Privacy Policy

GDC

Goal Driven Counseling, Coaching & Consulting Wellness Services

Website Privacy Policy

Created: September 24, 2017 · Last Updated: October 5, 2026

Douglass Enterprises LLC d/b/a Goal Driven Counseling, Coaching & Consulting Wellness Services ("GDC," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. GDC is a trade name and DBA of Douglass Enterprises LLC. This Website Privacy Policy describes how Douglass Enterprises LLC, operating as GDC, collects, uses, discloses, and protects information when you visit the GDC website, submit website forms, communicate with us, register for services or resources, participate in the Clinical Community, or otherwise interact with GDC online.

1. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through GDC's public-facing website and related online services that link to this policy. GDC also provides counseling and other healthcare-related services. Information created, received, maintained, or transmitted by GDC in its capacity as a healthcare provider may be subject to additional federal or state privacy requirements. This Website Privacy Policy is not GDC's HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. Where information constitutes Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA or other applicable healthcare privacy law, GDC's Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable healthcare privacy requirements govern our handling of that information. If there is a conflict between this Website Privacy Policy and GDC's Notice of Privacy Practices regarding PHI, the Notice of Privacy Practices controls.

2. Information We May Collect

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

  • name and contact information, including email address, telephone number, and mailing or geographic information;
  • organization, employer, job title, professional role, or other business information;
  • communication preferences and service interests;
  • appointment, consultation, or scheduling information;
  • responses submitted through website forms;
  • messages, questions, or other content you send to us;
  • event, course, Clinical Community, product, or resource registration information;
  • employment, contracting, internship, or practicum application information; and
  • other information you choose to provide. Depending on how you interact with GDC, information may relate to counseling inquiries, company or consulting inquiries, educational services, digital products, events, employment opportunities, or other GDC services. Please provide only information reasonably necessary for the purpose of the form or service you are using.

3. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the GDC website, certain technical information may be collected automatically through our website, hosting provider, cookies, logs, analytics tools, or similar technologies. This may include your Internet Protocol address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring website, pages viewed, approximate geographic area, date and time of access, interactions with website features, and similar technical information. We may use this information to operate the website, understand how visitors use it, improve usability, maintain security, diagnose technical problems, and evaluate website performance.

4. Cookies and Similar Technologies

GDC may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality and understand how visitors interact with the site. These technologies may include cookies necessary for core functionality, preference cookies, analytics technologies, embedded-content technologies, or other tools used to improve website performance. Your browser may allow you to block or delete cookies. Doing so may affect the functionality of certain website features. Where applicable law requires additional consent or controls for particular cookies or technologies, GDC will provide those controls.

5. How We Use Information

GDC may use information we collect to:

  • provide or respond to services, information, products, or resources you request;
  • respond to questions and inquiries;
  • coordinate initial counseling appointments, consultations, or other requested meetings;
  • communicate about company and consulting engagements, including Alignment Calls;
  • administer Clinical Community learning, events, continuing education, or resources;
  • process forms, applications, registrations, and transactions;
  • provide administrative or customer support;
  • maintain client, partner, learner, applicant, or customer relationships;
  • operate, secure, maintain, and improve the website and related services;
  • prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents;
  • comply with legal, regulatory, professional, contractual, or recordkeeping obligations; and
  • carry out other purposes disclosed when information is collected or with your consent.

6. Text Messaging

If you provide a mobile telephone number and consent to receive text messages, GDC may use that number for limited communications related to your inquiry, initial appointment scheduling, organizational-service inquiries, Alignment Calls, or other communications you specifically request. GDC does not use ordinary text messaging as an ongoing channel for counseling care or substantive clinical communication. Once an individual becomes an established counseling client, care-related communications are handled through GDC's HIPAA-secure client portal or HIPAA-secure email system, as appropriate. Message frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of applicable text messages by replying STOP or by communicating your request through another reasonable method. Additional information is available in GDC's Messaging Terms & Conditions. Mobile telephone numbers, text-message opt-in information, and messaging consent are not sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

7. Email Communications

If you subscribe to GDC email updates, newsletters, professional resources, or other communications, we may use your email address to send the content you requested. You may unsubscribe from promotional email communications using the unsubscribe mechanism included in the message.

Administrative or service-related emails may continue when necessary to provide a service you requested or maintain an existing relationship. Once an individual becomes an established counseling client, care-related email communications are conducted through GDC's HIPAA-secure email system or secure client portal, as appropriate.

8. Forms, Scheduling, Portals, and Other Service Providers

GDC uses third-party technology and service providers to support website and business functions. These may include website hosting, form processing, appointment scheduling, secure client portals, learning-management systems, payment processing, email communications, text messaging, analytics, file storage, customer support, and security services. When you interact with an embedded form, scheduling tool, portal, payment system, or other external platform, information may be processed by that provider on GDC's behalf or under the provider's own applicable terms and privacy practices. GDC seeks to use service providers appropriate to the information and service involved. Where PHI is involved and required by law, GDC uses applicable healthcare privacy and contractual safeguards.

