Privacy Practices
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
BY CONTINUING TO USE THIS SITE, YOU ARE AGREEING THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO THE ITEMS CONTAINED IN THIS NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES.
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I. MY PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION: I understand that health information about you and your health care is personal. I am committed to protecting your health information about you. I create a record of the care and services you receive from me. I need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by this mental health care practice. This notice will tell you about the ways in which I may use and disclose health information about you. I also describe your rights to the health information I keep about you and describe certain obligations I have regarding the use and disclosure of your health information. I am required by law to:
• Make sure that protected health information (“PHI”) that identifies you is kept private. • Give you this notice of my legal duties and privacy practices concerning health information. • Follow the terms of the notice that is currently in effect. • I can change the terms of this Notice, and such changes will apply to all information I have about you. The new Notice will be available upon request, in my office, and on my website.
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II. HOW I MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU: The following categories describe different ways that I use and disclose health information. For each category of uses or disclosures, I will explain what I mean and try to give some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways I am permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.
For Treatment Payment or Health Care Operations: Federal privacy rules (regulations) allow healthcare providers who have a direct treatment relationship with the patient/client to use or disclose the patient/client’s personal health information without the patient’s written authorization, to carry out the healthcare provider’s own treatment, payment or healthcare operations. I may also disclose your protected health information for the treatment activities of any healthcare provider. This, too, can be done without your written authorization. For example, if a clinician were to consult with another licensed healthcare provider about your condition, we would be permitted to use and disclose your personal health information, which is otherwise confidential, to assist the clinician in diagnosing and treating your mental health condition.
Disclosures for treatment purposes are not limited to the minimum necessary standard. Because therapists and other healthcare providers need access to the entire record and/or complete information to provide quality care. The word “treatment” includes, among other things, the coordination and management of health care providers with a third party, consultations between health care providers, and referrals of a patient for health care from one health care provider to another.
Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit, I may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order. I may also disclose health information about your child in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful processes by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested.
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III. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION:
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Psychotherapy Notes. I keep “psychotherapy notes” as that term is defined in 45 CFR § 164.501, and any use or disclosure of such notes requires your Authorization unless the use or disclosure is: a. For my use in treating you. b. For my use in training or supervising mental health practitioners to help them improve their skills in group, joint, family, or individual counseling or therapy. c. For my use in defending myself in legal proceedings instituted by you. d. For use by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate my compliance with HIPAA. e. Required by law, and the use or disclosure is limited to the requirements of such law. f. Required by law for certain health oversight activities pertaining to the originator of the psychotherapy notes. g. Required by a coroner who is performing duties authorized by law. h. Required to help avert a serious threat to the health and safety of others.
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Marketing Purposes. As a psychotherapist, I will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes.
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Sale of PHI. As a psychotherapist, I will not sell your PHI in the regular course of my business.
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IV. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION. Subject to certain limitations in the law, I can use and disclose your PHI without your Authorization for the following reasons:
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When disclosure is required by state or federal law, and the use or disclosure complies with and is limited to the relevant requirements of such law.
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For public health activities, including reporting suspected child, elder, or dependent adult abuse, or preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety.
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For health oversight activities, including audits and investigations.
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For judicial and administrative proceedings, including responding to a court or administrative order, although my preference is to obtain an Authorization from you before doing so.
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For law enforcement purposes, including reporting crimes occurring on my premises.
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To coroners or medical examiners, when such individuals are performing duties authorized by law.
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For research purposes, including studying and comparing the mental health of patients who received one form of therapy versus those who received another form of therapy for the same condition.
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Specialized government functions, including, ensuring the proper execution of military missions; protecting the President of the United States; conducting intelligence or counter-intelligence operations; or, helping to ensure the safety of those working within or housed in correctional institutions.
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For workers’ compensation purposes. Although I prefer obtaining an Authorization from you, I may provide your PHI to comply with workers’ compensation laws.
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Appointment reminders and health-related benefits or services. I may use and disclose your PHI to contact you to remind you that you have an appointment with me. I may also use and disclose your PHI to tell you about treatment alternatives or other healthcare services or benefits that I offer.
V. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT.
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Disclosures to family, friends, or others. I may provide your PHI to a family member, friend, or another person that you indicate is involved in your care or the payment for your healthcare unless you object in whole or in part. The opportunity to consent may be obtained retroactively in emergency situations.
VI. YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS CONCERNING YOUR PHI:
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The Right to Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures of Your PHI. You have the right to ask me not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations purposes. I am not required to agree to your request, and I may say “no” if I believe it would affect your healthcare.
