate with us electronically, including by email, text message, or through our website, we may retain the communication as necessary for administrative, clinical, legal, or business purposes.
We encourage clients to consider the privacy and security of their own devices and email or mobile accounts when communicating electronically with our office.
10. Website Information
Our website may collect limited technical information when you visit, such as:
IP address
Browser type
Device information
Operating system
Pages visited
General website usage information
This information may be used to maintain website security, improve website functionality, and understand general website traffic.
We do not intentionally collect sensitive counseling information through ordinary website analytics.
11. Cookies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to provide website functionality, understand website usage, and improve the user experience.
You may be able to control cookies through your web browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
12. Clinical and Health Information
Information concerning counseling, mental health services, treatment, diagnoses, clinical observations, and related services may constitute protected health information under HIPAA or other applicable privacy laws.
When HIPAA applies, our use and disclosure of protected health information are governed by applicable HIPAA requirements and our Notice of Privacy Practices.
This Privacy Policy does not replace or modify our Notice of Privacy Practices.
13. Children's Information
Our practice may provide counseling services to children and adolescents.
Information concerning minors is handled in accordance with applicable laws, professional requirements, parental or legal guardian rights, and our clinical policies.
14. Information Security
We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
However, no electronic communication system, website, email system, or text messaging service can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
15. No Emergency Communication Through SMS
Text messaging and email should not be used for emergencies or crisis situations.
If you are experiencing an emergency or believe that you or another person is in immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency service or seek immediate assistance rather than relying on a text message or email to our office.
16. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our services, communication methods, technology, or legal and regulatory requirements.
When changes are made, the updated policy will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.
17. Contact Us
If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy, your privacy, our SMS messaging program, or your communication preferences, please contact:
Sioux Empire Christian Counseling
2000 S. Sycamore Avenue, Suite 101Sioux Falls, SD 57110
Phone: 605-271-0261