Privacy policy
Purpose
Empath Psychiatry, LLC ("the Clinic") is committed to protecting the privacy of all visitors to our website and the confidentiality of personal and health information submitted through our digital tools. This Website Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose information submitted through our website, and outlines the protections in place for any personal or protected health information (PHI) that may be entered.
Scope
This policy applies to all users of Empath Psychiatry’s website, including prospective and current patients, and applies to all information collected via forms, integrations, embedded tools, and communications platforms linked to or from our site.
Information We Collect
We may collect personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) through the following:
Contact Forms
Visitors may submit their name, email address, and a message through our website’s “Contact Us” form.
This information is used solely for responding to inquiries and is never shared or sold.
PHQ-9 Assessment Tool
A link is provided on our website to a PHQ-9 questionnaire hosted and powered by Neuronetics.
Responses are transmitted directly into our Charm EHR system and used exclusively for clinical evaluation and care planning.
Appointment Request Portal (Embedded Charm EHR iFrame)
New and existing patients may use the embedded portal to request appointments, change existing appointments, or submit intake information.
These forms may collect PHI, including name, contact information, medical history, and treatment details.
All information submitted through this system is encrypted and stored solely in our HIPAA-compliant Charm EHR platform.
SMS Messaging
Users may receive appointment reminders or administrative messages through SMS.
All messaging complies with our vendor’s SMS Compliance and Security Standards and does not include sensitive PHI unless encrypted or user-authorized.
Phone numbers submitted for SMS communication are used only for clinical communication and not for marketing purposes.
Use of Information
Information submitted through the website is used exclusively for:
Responding to inquiries
Scheduling appointments
Coordinating care and communications with patients
Clinical evaluation (e.g., PHQ-9)
Practice operations and administrative functions
We do not share, sell, or disclose your information to any third party without your express, written consent, unless required by law.
HIPAA and Emergency Disclaimer
While our website and associated tools interface with HIPAA-compliant platforms (e.g., Charm EHR), this website is not intended for use in emergencies.
If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, do not use this website. Please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Data Security
All digital tools used on the site (Charm EHR, NeuroStar links, RingCentral SMS) are HIPAA-compliant platforms.
Data is transmitted via secure, encrypted connections (HTTPS/SSL).
Access to submitted data is restricted to authorized clinic personnel and stored in secure environments (e.g., Charm EHR).
Children’s Privacy
Empath Psychiatry, LLC provides services to patients aged 15 and older. This website is not intended for unsupervised use by children under the age of 15.
If you are under 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian’s supervision when using this website or submitting any information.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 15 without the involvement of a guardian.
Accessibility and Compliance
We are committed to maintaining a website that is accessible to all users, regardless of ability. If you experience any difficulty using the website or have accessibility concerns, please contact us at:
We strive to comply with all applicable federal and Louisiana state laws governing healthcare privacy and digital communication.
Changes to This Policy
This policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our internal practices. A notice will be posted on our website when substantive updates are made.
Contact Us
For privacy-related questions or concerns, please contact:
Empath Psychiatry, LLC
Email: info@empathpsychiatry.com
920 Pierremont Rd, Ste 205, Shreveport, LA 71106
Phone: (318) 632-7426