9. How We May Share Information

GDC may disclose information to vendors, contractors, and service providers that perform functions on our behalf. We may also disclose information when necessary to comply with applicable law, respond to lawful legal process or government requests, protect the safety or rights of GDC or others, detect or prevent fraud or misuse, enforce agreements, or address security concerns. Information may also be disclosed in connection with a business reorganization, merger, acquisition, financing, or transfer of business assets, subject to applicable legal requirements. GDC does not authorize service providers to use personal information entrusted to them for unrelated purposes. Mobile opt-in information and consent will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their independent marketing or promotional purposes.

10. Sale or Sharing of Personal Information

GDC does not sell mobile numbers or SMS consent information. GDC does not intend to operate its website as a business that sells individuals' personal information. If GDC's use of website technologies changes in a way that constitutes a sale, sharing, or targeted advertising under an applicable privacy law, we will provide disclosures and choices required by that law.

11. Health and Clinical Information

Some interactions with GDC involve sensitive health or clinical information. Public website forms, ordinary email, standard text messaging, and social media should not be used to send detailed clinical information unless GDC specifically directs you to an appropriate secure system. When an individual becomes an established counseling client, GDC uses designated secure systems, including its HIPAA-secure client portal and HIPAA-secure email server, for ongoing care-related communications. Clinical records and PHI are governed by GDC's Notice of Privacy Practices, HIPAA where applicable, and other applicable healthcare privacy requirements.

12. Employment, Contracting, Internship, and Practicum Applications

If you apply for employment, contracting opportunities, internships, or field-practicum opportunities with GDC, we may collect information such as your resume or CV, contact information, professional credentials, educational history, employment experience, video introduction, references, and other application information. We use this information to evaluate applicants, communicate regarding current or future opportunities, maintain GDC's Talent Community, satisfy legal obligations, and administer recruiting processes. Submission of an application does not guarantee an interview, placement, or employment opportunity.

13. Company and Consulting Inquiries

When you submit a company or consulting inquiry, GDC may collect information about you, your organization, your role, who you hope to support, organizational needs, areas or services you are considering, desired outcomes, budget or timing information, and scheduling preferences. We use this information to evaluate the inquiry, prepare for an Alignment Call, recommend or design appropriate services, communicate with organizational representatives, and administer potential or existing engagements.

14. Clinical Community and Educational Services

If you register for GDC courses, continuing education, events, consultations, or other Clinical Community resources, we may collect registration information, professional information, course participation, completion records, event information, and related data. Information required for continuing education or professional credentialing may be retained as required by applicable accreditation, professional, contractual, or legal requirements.

15. Products and Payments

If you purchase a product, resource, course, or other paid offering, GDC or a third-party payment provider may collect information necessary to process the transaction. GDC may receive transaction information such as your name, amount paid, transaction date, payment status, and related records but may not receive or store complete payment- card information where that information is processed directly by the payment provider.

16. Social Media and External Websites

Our website may contain links to social networks, third-party websites, embedded media, or other external services. When you leave the GDC website or interact with a third-party service, that provider's privacy policies and practices may apply. GDC is not responsible for the privacy practices of websites or platforms that we do not control.

17. Data Security

GDC uses administrative, technical, and physical safeguards that we believe are reasonable and appropriate for the nature of the information we maintain. However, no website, email system, wireless transmission, database, or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure. You should use appropriate caution when sending sensitive information electronically and use designated secure clinical systems when instructed.

18. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, to provide services, maintain business and professional records, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, meet healthcare or professional recordkeeping requirements, and comply with applicable law. Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and the context in which it was collected. Clinical records are subject to separate healthcare and professional retention requirements.

19. Your Privacy Choices

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights concerning personal information about you. These may include rights to request access, correction, deletion, or information about how personal information is used or disclosed. Some information may be exempt from these requests or may need to be retained because of healthcare, legal, contractual, billing, professional, or recordkeeping obligations. To make a privacy request, contact GDC using the information below. If your request concerns a clinical record or PHI, it may be handled under GDC's Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable healthcare law rather than this Website Privacy Policy.

20. Children and Minors

GDC may provide professional services to adolescents where appropriate, but this public website is not designed to solicit personal information directly from children under 13 without appropriate parental or guardian involvement. Parents or guardians who believe a child has submitted personal information through the public website inappropriately may contact GDC. Clinical services involving minors are governed by applicable consent, confidentiality, healthcare, and professional-practice requirements.

21. Emergency Communications

The GDC website, contact forms, email accounts, text messaging, and social media channels are not monitored as emergency services. Do not use these channels to report an emergency or seek immediate crisis intervention. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For suicide or mental-health crisis support in the United States, call or text 988.

22. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as our services, technologies, vendors, or legal obligations change. When we make changes, we will update the Last Updated date at the top of this page. Material changes may also be communicated through additional notices when appropriate.

