Somatic Psychotherapy LLC - Sybil Ottenstein Mental Health Counselor, PLLC (DBA Somatic Psychotherapy)
Effective Date: Oct 22, 2026
1. What this policy covers
This policy explains how we handle information when you visit somaticpsychotherapycenter.com, contact us, or book a consultation through the site.
It does not describe how we handle your therapy records. Once you become a client, our Notice of Privacy Practices https://somaticpsychotherapycenter.com explains that. It follows HIPAA and New York law, and you will receive it at intake.
2. Please do not send private clinical details through the site
Our contact form, email, and text are not the right place to describe your symptoms, history, or medications. Share the basics (name, contact information, what you are looking for) and save the rest for your consultation or sessions, which happen on secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms.
3. What we collect
What you give us: your name, email, phone number, the message you write, your scheduling choices, and your newsletter sign-up.
What is collected automatically: your browser and device type, the pages you view, how you click and scroll, and the page you came from. We collect it with cookies and similar tools.
From our partners: if you use Reimbursify to check your out-of-network benefits, that information goes to them under their own terms. We encourage you to read them.
4. How we use it
• To reply to your inquiry and schedule your consultation.
• To run, secure, and improve the website, and to block spam.
• To send our newsletter, if you want it.
• To understand which pages help people find us.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not use what you submit through the website to build advertising profiles.
5. Cookies and tracking
We use cookies and similar tools for three purposes:
• Essential: to make the site work and keep it secure.
• Analytics: to see how the site is used, through Google Analytics, Google Search Console, & Google Tag Manager.
You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, or turn on Global Privacy Control, and we will honor it. Some browsers send a "Do Not Track" signal. There is no industry standard for it, so we treat it as an opt-out request.
Our site also includes embedded Google Maps and video, which may set their own cookies.
6. Who we share information with
Only people who help us run the practice, and only what they need:
• Website, hosting, email, and scheduling providers.
• Secure telehealth, billing, and payment providers.
• Analytics providers.
• Our licensed medical partners, only for KAP clients and only with your written consent.
• Insurance or benefits tools (like Reimbursify), only when you choose to use them.
• Law enforcement, courts, or regulators, when the law requires it.
7. Limits to confidentiality
Therapy is confidential, with a few exceptions required by law. These include suspected abuse or neglect of a child, a serious and imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else, a valid court order, and a few other situations described in our Notice of Privacy Practices. We never share your records without your written permission, except where the law allows or requires it.
8. Newsletter and email
Your inquiry does not sign you up for marketing unless you check the box. Every email has an unsubscribe link. You can also email us to opt out.
9. Online sessions
We use a HIPAA-compliant video platform. We do not record sessions unless you agree in writing. If we ever use AI tools to transcribe or summarize sessions, we will explain this and ask for your written consent first. - WE DO NOT USE AI TO TRANSCRIBE OR SUMMARIZE
10. Insurance and billing
We are an out-of-network practice. We provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurer or through Reimbursify. Submitting it shares your diagnosis and treatment dates with your insurer, so please decide what you want to share before you submit it.
11. How long we keep information
We keep website inquiries for 12 to 24 months unless you become a client. We keep clinical records for as long as New York law requires confirmed
12. Security
We use encryption, access controls, secure servers, and regular security checks. No system is perfectly secure. If a breach affects your information, we will notify you and the authorities as federal and New York law requires.
13. Your rights
• Your therapy records: you can ask to see them, get a copy, request corrections, ask who we have shared them with, and request limits on use. Details are in the Notice of Privacy Practices.
• Website information: you can ask us to tell you what we have collected, correct it, or delete it. Email [privacy email]. hello@somaticpsychotherapycenter.com
• State rights: residents of some states, including California, have additional rights. Email us and we will honor valid requests. Health information protected by HIPAA is handled under HIPAA instead.
We reply within 30 days.
14. Age
This website is for people 16 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 16 through the site. If you think we have, contact us and we will delete it. [Confirm how minor clients are handled at intake.] We only work with folks 18 and above
15. Third-party links and social media
We link to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other sites. We do not control them. Please do not send private health information through social media messages.
16. Changes
We will update the Effective Date when this policy changes.
17. Contact
Privacy contact:Sybil Ottenstein, Owner [Name and title], Somatic Psychotherapy, 36 Waverly Ave, Brooklyn, NY [ZIP] 11205
hello@somaticpsychotherapycenter.com | (929) 577-6670