Privacy Policy
Effective Date: July 15, 2024
Last Updated: May 12, 2026
Dr. Bruce Hoffman, Psychologist ("Dr. Hoffman," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us through this website, doctorbrucehoffman.com (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and the choices available to you.
This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through this Site. It does not apply to Protected Health Information ("PHI") collected during the course of psychological evaluation, therapy, or other clinical services. The handling of PHI in the course of clinical care is governed separately by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") and applicable New York State law.
Information We Collect
We collect two general categories of information through this Site:
Information You Provide Directly. When you fill out a contact form, request a consultation, call our office, send an email through the Site, or otherwise communicate with us, you may share information such as your name, email address, phone number, general reason for reaching out, and any other details you choose to include. Please do not include sensitive clinical, diagnostic, or medical information in website forms or unsecured email — those communications are not encrypted and are not intended for the transmission of Protected Health Information.
Information Collected Automatically. When you visit the Site, certain information is collected automatically by our hosting platform and analytics tools, including your IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, referring website, pages visited, time spent on pages, and approximate geographic location. This information is collected through cookies, pixels, and similar tracking technologies.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information collected through this Site to:
Respond to inquiries, schedule consultations, and provide requested information
Operate, maintain, and improve the Site and its content
Understand how visitors find and use the Site, so we can improve user experience
Send appointment-related communications when you have requested them
Comply with legal obligations and protect our legal rights
Detect and prevent fraud, spam, and abuse of the Site
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
This Site uses cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences, analyze Site traffic, and improve performance. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings, but disabling them may affect how the Site functions. We may use third-party services such as Google Analytics and embedded media players (for example, YouTube) that set their own cookies; these third parties have their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review.
4. Third-Party Services and Links
This Site may contain links to third-party websites, including review platforms (such as RateMD, Vitals, WebMD, Three Best Rated, and the Better Business Bureau), social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, YouTube), embedded videos, and trusted scheduling or communication tools. These third-party sites operate independently and have their own privacy practices. We are not responsible for the privacy policies or practices of any third-party site, and we encourage you to review them before sharing personal information.
5. How We Protect Your Information
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the information collected through the Site against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you need to share clinical, medical, or otherwise sensitive information, please do so during a scheduled session or through secure communication methods established by our office, not through the website or general email.
6. Children's Privacy
This Site is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the Site. Parents and legal guardians may contact our office to schedule services for a minor on the minor's behalf. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information through the Site, please contact us so we can delete it.
7. Your Rights and Choices
You may:
Request access to the personal information we have collected about you through the Site
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of information collected through the Site, subject to legal recordkeeping obligations
Opt out of non-essential communications by replying to any email with "unsubscribe" or contacting our office directly
Control cookies through your browser settings
Note that these website-related rights are separate from any rights you may have regarding Protected Health Information under HIPAA.
For New York Residents: Under the New York SHIELD Act and other applicable state laws, you have certain rights regarding the security and handling of your personal information. You may contact us using the information below to exercise any of these rights.
8. Data Retention
We retain website-related information only as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Inquiry communications that do not result in a clinical relationship are typically retained for a limited period and then deleted. Clinical records, where a clinical relationship has been established, are retained separately and in accordance with New York State law and applicable professional standards.
9. Email and Electronic Communications — Important Notice
Standard email and website contact forms are not secure or encrypted methods of communication. By contacting Dr. Hoffman through this Site or through standard email, you acknowledge that there is a risk that your communication could be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties. We strongly recommend that you do not share detailed clinical information, diagnoses, medications, or other sensitive details through general email or web forms. Secure communication options are available to active clients and can be arranged with our office.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, how your information is handled, or your privacy rights, please contact:
Dr. Bruce Hoffman, Psychologist
1470 East 70th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Phone: (646) 321-7931
Email: info@lc.depressiontreatmentbrooklynny.com
For matters specifically related to Protected Health Information or your rights under HIPAA, please speak with our office directly.