Website Privacy Policy

Annalise Baumgardt, LCSW
Effective Date 10/03/2026

About This Policy

I am Annalise Baumgardt, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in solo private practice, licensed in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida. I take your privacy seriously, and I wrote this policy to explain how I handle information collected through my website, [website URL] (the "Website").

This policy covers only the Website and the communications you send through it. It does not govern the clinical records I keep if you become my client. Those records are protected by federal law (HIPAA), the laws of the state where you receive services, and the ethical standards of my profession, and they are described in my separate Notice of Privacy Practices.

By using the Website, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Website or submit information through it.

Information I Collect

I collect only the information I need to respond to you and to keep the Website working.

Information you choose to give me. When you fill out my HIPAA-compliant contact form, request a consultation, or subscribe to updates, I may receive your name, email address, phone number, state of residence, preferred contact method, and anything you write in your message. Providing this information is voluntary.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, the Website and its hosting provider may automatically collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring website, pages visited, and the date and time of your visit. I use this information in aggregate to understand how the Website is used. I do not use it to identify you personally.

Cookies and similar technologies. The Website may use cookies, which are small files stored on your device, to make the site function properly and to collect basic analytics. You can set your browser to refuse or delete cookies. Some parts of the Website may not work as intended if you do. I do not use cookies to track you across other websites for advertising purposes.

How I Use Your Information

I use the information I collect to:

  • Respond to your inquiries and schedule consultations

  • Confirm that I am licensed to provide services in the state where you are located

  • Send you information you have asked to receive, such as newsletters or practice updates

  • Maintain, secure, and improve the Website

  • Comply with my legal and professional obligations

I do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. I do not share it with anyone for their own marketing purposes, and I do not use it for targeted advertising.

How I Protect Website Inquiries

I use a HIPAA-compliant contact form for all inquiries made through the Website. Information you submit is encrypted in transit, stored securely, and handled by a provider that has signed a Business Associate Agreement with me. Because inquiries may include health information, I treat what you send through the form as Protected Health Information under my Notice of Privacy Practices.

Please use the contact form rather than regular email, which is not secure. Even with these protections, I recommend sharing only what I need to respond: your name, preferred contact information, state of residence, and a brief reason for reaching out. We can discuss the details of your situation once we connect directly.

Contacting me through the Website does not create a therapist-client relationship. That relationship begins only after we have both agreed to work together and you have completed my intake and consent paperwork.

The Website is not monitored for emergencies. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself or someone else, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.

Third-Party Services and Disclosure

I rely on a small number of trusted service providers to operate the Website and my practice, such as my website host, HIPAA-compliant contact form provider, email provider, telehealth and billing platforms, and analytics provider (Squarespace, Headway, Alma, Doxy.me). These providers may process your information on my behalf only as needed to provide their services. When a provider handles protected health information, I require a Business Associate Agreement as HIPAA requires.

The Website may contain links to other websites, such as professional directories or community resources. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites, and I encourage you to review their policies.

I may disclose information collected through the Website if I believe in good faith that doing so is required by law, such as in response to a subpoena or court order, or is necessary to protect someone's health or safety.

HIPAA and State Privacy Laws

Health information you submit through my contact form, and your health information once you become my client, is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and described in my Notice of Privacy Practices, which I provide at intake and which is available on request. If this Website Privacy Policy ever conflicts with my Notice of Privacy Practices regarding your clinical information, the Notice of Privacy Practices controls.

Because I am licensed in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida, I also follow the confidentiality, data security, and breach notification laws of each of those states. Where a state law gives you greater privacy protection than federal law, I follow the more protective standard. If a security incident ever affects your personal information, I will notify you as required by applicable federal and state law.

Security and Retention

I use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the information I receive, including encrypted connections (SSL) on the Website and secure, password-protected accounts. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, however, so I cannot guarantee absolute security.

If you contact me but do not become a client, I keep your inquiry only as long as needed to respond and for reasonable recordkeeping, and then I delete it. If you become a client, your records are kept for the period required by the laws of the state where you received services.

Children's Privacy

The Website is not directed to children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect their personal information online. If you are a parent or guardian seeking services for a minor, please contact me directly, and I will explain how I handle a minor's information. If you believe a child has submitted information through the Website, please let me know and I will delete it.

Your Choices

You may ask me to access, correct, or delete the personal information you submitted through the Website. You may unsubscribe from any email list at any time by using the link in the email or contacting me. Your rights regarding your clinical records are described in my Notice of Privacy Practices.

Changes to This Policy

I may update this policy from time to time. When I do, I will post the revised version on this page and update the effective date at the top. Your continued use of the Website after a change means you accept the updated policy.

Contact Me

If you have questions about this policy or how I handle your information, please contact me:

Annalise Baumgardt, LCSW 917-408-3293 info@annalisebaumgardtlcsw.com