Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: April 1, 2026

At Next Wave Counseling, we respect your privacy and understand that reaching out to a mental health practice is personal. Any information you share through this website is handled with care, discretion, and professionalism.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who can access it, and your rights regarding your personal data.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you fill out a contact form, book an introductory call, or contact us through the website, you may provide:

  • First and last name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • A brief description of what you are seeking support with

  • Any other information you choose to include in your message

Because this is a mental health practice, even basic contact information may be sensitive. We treat it accordingly.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically through our website platform, including:

  • IP address and approximate location

  • Browser type and version

  • Device type

  • Pages visited

  • Time spent on pages

  • Referring website or search query

  • Date and time of visit

This information is used for analytics, performance, and security. It is not collected to personally identify you.

Who Can Access Your Information

Practice Owner Access Only

Information submitted through this website is received directly by Kyle Harwick, LMFT. Form submissions are not routinely accessed by staff, contractors, or outside parties.

Website Platform

Our website is hosted by Squarespace. As the platform provider, Squarespace may process data as part of operating and maintaining the website. Their handling of data is governed by their own privacy policy.

No Selling or Sharing for Marketing

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

How We Use Your Information

We use information submitted through the website only to:

  • Respond to your inquiry

  • Schedule an introductory call or consultation

  • Determine whether our services may be a good fit

  • Share important information about the practice

  • Maintain records as required by law or professional obligations

We do not use your information for unrelated purposes without your consent.

Confidentiality and Mental Health Privacy

Next Wave Counseling is a licensed therapy practice. Information related to clients and prospective clients is handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with applicable privacy standards and professional obligations.

This includes compliance, where applicable, with:

  • HIPAA

  • California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA)

  • CAMFT and AAMFT ethical guidelines

  • LMFT licensing obligations in California

Important Note

Website contact forms are not a secure HIPAA-compliant communication channel. If you are a current client and need to share protected health information, please use the secure communication methods provided to you directly.

Once a therapeutic relationship begins, privacy and treatment records are governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices, which is provided during intake.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to support website function and gather basic analytics.

Types of Cookies We May Use

Essential Cookies
Required for the website to function properly, including security and session management.

Analytics Cookies
Help us understand how visitors use the site so we can improve the experience.

Preference Cookies
May remember settings such as language or display preferences.

Your Choices

You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Disabling some cookies may affect how the website functions.

At this time, we do not respond to “Do Not Track” browser signals.

Data Retention

We keep website inquiry information only as long as needed to respond to your message and determine next steps.

If you become a client, records are retained according to California law, including:

  • Adult client records: at least 7 years after the last date of service

  • Minor client records: until 3 years after the client turns 18

Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include:

  • SSL/TLS encryption through HTTPS

  • Squarespace security infrastructure

  • Restricted access to form submissions

  • Ongoing review of data practices and website settings

No method of online transmission or storage is completely secure, but we use reasonable safeguards to protect your information.

Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may include links to third-party websites or services, such as directories or scheduling platforms. Once you leave our site, this Privacy Policy no longer applies.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party site you visit.

Children’s Privacy

This website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verified parental or guardian consent.

If you believe a child has submitted information through the site, please contact us so we can address it promptly.

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you may have rights under the CCPA and CPRA, including the right to:

  • Know what personal information we collect

  • Request deletion of personal information, subject to legal exceptions

  • Request correction of inaccurate information

  • Receive equal treatment for exercising your rights

We do not sell personal information.

To submit a privacy request, please contact us using the information below. Verified requests are responded to within the time required by law.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements, business practices, or website tools. When updates are made, the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will be revised.

Contact

Next Wave Counseling
Kyle Harwick, LMFT #149830
4100 Campus Drive, Suite 150
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Contact Page: nextwavecounseling.com/contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your privacy rights, or need to report a privacy concern, please reach out through the contact information above.