Information We Collect
Miami Teen Counseling LLC ("we," "us," or "our"), owned and operated by Miguel Brown, M.S.Ed., LMFT (License #MT2915), collects information necessary to provide quality psychotherapy services to adolescents and their families. We may collect the following types of information:
Personal Identification Information: Name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email of clients and parents/guardians.- Clinical Information: Mental health history, presenting concerns, treatment notes, assessments, and progress records.
- Emergency Contact Information: Names and contact details for designated emergency contacts.
- Payment Information: Billing details necessary to process session payments.
- Website Data: Information automatically collected when you visit our website, such as IP addresses, browser type, and pages visited.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information collected to:
- Provide, manage, and improve psychotherapy services for adolescents and their families.
- Develop personalized treatment plans and track therapeutic progress.
- Schedule appointments and facilitate communication between therapist and clients.
- Process payments and maintain financial records as required by law.
- Comply with legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations in the State of Florida.
Confidentiality & HIPAA Compliance
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Florida, Miguel Brown adheres to strict confidentiality standards governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Florida state law.
All clinical information shared during therapy sessions is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed without your written consent, except as required or permitted by law.
We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal and state regulations to protect your personal health information (PHI). Our Notice of Privacy Practices provides additional detail and is available upon request.
Minors & Parental Consent
Our practice specializes in working with teenagers. Because our clients are minors, we require parental or legal guardian consent before beginning treatment. Parents and guardians should be aware of the following:
- Written consent from a parent or legal guardian is required prior to the commencement of therapy for clients under 18.
- While parents have a right to general information about treatment progress, therapist-client confidentiality is maintained to foster a safe therapeutic environment for the teen.
- Specific session content shared by the teen will not be disclosed to parents unless there is a safety concern, or as otherwise required by law.
The balance between parental involvement and teen confidentiality is discussed during the initial consultation.
Information Sharing & Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent personal information to third parties. We may disclose information only in the following circumstances:
Imminent Danger: If there is a risk of harm to the client or others, we are legally and ethically obligated to take protective action, which may include notifying appropriate parties.- Suspected Abuse or Neglect: Florida law mandates reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.
- Court Orders: If compelled by a valid court order, information may be disclosed as required by law.
- Written Authorization: Information may be shared with other providers or parties if you provide a signed release of information.
Website & Cookies
When you visit miamiteencounseling.com, we may automatically collect certain non-personal information, including your browser type, device, operating system, IP address, and pages visited. This data helps us understand how visitors use our site and improve the user experience.
Our website may use cookies — small text files stored on your device — to enhance functionality and analyze traffic. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain features of the website.
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Telehealth & Online Session Privacy
Miami Teen Counseling offers online psychotherapy sessions for convenience and consistency. We take the following measures to protect your privacy during telehealth sessions:
We use HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video platforms for all online sessions.- Sessions are not recorded unless specifically agreed upon in writing by all parties.
- Clients are encouraged to participate from a private, quiet location to ensure confidentiality on their end.
While we implement robust security measures, please be aware that no electronic transmission is entirely risk-free. We continually evaluate and improve our security practices.
Data Security
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal and clinical information:
Electronic records are stored in secure, encrypted, HIPAA-compliant systems with restricted access.- Physical records, if any, are kept in a secure location within our Coconut Grove office.
- Access to personal health information is limited to authorized personnel only.
- Records are retained and disposed of in accordance with Florida state law and HIPAA requirements.
Your Rights
Under HIPAA and Florida law, you have the right to:
- Request access to your clinical records or your child's records (subject to applicable law).
- Request corrections or amendments to your personal health information.
- Request restrictions on how your information is used or disclosed.
- Receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your information.
- File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated, without fear of retaliation.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.
Payment Information
Miami Teen Counseling is a private-pay practice. Payment information provided for session fees is processed securely. We do not store credit card numbers on our systems. Payment processing is handled by trusted, PCI-compliant third-party processors. As a private-pay practice, your clinical information is not shared with insurance companies, providing an additional layer of privacy.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or services. When changes are made, the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will be revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or have concerns about how your information is handled, please do not hesitate to reach out:
