Privacy Policy

Last updated February 22, 2025

Privacy Policy

The website www.therapybycat.com (hereinafter the “Website”) is owned and operated by Catherine Alvarado, LMFT #134744, Owner and Clinical Supervisor of the private practice registered federally as Catherine Alvarado LMFT PC and in California as Catherine Alvarado, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Inc. For all public-facing purposes, including this Website, the practice operates under the name Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates (hereinafter “we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or using this Website, you, as a visitor and/or user, agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. Your continued use of this Website constitutes your acceptance of the policy, which is effective as of February 22, 2025. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and process your personal information. This includes information you voluntarily provide—such as through forms, subscriptions, or contact requests—as well as data automatically collected via cookies and similar technologies. We may update this Privacy Policy at any time, with or without notice. Your continued use of the Website following any updates indicates your acceptance of the most current version.

Personal Information We Collect

The Website offers several opportunities for users to voluntarily provide personal information—for example, to receive a free resource, subscribe to our email list, or submit a contact request. If you choose to “opt in” and provide information for any of these purposes, we may collect details such as your name, email address, phone number, and the content of any message you send. We may also process personal information you share in the form of comments, images, or videos posted to our blog, social media pages, or other online forums now or in the future. All such use will comply with our [Notice of Privacy Practices], and no private clinical information will be shared. By providing this information, you consent to its collection, processing, and retention. If you complete the “Contact Us” form or otherwise communicate with us—such as via email, text message, or social media—we may collect personal identifiers, including your name, email address, phone number, and the content of your message. This information is processed based on our legitimate interest in responding to inquiries and may be retained for record-keeping purposes. Please note: communication through these channels does not establish a therapist-client relationship. If you become a client, we may collect additional information as needed to provide therapeutic services. This information will be protected in accordance with professional confidentiality standards and applicable ethical and legal obligations. If you are subscribed to our email list—either by consent or based on our legitimate interest in direct marketing—we may also use your data to send targeted communications or create lookalike audiences through social media advertising platforms. In compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act, all emails will clearly identify the sender and include instructions on how to unsubscribe or contact us with questions. We may also collect data through automatic tracking technologies, including standard “cookies” to identify your browser. Cookies do not contain personally identifiable information. We may use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain until deleted). You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though doing so may affect Website functionality. Our Website does not respond to Do Not Track (DNT) signals from browsers.

Lawful Grounds for Processing

To comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we confirm that we have lawful bases for processing the personal information we collect. If you provide your personal information via the “Contact Us” form or through any other electronic communication, we process your data based on our legitimate interest in responding to user inquiries and potential client outreach. If you choose to opt in—such as by requesting a free resource, subscribing to our email list, or making a purchase—we process your data based on your affirmative consent. We may also send you future marketing communications based on our legitimate interest in engaging with users who have expressed interest in our services. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us directly to request your information be updated, restricted, or deleted. We may also provide the opportunity to join our email list for newsletters, service updates, or other relevant communications. Your inclusion in such lists will only occur with your clear consent, and you may opt out at any time. We do not collect any sensitive personal data or information related to criminal offenses or convictions.

How and Why It’s Collected 

We collect your personal information when you voluntarily provide it—such as by completing a form, subscribing to a list, or requesting a resource. This information is collected for the purpose of delivering the specific service or content you’ve requested (e.g., free resources, newsletters, or information about therapy services). We may also track your future interactions with our content to inform you of related offerings that may be of interest to you. Your data is only collected when you take an intentional action to provide it (e.g., entering your information and clicking “submit”). We do not collect personal data without your express input or in exchange for a resource you did not request. In addition, we may receive data from third-party services, including (but not limited to) Google Analytics, Facebook, and advertising or email marketing platforms. These services may collect technical data, behavioral tracking, or aggregate usage statistics. We make every reasonable effort to use third-party providers that are GDPR-compliant and with whom we have entered into Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) or have reviewed and confirmed their data handling practices.

How We Use Your Information You Provide 

We use the personal information you voluntarily share with us to deliver the products, services, or resources you have requested. This may include sending free resources, newsletters, training information, or periodic promotional emails. We may also contact you to inform you of updates to our policies, services, or offerings. If you reach out to inquire about therapy services, we will use the information you provide to respond to your inquiry, discuss your needs, and determine whether our services are appropriate for you. Once you become a client, all communications and records will be governed by professional confidentiality requirements and applicable laws and ethical standards.

Non-Personally Identifiable Information

We may collect non-identifying information to better understand how users access and interact with the Website. This information is used solely to improve the user experience and is not used to make automated decisions or identify individual users. We may log data such as IP addresses to help diagnose technical issues, analyze traffic patterns, and identify the most frequently visited areas of the Website. While an IP address may indicate the geographic region of a user, it does not personally identify you. This information is used in aggregate form and only for the limited purposes described above, with the goal of optimizing Website functionality and content relevance.

