Privacy Policy

Your Privacy Rights

I am legally and ethically required to protect your personal and health information under federal and state law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

In most situations, information about your therapy is confidential and cannot be shared without your written permission.

How Your Information Is Used

Your protected health information (PHI) may be used or shared only as needed for:

• Treatment - providing psychotherapy and coordinating care when appropriate
• Payment - billing and administrative purposes, when applicable
• Health care operations - practice management, quality assurance, and legal compliance

Psychotherapy notes receive additional legal protection and are not shared without specific authorization, except where required by law.

Limits to Confidentiality

There are situations where I am legally required or permitted to share limited information without your consent. These include:

Risk of serious harm

If there is a clear and immediate risk of serious harm to you or others, I may disclose information to protect safety. This may include contacting emergency services or potential victims.

Abuse or neglect reporting

I am required to report suspected abuse or neglect of:

• Children
• Vulnerable adults
• Elders

Court orders and legal proceedings

Your information is protected by psychologist-patient privilege. Disclosure generally requires your written authorization, a valid court order, or specific legal circumstances.

Health oversight activities

Government agencies may request information for lawful oversight purposes.

Legal defense

If a client files a complaint or lawsuit against me, relevant information may be disclosed to defend myself.

Workers' compensation claims

If therapy is related to a workers' compensation claim, required reports may be submitted to appropriate parties.

When disclosure is required, I limit information shared to what is minimally necessary.

Your Rights as a Client

You have the right to:

• Receive ethical, non-discriminatory treatment
• Expect confidentiality and privacy
• Request limits on how your information is shared (within legal limits)
• Request confidential communication methods or locations
• Review or request copies of your records
• Request corrections to your records
• Receive an accounting of disclosures
• Receive a copy of this privacy notice
• Choose a legal representative, if applicable
• Stop therapy at any time
• Authorize release of information to others in writing

If you pay privately in full, you may request that information not be shared with your health insurer for payment or operational purposes.

My Responsibilities

I am required by law to:

• Protect the privacy and security of your health information
• Follow the privacy practices described here
• Notify you if your information is involved in a breach
• Provide updated notices if privacy practices change

When state or federal laws differ, I follow the more protective standard.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may:

• Contact me directly
• Contact the Oregon Health Authority
• Contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Secure Communication

Please do not send sensitive or confidential information by regular email or text.

Sensitive information should only be shared through:

• The secure client portal
• Encrypted email (if arranged)

Effective Date

This Notice is effective on December 5th, 2022.