Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Dr. Wendy Mental Health Institute (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Institute”) operates the website drwendyinstitute.com (the “Website”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit our Website, contact us, schedule services, or otherwise interact with us online.

This Policy applies to information collected through the Website and our online interactions. It does not apply to information collected during in-person or telehealth therapy sessions, coaching sessions, or other clinical/therapeutic services (unless explicitly stated).

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

Information You Provide Directly

Contact and identification details: name, email address, phone number, mailing address.
Scheduling and inquiry details: reason for contact, preferred appointment times, messages or questions submitted via forms.
Account or service-related information: if you create an account or use client portals (if applicable).
Payment information: processed securely by third-party payment processors (we do not store full credit card details).

Automatically Collected Information

Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, pages visited, time and date of access, referring/exit pages.
Cookies and similar technologies: session data, preferences, analytics (see our Cookie Notice below).

Sensitive Information

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information (e.g., racial/ethnic origin, religious beliefs, health details beyond general inquiries, precise geolocation) through the Website unless you voluntarily provide it in a contact form. We strongly advise against sending detailed clinical or health information via email, forms, or unsecured channels—use secure client portals for such communications.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Respond to inquiries, schedule consultations or sessions, and provide information about our services (mental health therapy, life coaching, organizational programs).
Operate, maintain, improve, and secure the Website.
Communicate with you (e.g., appointment reminders, newsletters, updates—if you opt in).
Analyze Website usage and improve user experience.
Comply with legal obligations, prevent fraud, enforce our terms, or protect rights/safety.
For marketing purposes (only with your consent where required).

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in these limited circumstances:

With service providers (e.g., website hosting, email services, scheduling tools like Calendly, analytics providers like Google Analytics, payment processors) who are contractually obligated to protect your data.
To comply with law, respond to subpoenas/court orders, or protect rights/safety.
In connection with a business transfer (e.g., merger/acquisition).
With your explicit consent.

We do not share information for targeted advertising that would constitute a “sale” or “sharing” under CCPA/CPRA unless you have opted in (and we provide opt-out mechanisms where applicable).

4. California Consumer Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), provides you with specific rights regarding your personal information:

Right to know: Request categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.
Right to delete: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to exceptions).
Right to correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
Right to opt out of sale/sharing: We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. If practices change, we will provide a clear “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link.
Right to limit use of sensitive personal information: We do not use or disclose sensitive personal information for purposes beyond those reasonably necessary.
Right to non-discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.

To exercise these rights, contact us at the email address below. We will verify your identity before responding (typically within 45 days, extendable if needed). You may authorize an agent to submit requests on your behalf with proper verification.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies for functionality, analytics, and performance. You can manage preferences via your browser. For more details, review your browser’s help section. Note: Disabling cookies may limit Website functionality.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Policy, to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements—typically 4 years after your last interaction, unless a longer period is required by law.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Website is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we learn we have collected such data, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Users

The Website is hosted in the United States. If you access it from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to and processed in the U.S., where privacy laws may differ.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy periodically. Changes will be posted here with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Website after changes constitutes acceptance.

11. Contact Us

For questions, rights requests, or concerns: info@drwendyinstitute.com.

Thank you for trusting us with your privacy.