Privacy Policy

At Tracy Shevell MD, we are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect the data you provide to us.

If you have questions about this policy, contact: hello@tracyshevellmd.com

1. SCOPE

This Policy applies to this website and related communications (including email updates and inquiries) that link to or reference this Policy. It does not apply to third-party websites or platforms you may access through links on our site (for example, Substack or book retailer/preorder pages), which have their own privacy practices.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

A. Information you provide to us

Depending on how you interact with the site, we may collect:

- Contact information (such as your name, email address, phone number, and location)

- Inquiry details (such as the nature of your request: media, speaking, book-related, or private advising)

- Message content you submit to us

- Newsletter/book update sign-up details (typically name and email)

B. Sensitive information and health information

Our website is not a patient portal. Please do not submit highly sensitive personal information (including detailed medical history, diagnoses, test results, or other health information) through website forms or email unless we specifically request it through a secure process.

If you become a private advising client/patient through a separate process, you may receive additional privacy notices and/or disclosures that apply to that relationship.

C. Information collected automatically

When you visit the website, certain information may be collected automatically, such as:

- Device and browser information

- IP address and general location (city/region level)

- Pages viewed, time spent on pages, clicks, and referral sources

- Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 6)

3. HOW WE USE INFORMATION

We use information we collect to:

- Respond to your inquiries and communicate with you

- Provide requested information about services, speaking, media, and book-related updates

- Send newsletters/private letters/book updates if you opt in (you can unsubscribe at any time)

- Maintain, secure, and improve the website (including analytics and performance)

- Prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents

- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our policies

4. HOW WE SHARE INFORMATION

We may share information in limited circumstances, including:

- Service providers who help us operate the site and communications (e.g., website hosting, analytics, email delivery, form processing, scheduling, or customer support), who are bound to use the information only for providing services to us

- Legal and safety reasons (to comply with law, respond to lawful requests, protect rights, safety, and security)

- Business transfers (if we are involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets)

We do not share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes without your consent.

5. SUBSTACK, BOOK UPDATES, AND THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS

If you subscribe via Substack or interact with embedded/linked third-party tools (for example, Substack, podcast platforms, or book preorder links), your information may be collected directly by those third parties under their own privacy policies. We recommend reviewing those policies when you use those services.

6. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

We (and our service providers) may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to:

- Remember preferences

- Understand how the site is used and improve it

- Provide website analytics and performance measurement

Your choices:

- You can adjust browser settings to refuse or delete cookies.

- If we use a cookie banner or preference center, you can set your cookie choices there (where available).

Note: Disabling cookies may affect site functionality.

7. EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS

If you sign up for updates, you may receive emails about:

- Private letters/essays

- Book news (including preorder announcements when available)

- Speaking/media updates and selected resources

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the footer of our emails. Administrative or transactional messages (for example, responding to a direct inquiry) may still be sent as needed.

8. DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, including to:

- Respond to requests

- Maintain records of communications

- Comply with legal obligations

If you unsubscribe from marketing emails, we will stop sending them, and we may retain limited information as needed to honor your preferences and comply with law.

9. SECURITY

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

This website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

11. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS (Depending on Where You Live)

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, such as:

- Access: request a copy of the personal information we hold about you

- Correction: request corrections to inaccurate information

- Deletion: request that we delete certain information

- Opt-out: opt out of certain processing (such as some forms of targeted advertising where applicable)

- Consent withdrawal: where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent

To exercise a request, email hello@tracyshevellmd.com with “Privacy Request” in the subject line. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling certain requests.

12. INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

If you access the website from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States and other locations where our service providers operate.

13. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top indicates when changes were made. Continued use of the website after updates means you accept the revised Policy.

14. CONTACT

For questions about this Privacy Policy or privacy requests: hello@tracyshevellmd.com