Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 30, 2026
Website: compsychnm.com
Practice: Lisa Houston, PhD
Location: 1915 Swan Street, Silver City, NM | Telehealth statewide across New Mexico
Contact: (575) 221-0084 | compsychservices@proton.me

Lisa Houston, PhD (“the Practice,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used, protected, and shared when you visit this website or contact the Practice through the website.

This Privacy Policy applies to general website use. It does not replace the Practice’s HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, informed consent documents, or any separate clinical privacy disclosures provided to clients. If you become a client, your protected health information is handled according to applicable federal and New Mexico law, professional confidentiality rules, and the Practice’s HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

1. Not for Emergencies

This website is not intended for emergencies or urgent clinical communication.

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Do not use this website or regular email to communicate urgent, emergency, or highly sensitive clinical information.

2. Information We May Collect

We may collect information in the following ways:

Information You Provide Directly

You may choose to provide information when you contact the Practice by phone, email, or another communication method provided on the website. This may include:

• Your name
• Email address
• Phone number
• General message content
• Preferred contact method
• Basic scheduling or inquiry information
• Any information you choose to include in your message

Please do not send detailed clinical information, diagnosis history, insurance details, Social Security numbers, payment card information, or other highly sensitive information through regular email unless specifically instructed to do so through a secure system.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Operating system
• Pages visited
• Date and time of visit
• Referring website
• General website usage information

This information is used to operate, secure, and improve the website.

3. Cookies and Analytics

The website may use cookies, analytics tools, or similar technologies to understand how visitors use the site and to improve performance.

Cookies are small files stored on your device. You may be able to disable cookies through your browser settings. Some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

If the website uses tools such as Google Analytics, those tools may collect information about website usage, device type, location at a general level, and visitor behavior. We do not use analytics tools to intentionally collect clinical information.

4. How We Use Information

We may use information collected through the website to:

• Respond to inquiries
• Provide information about services
• Schedule or manage consultations or appointments
• Improve website content and functionality
• Maintain website security
• Prevent spam, misuse, or unauthorized access
• Comply with legal, professional, or regulatory obligations
• Maintain business and administrative records

We do not sell personal information.

5. Health Information and HIPAA

If you are a client or become a client, information related to your care may be protected health information under HIPAA and other applicable laws.

Clinical records, treatment information, billing information, and other protected health information are handled according to the Practice’s HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

This website Privacy Policy covers general website activity. The HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices explains how medical and mental health information may be used and disclosed, your rights regarding that information, and the Practice’s responsibilities.

A copy of the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is available upon request and should also be made available through this website.

6. Confidentiality

The Practice takes confidentiality seriously. Information shared in the course of professional psychological services is protected by federal law, New Mexico law, and professional ethical standards.

There are legal limits to confidentiality. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Risk of serious harm to self or others
• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult
• Court orders or other legal requirements
• Certain health, safety, or professional reporting obligations
• Other circumstances allowed or required by law

These limits are explained more fully in the Practice’s informed consent materials and HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

7. Email and Website Communication

Regular email and general website communication may not be fully secure. While we take reasonable steps to protect information, no method of electronic communication or internet transmission is completely secure.

By sending information through email or another online communication method, you understand that there may be privacy risks. For sensitive clinical or billing matters, the Practice may direct you to use a secure portal, phone call, or other appropriate communication method.

8. Sharing of Information

We may share information only as necessary and appropriate, including with:

• Service providers who help operate the website, email, scheduling, billing, analytics, security, or administrative systems
• Professional advisors, such as legal, accounting, compliance, or technology providers
• Government, regulatory, or legal authorities when required by law
• Other parties with your written authorization or as permitted by applicable law

Service providers are expected to protect information and use it only for the services they provide.

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information for marketing purposes.

9. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

These measures may include secure hosting, access controls, software updates, spam protection, malware protection, secure passwords, encryption where appropriate, and limited access to personal information.

No website or electronic system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

10. Data Retention and Disposal

We retain information only as long as reasonably necessary for business, clinical, legal, professional, or regulatory purposes.

When information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to dispose of it securely. This may include deleting, erasing, shredding, or otherwise making information unreadable or inaccessible.

Clinical records may be subject to separate retention requirements.

11. Data Breach Notification

If a security incident affects personal identifying information or protected health information, the Practice will review the incident and provide notice when required by applicable federal or New Mexico law.

Notification may be provided by mail, email, website notice, or other legally permitted methods, depending on the nature of the incident and the information involved.

12. Children’s Privacy

This website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13.

Children under 13 should not send personal information by email or through another online communication method. Parents or legal guardians should contact the Practice directly if they are seeking services for a minor.

If we learn that personal information has been collected from a child under 13 through website-related communication without appropriate parental or guardian involvement, we will take reasonable steps to delete that information.

13. Third-Party Links

This website may include links to third-party websites, portals, scheduling tools, payment processors, maps, professional directories, or external resources.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security, or policies of third-party websites. You should review the privacy policy of any third-party service you use.

14. Online Payments

If online payment options are offered, payments may be processed through a third-party payment provider. The Practice does not intentionally collect or store full payment card information through this website unless clearly stated.

Payment processors have their own privacy and security policies.

15. Your Choices

You may contact the Practice to:

• Ask what personal information may have been collected through website use or provided by phone or email
• Request correction of contact information
• Ask that non-clinical inquiry information be deleted, where legally permitted
• Request a copy of the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
• Ask questions about privacy practices

Clinical records and protected health information are handled according to HIPAA, New Mexico law, and the Practice’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

16. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this website with a revised effective date.

Your continued use of the website after updates are posted means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.

17. Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact:

Lisa Houston, PhD
1915 Swan Street
Silver City, NM
(575) 221-0084
compsychservices@proton.me

For emergencies, do not use this contact information. Call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or call/text 988.