Contact Us

Douglass Enterprises LLC
d/b/a Goal Driven Counseling, Coaching & Consulting Wellness Services
Email: admin@gdcwellnessservices.com
Phone: (314) 208-0854
Mailing Address:
2200 N. Hwy 67
Unit Box 125
Florissant, MO 63033

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

PRIVACY POLICY

This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used, disclosed, and how you can access this information. Please read it carefully. Maintaining privacy of your information is of the highest importance for Goal Driven Counseling (GDC). We are required by applicable federal and state law to maintain the privacy of your personal health information (PHI). We are also required to give you this notice about privacy practices, legal obligations, and your rights concerning your PHI. We must follow the privacy practices that are described in this Notice (which may be amended periodically). For more information about privacy practices, or for additional copies of this Notice, please speak with your clinician directly or contact a member of our team via the information in Section II G of this Notice.

I. USES AND DISCLOSURES OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)

A. Permissible uses and disclosures without your written authorizationUnchanged:

GDC may use and disclose PHI without your written authorization, excluding psychotherapy notes as described in Section II, for certain purposes as described below. The examples provided in each category are not meant to be exhaustive, but instead are meant to describe the types of uses and disclosures that are permissible under federal and state law.


1. Treatment: GDC may use and disclose PHI to provide treatment to you. For example, your clinician may provide information to any family members or significant others that you voluntarily decide to bring to and include in a counseling session. Your clinician may disclose your PHI, except for identifying information, during professional clinical supervision and/or consultation, to ethically provide you the highest quality services.


2. Health Care Operations: GDC may use and disclose PHI in connection with health care operations such as quality improvement activities, certifications, licensing or credentialing activities.


3. Required or Permitted by Law: GDC may use or disclose PHI when it is required or permitted to do so by law. For example, your clinician may disclose PHI to appropriate authorities if I reasonably believe that you or a child are a possible victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence or the possible victim of other crimes. In addition, your clinician may disclose PHI to the extent necessary to avert a serious threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of others.


Other disclosures permitted or required by law include the following: disclosures for public health activities; health oversight activities including disclosures to state or federal agencies authorized to access PHI; disclosures to judicial and law enforcement officials in response to a court order or other lawful process; disclosures for research when approved by an institutional review board; and disclosures to military or national security agencies, coroners, medical examiners, and correctional institutions or otherwise as authorized by law.


B. Uses and disclosures requiring your written authorizationUnchanged:

1. Psychotherapy Notes: Notes your clinician records to document the contents of a counseling session with you will be used only by your clinician and will not otherwise be used or disclosed without your written authorization.


2. Marketing Communications: GDC will not use your health information for marketing or fundraising communications without your written authorization. You have the right to opt out of any marketing or fundraising communications that you choose not to receive.


3. Other Uses and Disclosures: Uses and disclosures other than those described in Section I.A. above will only be made with your written authorization. For example, you will need to sign an authorization form before GDC can send PHI to your school, attorney, doctor, etc. You may revoke any such authorization at any time.


II. YOUR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

A. Right to Inspect and Copy: You may request access to your medical record and billing records maintained by GDC to inspect and request copies of the records. All requests for access must be made in writing. Under limited circumstances, GDC may deny access to your records. GDC may charge a fee for the costs of copying and sending you any records requested. If you are a parent or legal guardian of a minor, please note that certain portions of the minor’s medical record may not be accessible to you, in accordance with state law. You have the right to an electronic communication of any records that GDC keeps electronically.


B. Right to Alternative Communications: You may request, and GDC will accommodate, any reasonable written request for you to receive PHI by alternative means of communication or at alternative locations.


C. Right to Request Restrictions. You have the right to request a restriction on PHI used for disclosure for treatment, payment or health care operations. You must request any such restriction in writing addressed to the Clinical Director as indicated below. GDC is not required to agree to any such restriction you may request.


D. Right to Disclosure of Breach. You have the right to be notified by GDC if a privacy breach of your PHI has occurred. If such a breach occurred, you would be notified within a reasonable time.


F. Right to Obtain Notice. You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice by submitting a request at any time.


G. Questions and Complaints. If you desire further information about your privacy rights, or are concerned that GDC has violated your privacy rights, you may contact our Clinical Director, Melissa Douglass, at (855) 524-5222 ext 4. You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201 or calling 1-877-696-6775. GDC will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.


III. EFFECTIVE DATE AND CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

A. Effective Date: This Notice is effective on September 24, 2017

B. Changes to this Notice: GDC may change the terms of this Notice at any time. If GDC changes this Notice, it may make the new notice terms effective for all PHI that it maintains, including any information created or received prior to issuing the new notice. If GDC changes this Notice, you can obtain a copy by contacting our team or printing it here.

Our ability to send text messages is currently limited. We apologize for any inconvenience. Calls and email are still available.