Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 07/23/26
Practice Name: Third Culture Counseling
Owner: Zaraar Zahid, LCPC
Licensed In: Illinois
Website: www.thirdculturecounseling.com
Email: info@thirdculturecounseling.com
1. Introduction
Third Culture Counseling PLLC ("Third Culture Counseling," "we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal information.
This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, stored, and protected when you visit this website.
By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through this website. It does not replace the Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) that clients receive before beginning psychotherapy services.
2. Information We Collect
A. Information You Voluntarily Provide
You may choose to provide personal information when you:
Complete a contact form
Request a consultation
Send an email
Subscribe to communications (if offered)
Information may include:
Name
Email address
Telephone number
Preferred method of contact
General information you voluntarily choose to share
Please avoid submitting highly sensitive or confidential health information through website forms or unsecured email.
B. Information Collected Automatically
Like many websites, this website may automatically collect certain technical information, including:
IP address
Browser type
Device information
Operating system
Date and time of visit
Pages viewed
Referring website
General website usage data
This information helps improve website performance, accessibility, and user experience.
3. Cookies and Analytics
This website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality and better understand how visitors use the website.
Cookies may help us:
Improve website performance
Understand visitor behavior
Measure website traffic
Enhance the overall user experience
You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
Third Culture Counseling may use website analytics services (such as Google Analytics or similar providers) to collect anonymous usage information. These services do not collect Protected Health Information (PHI) through routine website analytics.
4. How Your Information Is Used
Information collected through this website may be used to:
Respond to inquiries
Schedule consultations
Communicate regarding services
Improve website functionality
Maintain website security
Comply with legal, ethical, and professional obligations
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.
5. Confidentiality and HIPAA
Protecting client confidentiality is a core value of Third Culture Counseling.
If you become a psychotherapy client, your health information will be protected in accordance with:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Applicable Illinois law
Professional ethical standards governing licensed mental health professionals
Website inquiries alone do not create a therapist-client relationship and are generally not considered Protected Health Information under HIPAA.
If you become a client, you will receive a separate Notice of Privacy Practices explaining how your health information may be used and disclosed.
6. Contact Forms and Email
Although we take reasonable measures to protect information submitted through this website, email and website contact forms may not always be completely secure.
For your privacy, please avoid sending confidential clinical information, medical records, or detailed mental health concerns through contact forms or unsecured email.
If you become a client, secure communication methods will be discussed during the intake process.
7. Third-Party Services
This website may utilize trusted third-party providers for services such as:
Appointment scheduling
Website hosting
Contact forms
Email communication
Analytics
Payment processing (if applicable)
These providers maintain their own privacy policies and security practices.
Third Culture Counseling is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites linked from this site.
8. Data Security
Third Culture Counseling takes reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information collected through this website.
These measures may include:
Encrypted website connections (SSL)
Secure website hosting
Restricted access to information
Secure practice management systems
Password-protected accounts and devices
While reasonable efforts are made to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or internet storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
9. Your Privacy Choices
Depending on applicable law, you may have the right to:
Request access to certain personal information
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of information where legally permissible
Withdraw consent for certain communications
Opt out of cookies through your browser settings
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.
10. Children's Privacy
This website is intended for adults seeking psychotherapy services.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 through this website. If we learn that personal information has been submitted by a child without appropriate consent, we will take reasonable steps to remove that information.
11. External Links
For your convenience, this website may contain links to third-party websites or resources.
Third Culture Counseling does not control or endorse the privacy practices or content of external websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in applicable law, technology, or practice operations.
Any updates will become effective immediately upon posting to this page. The Effective Date at the top of this policy will indicate when it was last revised.
13. Contact Information
If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how information collected through this website is handled, please contact:
Third Culture Counseling
Zaraar Zahid, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor – Illinois
Email: info@thirdculturecounseling.com
Website: thirdculturecounseling.com