Privacy and confidentiality information
Privacy Policy
How Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC handles privacy, records, and common communication methods
Effective Date: March 20, 2026
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This page explains how Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC handles privacy, confidentiality, records, and common forms of communication. It is meant to provide a clear, readable overview of the practice's privacy approach.
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This page does not replace the full informed consent or the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. Those documents provide additional detail about treatment, records, and legal rights.
Privacy, confidentiality, and website use
Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC takes privacy and confidentiality seriously. Information shared in therapy is generally kept private and is not released without written permission from the client or, when legally applicable, the client's parent or legal guardian.
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There are important exceptions. Information may be used or disclosed when required or permitted by law, when needed for treatment and practice operations, or when necessary to address serious safety concerns.
How information is collected
The practice may receive information through phone calls, voicemail, email, text messages, the secure client portal, scheduling requests, billing activity, and general website inquiries.
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If you become a client, information related to services, scheduling, billing, and communication may be maintained as part of the client record when appropriate.
How information may be used or shared
Information may be used within the practice to provide care, manage scheduling, process payments, maintain records, coordinate services, and support routine practice operations.
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Information may also be disclosed with written authorization or when disclosure is required or permitted by law.
Examples may include:
sharing information when a valid written release has been provided
responding to safety concerns involving a serious threat of harm
making legally required reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation
responding to a lawful court order or other legally valid process
using billing or collection support when balances remain unpaid
consulting with trusted professionals to support quality care
Communication methods and privacy limits
Email may be used for general administrative matters. Unencrypted email is discouraged for clinical matters because it can be misdirected, intercepted, or accessed by unauthorized people. Emails related to services may become part of the client record.
Text messages
Texting should be used for brief, practical communication only. It is not the right place for detailed clinical information. Text messages may become part of the client record, and there is always some privacy risk when using text messaging.
Voicemail
Voicemail is password protected and monitored during regular business operations. It is still best to keep messages reasonably limited and not use voicemail for urgent mental health emergencies.
Secure client portal
For active clients, the secure client portal is the preferred option for protected message sharing, billing access, and certain scheduling and document needs.
Appointment reminders
Appointment reminders may be available by email and text based on your preferences. These reminders are convenient, but they are not private to the same standard as secure portal communication because they may reveal appointment details, provider name, and client name to anyone with access to the device or account.
Social media
The practice does not use social media as a treatment communication channel. Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC does not accept friend requests or connect with current or former clients on social platforms. Public engagement with business pages may reduce your privacy, and the practice does not respond to therapy-related communication through social media.
Records, retention, and access
The practice maintains records in a HIPAA-compliant electronic records system. Consistent with the practice policies, records are generally retained for at least seven years.
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Clients and, when legally applicable, parents or legal guardians may request access to records or a summary of records. In limited situations, access may be restricted when release would be unsafe, legally limited, or otherwise inappropriate under applicable rules.
Privacy for children and teens
When the client is a minor, privacy works differently than it does for adults. Parents and legal guardians often have important rights related to treatment and records. At the same time, therapy is usually more effective when a child or teen has an appropriate sense of privacy inside the treatment process.
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Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC works to balance those realities carefully by protecting the therapeutic relationship while still sharing information with parents or legal guardians when clinically relevant, legally necessary, or related to safety.
Website forms and online safety
Standard website contact forms are not intended for secure clinical communication. Please keep website messages brief and general.
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Do not use a standard website form to send protected health information, urgent concerns, or detailed clinical information. More sensitive information can be shared later through appropriate channels if services move forward.
Questions about privacy
This Privacy Policy works alongside the practice's HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. You can access the HIPAA Notice here.
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If you have questions about privacy, communication preferences, or records, contact the office directly before sharing sensitive details online.
Jennifer Wisser-Stokes Counseling LLC
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1858 N Alafaya Trail, Suite 208, Orlando, FL 32826
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