Website Disclaimer and Privacy Policy

Guiding Steps Counseling and Consultation Services, LLC | www.guidingstepscc.com | Last updated: October 14, 2026

Part 1: Website Disclaimer

General information only. The content on www.guidingstepscc.com (the "Site") is provided by Guiding Steps Counseling and Consultation Services, LLC ("Guiding Steps," "we," "us") for general informational and educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please don't use anything on this Site to diagnose or treat a mental health condition.

No therapeutic relationship. Visiting this Site, reading its content, or submitting an inquiry through it does not create a counselor-client relationship. That relationship begins only after an intake has been completed, informed consent documents have been signed, and an appointment has taken place with one of our clinicians.

Not for emergencies. This Site and our contact channels are not monitored around the clock. If you or someone you know is in crisis or in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 at any time.

Telehealth. Guiding Steps offers telehealth (video or phone) counseling services to clients located in the state of Ohio at the time of the session. Telehealth may not be appropriate for every person or situation, and your clinician will discuss whether it is a good fit during your intake. Telehealth sessions are subject to the risks of technology, including interruptions and potential breaches of privacy.

Confidentiality and communication. Email, text messages, and website contact methods are not guaranteed to be secure. Please don't send sensitive personal or clinical information by email or text. To request an appointment or ask about our services, please use the secure inquiry and scheduling system provided through our Site (powered by SimplePractice) or call 330-235-9303. Submitting an inquiry does not create a counselor-client relationship.

No guarantees. Counseling outcomes vary from person to person. Nothing on this Site is a promise or guarantee of any specific result.

Third-party links. This Site may link to outside websites and resources for your convenience. We don't control or endorse their content and aren't responsible for their accuracy, availability, or privacy practices.

Accuracy and changes. We work to keep the information on this Site accurate and current, but we make no warranties about its completeness or accuracy. We may update the Site and this disclaimer at any time without notice.

Intellectual property. All text, graphics, and other content on this Site belong to Guiding Steps Counseling and Consultation Services, LLC, unless otherwise noted. Please don't copy or reuse it without written permission.

Part 2: Website Privacy Policy

Guiding Steps respects your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect through the Site and how we use it. It applies only to the Site. It does not replace our Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how we use and protect the health information of our clients.

Information we collect.

Information you provide. We collect information when you request an appointment or submit an inquiry. This happens through our secure scheduling and inquiry system provided by SimplePractice, not through the Site itself. Information submitted there is handled under SimplePractice's privacy practices and the safeguards described in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, our Site is hosted by Squarespace, which collects basic technical and usage data such as your IP address, browser and device type, pages visited, referring website, and the date and time of your visit. This is collected using cookies and similar technologies.

How we use information. We use Site information to operate and secure the Site, understand how visitors use it so we can improve it, and respond to inquiries and schedule appointments. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use the Site to send advertising based on your browsing.

Cookies. The Site uses cookies that are necessary for it to function and to gather basic analytics. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the Site may not work as intended.

Sharing information. We share information only with service providers who help us run the Site and our practice (such as Squarespace and SimplePractice), when required by law, or with your permission. Health information is shared only as allowed by HIPAA and Ohio law, as described in our Notice of Privacy Practices..

Children. The Site is intended for adults, including parents and guardians seeking services for a child. We don't knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the Site. Services for minors are arranged with a parent or legal guardian.

Security. We take reasonable steps to protect information, but no website or electronic transmission is completely secure.

Changes to this policy. We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised.

Contact Us

Questions about this disclaimer or privacy policy? Call us at 330-235-9303.