Privacy Policy (Mercy Psychiatry & Wellness)
Effective Date: January 24, 2026
Mercy Psychiatry & Wellness (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard information when you visit our website, contact us, or use online features connected to our services.
This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website and related online communications. For patients receiving clinical services, additional privacy protections may apply under healthcare privacy laws (including HIPAA, where applicable). If we provide you with a separate Notice of Privacy Practices, that notice governs how we use and disclose Protected Health Information (“PHI”) in connection with treatment and clinical care.
1) Important Note About Emergencies
Our website and contact channels are not monitored for emergencies.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or feel you may harm yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for 24/7 support.
2) Information We Collect
We collect information in the following ways:
A. Information You Provide Directly
You may provide information when you:
- Fill out a contact form
- Request an appointment
- Submit intake or scheduling information through a scheduling platform
- Email or otherwise communicate with us
This information may include:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Message content and any details you choose to share
- Appointment-related information you submit through scheduling tools
Please avoid including highly sensitive medical details in general website contact forms unless specifically requested. If you are an established patient, we may provide more secure methods for clinical communication.
B. Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we (and service providers working on our behalf) may automatically collect:
- Device type, browser type, and operating system
- IP address (which may indicate general location)
- Pages visited and time spent on pages
- Referring/exit pages
- Basic website interaction data (for example, clicks, scrolling, and performance logs)
C. Cookies and Similar Technologies
We may use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Help the site function properly
- Remember preferences (if enabled)
- Measure performance and improve user experience
- Support security and fraud prevention
You may be able to control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect site functionality.
3) How We Use Your Information
We use information we collect to:
- Respond to inquiries and messages
- Provide scheduling and appointment-related services
- Operate and improve our website
- Maintain security, prevent fraud, and troubleshoot issues
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
- Communicate important updates (for example, policy changes or service-related notices)
We do not sell your personal information.
4) How We Share Your Information
We may share information in limited circumstances, including:
A. Service Providers and Vendors
We may share information with trusted third parties that help us operate our business and website, such as:
- Website hosting and maintenance providers
- Scheduling and practice management platforms
- Telehealth technology providers
- Secure communication tools (where applicable)
- Analytics or performance measurement tools (where used)
These providers are permitted to use information only to perform services for us and must protect it consistent with applicable requirements.
B. Insurance and Billing Support (Where Applicable)
If you choose to use insurance, information may be exchanged with relevant insurance-related platforms or billing partners to verify coverage or support claims processing, consistent with applicable laws and your selections.
C. Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required to do so by law or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:
- Comply with a legal obligation or lawful request
- Protect the rights, safety, and security of our patients, users, and the public
- Enforce our policies or prevent fraud
D. Business Transfers
If we undergo a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to appropriate protections.
5) Healthcare Privacy and Protected Health Information (PHI)
If you become a patient, certain information you provide may be considered Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA or similar laws (depending on how services are delivered and billed). PHI is handled with additional safeguards and may be governed by separate clinical privacy notices and legal requirements.
Website contact forms are not always the same as a patient portal. If you are an established patient, we may offer more secure methods for clinical communication.
6) Telehealth Privacy
We offer telehealth and in-person appointments. If you use telehealth services, sessions are conducted using secure technology intended for healthcare use. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We take reasonable steps to protect your information, and we recommend you also protect your privacy by:
- Joining visits from a private location
- Using a secure internet connection
- Avoiding shared devices when possible
7) Security
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect personal information. Despite these efforts, no security system is impenetrable. You use the website at your own risk and understand that transmission of information online carries some inherent risk.
8) Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for legitimate business purposes and as required by applicable laws and professional obligations. Clinical records (if you become a patient) may be retained for longer periods as required by medical record retention laws.
9) Your Choices and Rights
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:
- Request access to personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of certain information (where legally permitted)
- Opt out of certain data practices (where applicable)
To make a request, contact us using the information in the “Contact Us” section below. We may need to verify your identity before processing requests.
10) California Privacy Notice
Because Mercy Psychiatry & Wellness is located in Murrieta, California, California residents may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), including:
- The right to know what categories of personal information we collect and why
- The right to request deletion (subject to exceptions)
- The right to correct inaccurate information
- The right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
You will not be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights.
11) Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the website. If you believe a child has provided personal information through our website, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to remove it.
12) Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites (for example, scheduling tools or informational resources). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you use.
13) “Do Not Track” Signals
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (“DNT”) feature. Because there is no consistent industry standard for DNT, we do not currently respond to DNT signals in a uniform way.
14) Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.” Your continued use of the website after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.
15) Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, contact us:
Mercy Psychiatry & Wellness
Location: Murrieta, California
Appointments: Telehealth & In-Person
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Phone: (951) 439-9778 Fax: 951-755-8219
Email: support@mercypsychiatryandwellness.com