Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: September 29, 2025
At Hope for the Journey, your privacy is our priority. All personal information shared through counseling sessions, whether in-person or virtual, is kept strictly confidential and handled in accordance with Sint Maarten’s privacy laws and international best practices. We use secure systems to protect your data and never share your information without your consent.
Introduction
Hope for the Journey (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining your trust. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information when you use our services, including both in-person counseling in Sint Maarten and virtual/telehealth sessions offered globally.
By accessing our website or engaging our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
Who We Are
Hope for the Journey provides professional counseling services in Sint Maarten and offers telehealth support to clients residing in the United States and other countries. Our services may include faith-based therapy, trauma recovery, mental health support, relationship counseling, and personal growth coaching.
What Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of information:
Personal Identifying Information
Name
Date of birth
Contact information (email, phone, address)
Emergency contact information
Health-Related Information
Mental health history
Counseling session notes
Diagnostic and treatment details (if applicable)
Health goals and concerns
Technical Data
IP address
Browser type and version
Location data (if you consent)
Device information
Website usage data via cookies and analytics tools (only with consent)
Payment Information
Billing name and address
Credit/debit card or payment processor information
Note: We use secure third-party payment processors.
How We Use Your Information
Your information is used for the following purposes:
To provide counseling and telehealth services
To assess your needs and develop a treatment plan
To manage appointments and communicate with you
To process payments and manage invoices
To comply with legal obligations in Sint Maarten, the U.S., and internationally
To improve our website and services
Legal Basis for Processing Data
For clients in Sint Maarten, our data handling complies with the Data Protection Ordinance, requiring lawful, fair, and transparent processing. We rely on:
Your explicit consent
The performance of a contract
Compliance with legal obligations
Protection of your or another’s vital interests
For U.S. residents, while we are not a HIPAA-covered entity, we follow best practices in handling sensitive health information through secure platforms.
How We Store and Protect Your Data
All data is stored using secure, encrypted platforms and password-protected systems.
We use industry-standard security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your data.
Data is retained only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law.
Data Transfers and International Clients
If you access our services from outside of Sint Maarten, including the United States, your data may be transferred to and processed in Sint Maarten and/or other jurisdictions.
We ensure that any such transfers comply with relevant data protection regulations, and we use secure methods of communication and storage for all virtual sessions.
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:
Access: Request a copy of your data
Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate data
Deletion: Request deletion of personal data where applicable
Objection: Object to data processing for specific reasons
Restriction: Request limits on how we use your data
Portability: Request transfer of your data to another provider (when feasible)
To exercise any of these rights, please complete the form on our website to contact us.
Cookies and Analytics
We use cookies only with your consent to improve your browsing experience and understand website usage. You may decline cookies through your browser settings. We do not use cookies to track health-related behaviors or private session content.
Third-Party Services
We may use trusted third-party platforms for:
Payment processing (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
Video sessions (e.g., Zoom for Healthcare or another HIPAA-aligned service)
Email communication (with encryption options)
These providers are contractually obligated to safeguard your information.
Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental or guardian consent. If you believe a child has provided us information without proper authorization, please contact us immediately.
Updates to this Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Material changes may also be communicated via email or through our website.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about your privacy, or if you wish to file a complaint, contact us.