Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 2, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Melanie Inouye, Occupational Therapy ("we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, and protects information when you visit drmelanie-ot.com (the "Site") or contact us through it. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

1. Who We Are

This Site is operated by Dr. Melanie Inouye, OTD, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist providing neurodivergent-affirming mental health occupational therapy, with in-person services in West Los Angeles and telehealth throughout California. The Site is informational and is used to share resources and to let prospective clients get in touch. It is not a client portal and is not used to deliver clinical care.

2. Information We Collect

Information you provide to us. When you use our contact or consultation-request form, we collect the information you choose to submit, which typically includes your name, email address, and any message content you write. Please only share what is necessary to make contact.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, our Site (through our website host, Squarespace, and any analytics tools we use) automatically collects certain technical information when you visit, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, the pages you view, referring pages, and the dates and times of your visits. This may be collected using cookies and similar technologies (see Section 6).

3. Please Do Not Send Sensitive Health Information

Our contact form is a convenience for initial outreach. It is not a secure or encrypted channel and is not a substitute for a protected clinical communication. Please do not include sensitive personal or health information, diagnoses, or details you consider confidential in the contact form or in emails to us. Any information you send through the Site is provided at your own discretion, and we cannot guarantee its confidentiality in transit. Protected clinical information is handled separately, through appropriate secure channels, only after a professional relationship is established.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Respond to your inquiries and consultation requests;

  • Communicate with you about scheduling an initial consultation;

  • Operate, maintain, and improve the Site;

  • Understand how visitors use the Site (in aggregate);

  • Protect the security and integrity of the Site; and

  • Comply with legal obligations.

We do not use the information collected through this Site to make automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects about you.

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We may share information only in these limited circumstances:

  • Service providers. We use third-party providers to operate the Site, most notably Squarespace, which hosts the Site and processes form submissions and analytics on our behalf. These providers are permitted to use your information only to provide services to us.

  • Legal requirements. We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of ourselves or others.

  • Business changes. If the practice is involved in a merger, sale, or transfer, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, consistent with this Policy.

6. Cookies and Analytics

Our Site uses cookies and similar technologies, primarily through Squarespace, to keep the Site functioning, remember preferences, and understand site usage. Some cookies are necessary for the Site to work; others help us measure traffic and performance. You can usually control or disable cookies through your browser settings, though some features may not function properly if you do. For details on the cookies Squarespace uses, see Squarespace's own cookie and privacy documentation.

If we use additional analytics tools (such as Google Analytics), those providers collect usage data subject to their own privacy policies.

7. Data Retention

We keep information you submit for as long as needed to respond to your inquiry and for a reasonable period afterward, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Automatically collected technical data is retained according to our host's and analytics providers' standard practices.

8. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect the information we collect. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. This is another reason not to submit sensitive information through the Site (see Section 3).

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information. California residents have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), which may include the right to:

  • Know what personal information we collect and how we use it;

  • Request access to or a copy of the personal information we hold about you;

  • Request correction of inaccurate personal information;

  • Request deletion of your personal information; and

  • Not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, so there is nothing to opt out of in that respect. To exercise any right, contact us using the details in Section 13. We will verify your request before responding, as permitted by law.

10. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" signal. There is no industry-standard response to these signals, and our Site does not currently respond to them.

11. Children's Privacy

Our Site is intended for adults and for parents or guardians seeking information and services. It is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete it. If services are provided to a minor, they are arranged with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.

12. Third-Party Links

Our Site may link to third-party websites or resources that we do not control. This Policy does not apply to those sites, and we are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, contact:

Dr. Melanie Inouye, OTD, OTR/L Email: otdrmelanie@gmail.com

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Effective Date" above. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted means you accept the updated Policy.