How Information is Stored and Shared

Your personal information is stored securely using a data management system. We take reasonable and appropriate measures to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of your data. Your information may be shared only with individuals or entities who provide essential technical, administrative, legal, or accounting support for our business operations. All such parties are expected to uphold strict confidentiality standards and are prohibited from disclosing your information to unrelated third parties. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with any third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent. Your data will only be shared to fulfill a specific request or purchase, or as required by law, regulation, or governmental authority. We may disclose personal information if we believe in good faith that it is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of our business or Website, investigate or respond to suspected violations of our policies, prevent or address potentially unlawful activity, or comply with legal obligations. In the event of a business transfer—such as a sale, merger, or partnership—personal data may be included among the transferred assets. If applicable, we will take steps to ensure your information remains protected. Our servers and service providers are located in the United States. By using this Website or providing information to us, you acknowledge that your personal data may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other jurisdictions with different data protection laws than your country of residence. Regardless of location, your information will be handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy. We act as a data controller for any personal information you provide, meaning we determine how and why your data is processed. We also utilize third-party service providers (data processors), such as email marketing platforms, who store and manage your information on our behalf. To the best of our ability, we confirm these providers are GDPR-compliant and adhere to appropriate data protection practices.

Information Protection & Security 

We use commercially reasonable measures to safeguard the personal data you provide and the information we collect automatically. This includes employing appropriate online security practices and working only with reputable third-party vendors that follow generally accepted standards for data protection. Should we become aware of a data breach, we will notify the appropriate parties in a timely manner with the information available to us. While we take steps to protect your information from misuse, unauthorized access, or disclosure, it is important to understand that no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. If an unauthorized third party gains access to our systems or Website without our knowledge or consent, your personal information could be compromised. By using this Website, you acknowledge this risk and agree that we are not liable for any unauthorized access that occurs outside of our control. You also agree to release us from any claims or liability arising from such unauthorized access or use of your information.

Data Retention 

We retain only the minimum amount of personal information necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected. This may include your name, email address, and data related to your interactions with our Website or communications. If you remain subscribed to our mailing list, your information will be stored until you choose to unsubscribe. Additional personal information may be retained as needed to complete a transaction, provide services, or comply with legal obligations. We may also retain data to resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, or for other legitimate business purposes. If you request to be removed from our records, your personal information will be deleted and no longer retained, unless retention is required by law.

Your Rights to Control Your Information 

You have the right to access, update, edit, or delete your personal information at any time. If you wish to unsubscribe from our email list, you may do so by clicking the “unsubscribe” link included at the bottom of any marketing email we send. You may also contact us directly to request access to the information we have about you, correct or update your information, or request permanent removal from our database. All such requests will be honored free of charge and in a timely manner.

To make any of these requests, please contact:

Catherine Alvarado
220 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 112
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Email: therapybycat@gmail.com
Phone: 323-296-9846
Fax: 213-802-9514

Right of Access, Right to Rectification Right to Restriction of Processing, Right to Data Portability

You have the right to request details about how your personal data is being used, to obtain a copy of the data we hold, and to request corrections or updates to any information you previously provided. You may also request that we limit how we process your data in certain circumstances or ask to receive your personal information in a portable format to use with another service provider, where technically feasible. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at therapybycat@gmail.com. We will make every effort to respond promptly and to honor your request in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Right to be Forgotten

You have the right to withdraw your consent for us to retain or use your personal information at any time. You may do so by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email we send. Once you unsubscribe, your information will be removed from our mailing list, and you should no longer receive further communications from us, barring any technical error. If you wish to ensure complete removal of your data from our records or have questions about the deletion process, you may contact us directly at therapybycat@gmail.com.

Third Party Links – Not Included Under This Policy 

From time to time, our Website may contain links to external websites. Unless otherwise stated, this Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through our Website, which is directly controlled by us. If you click on a third-party link, you will be redirected to a site that is not governed by this Privacy Policy. We are not responsible for the content, activities, or privacy practices of any other website, company, or individual. You understand and agree that it is your responsibility to review the privacy policy of each third-party site you visit to ensure you understand how your information will be handled.

COPPA Compliance

In compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), this Website is intended for use by individuals who are 18 years of age or older and who have the legal capacity to enter into this Privacy Policy. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from anyone under the age of 18, nor do we knowingly market to minors. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from someone under 18, we will promptly delete that information and, if appropriate, attempt to obtain parental consent. If you believe that a minor has submitted personal information through this Website, please notify us immediately at therapybycat@gmail.com.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you are entitled to additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These rights include the ability to know what personal information we collect, how it is used, whether it is shared with third parties, and the purposes for such collection and use. This Privacy Policy outlines that information for your review. You also have the right to request that we delete your personal information from our records, to opt out of the sale of your personal data (though we do not sell personal information), and to be free from discrimination for exercising any of your privacy rights under the CCPA. If you would like to make a request to access, update, or delete your information, or if you have questions regarding your CCPA rights, please contact Catherine Alvarado at therapybycat@gmail.com.