Cardinal Counseling Group

SMS / Text Messaging Privacy Policy

Cardinal Counseling Group
Effective Date: June 17 2026

Cardinal Counseling Group (“CCG,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) offers text messaging (SMS) to and from our main business phone line as a convenience for communicating with current and prospective clients. This policy explains how our text messaging works, how we handle the information involved, and your choices. By texting our business line or by providing your mobile number and opting in, you agree to the terms below.

1. Your consent

When you text our business line, or give us your mobile number (on an intake form, a consent form, our website, or in person) and opt in to text communication, you consent to receive SMS messages from CCG at that number. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving therapy or any other service from CCG. You may decline texting and still receive care and communication through phone, our secure client portal (Jane), or in session. Message and data rates may apply.

2. Types of messages

You may receive the following types of messages:

• Conversational

• Informational

• Appointment reminders

• Confirmations

• Scheduling

• Billing/payment notifications

• Practice or appointment-related updates

We do not send marketing or promotional text messages.

3. Message frequency

Message frequency varies based on appointments and customer communication. Reminder messages are recurring.

4. Message and data rates

Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan. CCG is not responsible for charges from your carrier.

5. How to opt out

You can cancel SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message from us. After you reply STOP, we will send one confirmation message and then stop texting that number. You may also opt out by calling or emailing our office (below). Opting out of texts does not opt you out of other necessary communications about your care.

6. How to get help

Reply HELP to any message, or contact us at the phone number or email below.

7. Information we collect through SMS

• Your mobile phone number

• Your opt-in / opt-out status and the date of consent

• The content of messages you exchange with us

• Basic delivery information (for example, whether a message was delivered)

8. How we use your information

We use this information only to communicate with you for the purposes described in Section 2 — to schedule and remind you of appointments, reply to you, and support your care and account.

9. Sharing of your information

No mobile information (including your phone number and your SMS opt-in or consent) will be sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. We share information only with the service providers that operate our business phone and messaging line and our practice systems, and only as needed to deliver these messages to you. We may also disclose information where required by law.

10. Confidentiality, HIPAA, and the limits of text messaging

CCG is a healthcare provider, and your health information is protected under HIPAA and applicable state law. Please understand that standard SMS texting to our business line is not a secure or encrypted form of communication, and there is some risk a message could be seen by someone other than you (for example, if others have access to your phone).

For this reason, our text line is intended for scheduling, appointment reminders, and brief logistics only. Please do not text sensitive or detailed health information (for example, symptoms, diagnoses, medications, or anything you consider private about your care) to our business line. If a matter involves your treatment or protected health information, we will move the conversation to a secure channel — our client portal (Jane), a phone call, or your session. By texting our line or opting in to texts, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks of unencrypted SMS for these limited purposes. If you prefer that we never send health-related information by text, let us know and we will use a more secure channel.

11. Data security and retention

We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the information we hold, and we retain text-related records consistent with our recordkeeping obligations and applicable law.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The current version will always be posted with its effective date.

13. Contact us

Cardinal Counseling Group

4330 South Lee St., Suite 800A, Buford, GA 30518

Phone: 678-866-4065

Email: scheduling@cardinal-cg.com

This policy governs text messaging to and from CCG’s business phone line. For how CCG handles protected health information generally, please see our Notice of Privacy Practices and our website Privacy Policy.