Privacy Policy
Effective Date: April 20, 2026
INTRODUCTION
This Privacy Policy explains how Malena Ally, LCSW ("the Practice," "I," or "my") collects, uses, and protects information from visitors to www.malenaally.com. This policy covers website data only. It does not cover protected health information (PHI) related to therapy services. If you are a current or prospective therapy client, please also review my separate HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how your clinical information is protected. Privacy Officer: Malena Ally, LCSW
Email: MalenaLCSW@gmail.com
Phone: 818-276-9345
Mailing Address: 16055 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1111, Encino, CA 91436 If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your website information is handled, please contact me using the information above.
WHAT THIS WEBSITE COLLECTS
When you visit www.MalenaAlly.com, certain information may be collected automatically or when you choose to provide it.
Information collected automatically includes IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, the pages you visit on this site, the date and time of your visit, and the website you came from (referral source). This information is collected through standard web server logs and analytics tools.
Information you provide voluntarily includes your name, email address, phone number, and the contents of any message you submit through the contact form on this website. You may also provide information when you click a scheduling link to book a consultation through my client portal.
This website does not track visitors across other websites. This website does not collect sensitive personal information through any form on this site.
HOW I USE YOUR INFORMATION
Information collected through this website is used for the following purposes only:
- To respond to your inquiries and scheduling requests.
- To provide information about my services when you ask for it.
- To keep the website functioning properly and secure.
- To understand how visitors use the website so I can improve it.
I do not sell your information. I do not use your information for advertising. I do not add you to a marketing list without your express consent. I do not share your contact information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
This website uses the following third-party services. Each operates under its own privacy policy, and I am not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties beyond the use of this website.
Website Hosting: This website is hosted on Duda. Duda may collect basic technical data about visitors for hosting and security purposes. For more information, visit duda.co/privacy.
Domain Registration: This website's domain is registered with Namecheap. Namecheap does not have access to website visitor data through the registration relationship.
Online Scheduling and Client Portal: This website links to my client portal at malena-ally.clientsecure.me, which is hosted by SimplePractice. When you click the scheduling or portal link, you leave this website and enter SimplePractice's secure platform. SimplePractice operates under its own privacy policy and is HIPAA-compliant. For more information, visit simplepractice.com/privacy.
Website Analytics: This website uses Google Analytics, provided by Google LLC, to understand how visitors use the site. Google Analytics collects anonymized information, including pages viewed, time on each page, and how you arrived at the site. This information does not personally identify you. You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. For more information, visit policies.google.com/privacy.
Accessibility Widget: This website uses the UserWay Accessibility Widget, powered by UserWay Ltd. This tool provides accessibility features including screen reader optimization, keyboard navigation enhancements, contrast and color adjustment, text resizing and spacing controls, dyslexia-friendly font mode, cursor enlargement, and animation pause controls. UserWay does not collect or store your personal information. For more information, visit userway.org/privacy.
This website may contain links to third-party websites such as my professional licensing board verification pages; professional association sites, including the National Association of Social Workers and the International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy; my Facebook page; my LinkedIn profile; and media outlets where I have been featured. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those external sites.
COOKIES AND TRACKING
This website uses essential cookies necessary for the website to function. Analytics cookies are also used to understand visitor behavior in aggregate.
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to view, manage, and delete cookies. Disabling cookies may affect how this website functions for you.
This website does not use advertising cookies and does not participate in cross-site tracking.
Do Not Track Signals: Because this website does not engage in cross-site tracking, Do Not Track signals from your browser do not change how the site behaves.
DATA RETENTION
Contact form submissions and email inquiries are retained for as long as needed to respond to your inquiry and for a reasonable follow-up period, typically up to 12 months. After that, these are deleted unless you become a client, in which case communications are handled under the separate retention rules described in my HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
Server logs and analytics data are retained according to the standard retention periods of the third-party services that collect them.
Clinical records and protected health information are retained separately under HIPAA, California law, and Illinois law. Those retention rules are described in my HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
YOUR RIGHTS
You have the following rights regarding the information this website collects about you:
- The right to know what website information is held about you.
- The right to request a copy of that information.
- The right to request correction or deletion of that information.
- The right to withdraw consent for any optional data collection at any time.
To submit a request, email me at MalenaLCSW@gmail.com or write to the mailing address listed above. I will respond within 30 days.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS
If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). These include the right to know what personal information is collected about you, the right to request deletion, the right to correct inaccurate information, and the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information.
I do not sell your personal information. I do not share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. As a small solo practice, I may not meet all CCPA business thresholds, but I respect the privacy rights described above regardless. To exercise any of these rights, contact me using the information at the top of this policy.
Information related to your therapy is governed by HIPAA and California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), not by CCPA. Those protections are described in my HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
This website is not directed at children under 13. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through this website. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has submitted information through this website, please contact me at MalenaLCSW@gmail.com, and the information will be deleted promptly.
UPDATES TO THIS POLICY
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or my practices. The effective date at the top of this policy will reflect the most recent version. Material changes will be posted on this page. Continued use of this website after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
CONTACT
For any questions about this Privacy Policy:
Malena Ally, LCSW 16055 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1111 Encino, CA 91436 Phone: 818-276-9345 Email: MalenaLCSW@gmail.com
What Happens in a First Therapy Session?
The anxiety about a first session is real—what will you talk about? What will I ask? I want to make it as comfortable as possible. Our first session is less an interrogation and more a conversation. It’s about us getting to know each other.
First session is a conversation
The session is designed to feel comfortable and collaborative, focusing on getting to know each other.
Mutual understanding and questions
You’ll discuss what brought you to therapy, your goals, and your background, while also having the chance to ask about the therapist and their approach.
Safe, pressure-free environment
You won’t be pushed to share anything you’re uncomfortable with, and there’s no preparation or “right” way to attend—just come as you are.
Crisis Support and Educational Resources
If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. The following resources also offer free, confidential support 24/7.
Crisis and Immediate Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 anytime in the US to be connected to a trained crisis counselor.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the US to connect with a crisis counselor.
Educational Resources
The Jed Foundation (JED)
A leading nonprofit dedicated to protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for teens and young adults.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
Still Have Questions? I'd Love to Hear From You.
If something comes up that isn't answered here, reach out. No question is too small. The free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to get your questions answered directly.