Website Privacy Policy
Authentic Living Psychotherapy, LLC
Effective Date: April 11, 2026
Authentic Living Psychotherapy, LLC ("we," "our," or "the practice") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit paulakirschlmsw.com (the "Website"), how we use it, and your rights regarding that information.
This Website provides general information about our telehealth therapy services. It is not a clinical platform and does not host any electronic health records or protected health information (PHI) as defined by HIPAA. Clinical records are maintained separately through our HIPAA-compliant practice management system.
1. Information We Collect
a. Information You Provide Directly
When you use the contact form on our Website, you may provide your name, email address, phone number, and a brief message. This information is used solely to respond to your inquiry. We do not use it for marketing purposes and we do not sell it to third parties.
b. Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our Website, certain information is collected automatically through cookies and analytics tools, including:
Pages visited and time spent on each page
Referring website or search terms used to find us
Browser type and device information
General geographic location (city/region level, not precise location)
This information is collected through Squarespace (our website platform) and Google Analytics. It is used to understand how visitors find and use our Website so we can improve it. It does not identify you personally.
2. Cookies
Our Website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to support site functionality and analytics. By continuing to use our Website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings. Doing so may affect the functionality of certain features of the Website.
3. How We Use Your Information
Information collected through this Website is used to:
Respond to inquiries submitted through the contact form
Understand how visitors find and navigate the Website
Improve the content, structure, and performance of the Website
Comply with applicable legal obligations
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We do not use your information for advertising purposes. Information may be shared only in the following limited circumstances:
With service providers who operate our Website (Squarespace) and analytics tools (Google Analytics), solely for those purposes
As required by law, court order, or other legal process
5. Third-Party Services
Our Website uses the following third-party services, each of which has its own privacy policy:
Squarespace (website hosting and platform) — squarespace.com/privacy
Google Analytics (website analytics) — policies.google.com/privacy
TherapyPortal/TherapyNotes (client scheduling and intake — separate from this Website, HIPAA-compliant)
6. A Note About HIPAA
This Website is a general information and marketing site. It does not collect or transmit protected health information (PHI). Clinical communication, scheduling, intake forms, and records are handled through our HIPAA-compliant practice management platform, which operates under a separate privacy notice provided to clients at the time of engagement. If you are a current or prospective client and have questions about how your clinical information is handled, please contact us directly.
7. Connecticut, New York, and Michigan Privacy Rights
Residents of Connecticut, New York, and Michigan may have additional rights regarding their personal data under applicable state law, including the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA). These rights may include:
The right to know what personal data we have collected about you
The right to request deletion of your personal data
The right to correct inaccurate personal data
The right to opt out of certain data processing activities
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information below. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.
8. Data Retention
Contact form submissions are retained only as long as necessary to respond to your inquiry and for a reasonable period thereafter. Website analytics data is retained per the default retention settings of Google Analytics and Squarespace.
9. Children's Privacy
This Website is not directed at individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a minor has submitted information through this Website, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Website following any update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact:
Paula Kirsch, LMSW, LCSW, P-CST, CST
Authentic Living Psychotherapy, LLC
Licensed in Connecticut, New York, and Michigan
This policy was last reviewed and updated on April 11, 2026. This document does not constitute legal advice. For questions about HIPAA compliance specific to your clinical records, please contact the practice directly.