Policies & Legal

Revised Date: 10/3/25

Welcome to the Policies page for Northern Light Counseling (“we,” “us,” “our”). This page contains our Privacy Practices, Terms & Conditions, and Disclaimer — including how counseling may be provided by interns or pre-licensed clinicians under supervision.

Your privacy is important to us. This section describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal and health information when you use our website or receive services from Northern Light Counseling.

• Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, and other contact details you voluntarily provide (for contact, booking, forms).
   
• Health Information / PHI: As a counseling client, we collect protected health information necessary for evaluation, treatment, progress, and clinical documentation.
   
• Intern / Trainee Records: If services are provided by interns or pre-licensed clinicians, we may maintain supervision notes, session summaries, and training records (protected under confidentiality).
   
• Payment Information: Processed via third-party payment processors.
   
• Website Data: Cookies, analytics, IP addresses, usage logs, and technical metadata (to improve site function, monitor traffic, and diagnose issues).
   

We may use or disclose your information (including PHI) in the following ways:

• To provide counseling, therapy, and wellness services (delivered by clinicians, interns, or supervised trainees).
   
• To schedule appointments, process billing or insurance claims, and manage accounts.
   
• To communicate with you (appointment reminders, administrative updates, service information).
   
• For internal operations, including supervision, quality assurance, training, auditing, and recordkeeping.
   
• With your authorization for other uses (e.g. releasing records to other providers).
   
• As required or permitted by law (e.g. reporting abuse, compliance with legal orders, emergencies).
   
• To third-party service providers (Business Associates) such as EHR platforms, scheduling software, IT providers, legal or accounting services; these providers are contractually obligated to protect your information under applicable confidentiality and HIPAA standards.
   

Intern / Supervision Context:
When interns or pre-licensed clinicians provide services, relevant clinical information (session summaries, supervision notes) may be reviewed by a licensed supervisor. Disclosures are limited to the minimum necessary required for supervision and client care. Interns are bound by the same confidentiality obligations as licensed clinicians.

• We comply with the federal HIPAA Privacy Rule and any applicable state laws regarding the confidentiality of PHI.
   
• You have rights under HIPAA (and applicable state law), including rights to access, amend, and request an accounting of disclosures of your PHI.
   
• We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your PHI and personal data.
   
• In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, we will notify you and authorities in accordance with applicable law.
   
• If we materially change this policy, we will update this page and the Revised Date to reflect changes.
   

You have the following rights:

1. Access / Copy: Request access to your PHI or a copy (or summary) of it, with limited exceptions.
    
2. Amendment: Request corrections or amendments to your PHI.
    
3. Accounting of Disclosures: Request a list of times your PHI was disclosed, beyond routine treatment, payment, and operations.
    
4. Restrictions: Request limits on certain uses or disclosures (we may accept or decline).
    
5. Confidential Communications: Ask that we use alternative communications methods or locations (e.g. alternate email or mailing address).
    
6. Revoke Authorization: Withdraw any permission you have given for use/disclosure (except where we already relied on it).
    

To exercise any of these rights or for questions, contact us at the information below.

• Content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only.
   
• Nothing on this site constitutes medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
   
• You agree not to misuse the site (e.g. attempting to interfere with its operation or access restricted areas).
   

• Counseling may be provided by licensed clinicians, interns, or pre-licensed clinicians under supervision.
   
• A therapist-client relationship is formed only after intake, consent, and appropriate paperwork are completed.
   
• Use of the website or wellness content alone does not establish a therapeutic relationship.
   

• All website content (text, images, logos, graphics) is owned by or licensed to Northern Light Counseling unless noted otherwise.
   
• You may not copy, distribute, modify, or publish any content without prior written permission.
   

• Northern Light Counseling is not liable for any damages resulting from your use (or inability to use) the website or services.
   
• We make no guarantees about outcomes from counseling, wellness services, or content on this site. Individual results may vary.
   

• We may update these Terms & Conditions at any time.
   
• Your continued use of the site after changes indicates your acceptance of those revisions.
   

• Services (counseling, wellness, salt cave, sound healing, yoga, etc.) are intended for supportive, complementary, educational, and wellness purposes.
   
• They are not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, or care from licensed medical professionals.
   
• Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical or psychiatric concerns.
   

• Counseling by licensed clinicians is provided under ethical and legal standards of confidentiality and care.
   
• Interns or trainees providing services operate under supervision and are bound by confidentiality, though their work may be reviewed by supervisors.
   
• This website’s content should not replace direct evaluation or therapy by qualified professionals.
   

If you are in crisis, having suicidal thoughts, or experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.

While clients often benefit from counseling and wellness services, individual outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Contact Us:
Northern Light Counseling
951 Main St, Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: 570-280-6321
Email: northernlightcounseling@gmail.com
Website: www.northernlightcounseling.org