Privacy Policy

Table of Contents

• Our Legal Duties
• About the Provider and Supervision
  • What Supervision Means for You
• What Information We Protect
  • Psychotherapy Notes
• How We May Use or Share Your Information
  • For Treatment
  • For Payment
  • For Practice Operations
• When Disclosure Is Required by Arizona Law
• Uses That Require Your Written Permission
• Telehealth and Electronic Communication
• Your Rights
• Record Retention
• How We Protect Your Information
• Changes to This Policy

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Our Legal Duties

Under federal and Arizona law, we are required to:

• Protect the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI)
• Give you this Privacy Policy
• Follow the terms of this notice

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What Information We Protect

Protected Health Information (PHI) includes information that identifies you and relates to your counseling services, such as:

• Intake paperwork and assessments
• Diagnoses and treatment plans
• Progress notes
• Appointment information
• Billing or insurance records
• Telehealth session information
• Communications related to your care

Psychotherapy Notes

Psychotherapy notes are kept separate from your general clinical record and receive extra protection under the law. These notes are not shared without your written permission, except when required by law.

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How We May Use or Share Your Information

For Treatment

We may use or share information to:

• Provide counseling services
• Consult with the supervising LPC
• Coordinate care with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment

For Payment

We may use or share information for:

• Billing and payment processing
• Insurance claims or eligibility checks
• Collections, if necessary

For Practice Operations

We may use information for:

• Required clinical supervision
• Quality assurance
• Practice management
• Legal or ethical reviews

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When Disclosure Is Required by Arizona Law

We may be required to share information without your permission in certain situations, including:

• Reporting abuse or neglect of a child, vulnerable adult, or disabled person
• When there is a serious and immediate threat of harm to you or others
• Court orders, subpoenas, or legal proceedings
• Licensing board investigations or audits

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Uses That Require Your Written Permission

Your written authorization is required before we share information for purposes such as:

• Release of information to employers
• Release to schools
• Disclosure to attorneys (unless court-ordered)
• Any non-treatment-related disclosures

You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time.

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Telehealth and Electronic Communication

If telehealth or electronic communication is used:

• We use HIPAA-compliant platforms
• No electronic system is completely risk-free
• Email and text messaging may not be fully secure
• You are responsible for maintaining privacy on your end (private location, secure device)

By using telehealth services, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

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Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your records
  Request copies of your records (reasonable fees may apply)
• Request corrections
  Ask us to correct information you believe is inaccurate
• Request limits
  Ask us to limit how your information is used or shared
• Request confidential communication
  Ask us to contact you in a specific way or location
• Receive a list of disclosures
  Request an accounting of certain disclosures
• File a complaint
  Without fear of retaliation

Requests must be submitted in writing.

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Record Retention

In accordance with Arizona professional standards:

• Adult records are kept for at least 7 years after the last session
• Minor records are kept for at least 7 years after the minor turns 18

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How We Protect Your Information

We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information, including:

• Secure electronic record systems
• Locked physical storage
• Access controls
• Ongoing supervision and training

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