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The Right to Request Restrictions for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Paid for In Full. You have the right to request restrictions on disclosures of your PHI to health plans for payment or healthcare operations purposes if the PHI pertains solely to a healthcare item or a healthcare service that you have paid for out-of-pocket in full.
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The Right to Choose How I Send PHI to You. You have the right to ask me to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address, and I will agree to all reasonable requests.
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The Right to See and Get Copies of Your PHI. Other than “psychotherapy notes,” you have the right to get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and additional information that I have about you. I will provide you with a copy of your record, or a summary of it, if you agree to receive a summary, within 30 days of receiving your written request, and I may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for doing so.
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The Right to Get a List of the Disclosures I Have Made. You have the right to request a list of instances in which I have disclosed your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, or for which you provided me with an Authorization. I will respond to your request for an accounting of disclosures within 60 days of receiving your request. The list I will give you will include disclosures made in the last six years unless you request a shorter time. I will provide the list to you at no charge, but if you make more than one request in the same year, I will charge you a reasonable cost-based fee for each additional request.
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The Right to Correct or Update Your PHI. If you believe there is a mistake in your PHI or that a piece of important information is missing from your PHI, you have the right to request that I correct the existing information or add the missing information. I may say “no” to your request, but I will tell you why in writing within 60 days of receiving your request.
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The Right to Get a Paper or Electronic Copy of this Notice. You have the right to get a paper copy of this Notice, and you have the right to get a copy of this notice by e-mail if you become a client.
Website Diclaimer
DISCLAIMER
The website www.therestorativecounselingservices.com (hereinafter “Website,” “Restorative Counseling Services website,” and “RCS website”) is owned and operated by Restorative Counseling Services, LLC in Texas (hereinafter “we” “us” “our”). Please read the following Disclaimer before using our website – by visiting and using this website, you (hereinafter “visitor,” “you,” “you are,” and “you’re”) are consenting that you have read this Disclaimer to the point that you feel you understand the terms outlined and agree to be bound by them.
Website Use
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To access or use the Restorative Counseling Services (RCS) website, you must be 18 years or older and have the mental capacity to enter into and abide by this Disclaimer. Using the RCS website, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the Disclaimer herein. Use of the RCS Website by anyone under 18 is not authorized or condoned by us. Our Website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. No one under the age of 13 may provide any personal information to or on the Website. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are under 13, do not use or provide any information on this Website or on or through any of its features/register on the Website, use any of the interactive or public comment features of this Website, or provide any information about yourself to us, including your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address or any screen name or username you may use. If we learn we have collected or received personal information from a child under 13 without verification of parental consent, we will delete that information. If you believe we might have any information from or about a child under 13, please contact us via our Contact Us link.
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This Disclaimer may be subject to changes or updates, and the RCS website may not provide notice of such changes or updates. We reserve our right to make changes or updates at any time, and the burden is on the user to routinely check Disclaimer for updates. By continuing to use the RCS website and the content we produce, you agree to be bound by the most updated version of the Disclaimer, whether or not you have read it. If you disagree with the Disclaimer, please do not use our website or any content that appears thereon.
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While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented on this website, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability concerning the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website.
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We are committed to protecting the privacy of our customers’ and client’s personal information. This statement applies with respect to the information that we collect from the RCS website. Amendments to this statement will be posted on the RCS website and will be effective when posted. Your continued use of this site following the posting of any amendment, modification, or change shall constitute your acceptance thereof. We may collect, and you may provide non-personally identifiable information about you through our website. In general, we will only use the information you provide to us for the purpose for which such information was provided. We may also use this information to deliver to you information about our RCS and promotional material. Your information may also be used to contact you when necessary.
Purpose
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All material found on this website, including text, images, audio, or other formats, is intended to provide general information about our counseling practice and services. It should not be construed as establishing a counselor-client relationship.
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Visitors to this website should not rely on the information as a substitute for seeking professional advice from a qualified counselor or mental health provider. You should consult a professional in the field if you have any specific questions about any mental health or counseling matter.
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We are not liable for any losses or damages from using this website or its content. By using this website, you agree to the terms of this Disclaimer.
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Please note that this Disclaimer may be updated or modified periodically, so visitors are encouraged to review it regularly for any changes.
Professional Advice
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The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The content does not substitute professional counseling services, diagnosis, or treatment.
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You, as the visitor, understand and agree that while I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and have been trained and educated to provide therapy that is shared on this website.
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Your reading information on my website does not make you our patient or client; no therapist-patient relationship is being formed. I cannot know you, your loved one, or your child’s personalized situation or condition, and I am not attempting nor suggesting you follow the content on the website. You agree to indemnify RCS and any affiliates, agents, or representatives from any causes of action, damages, losses, costs, or other expenses arising out of your use of the Website or any treatment decisions you elect based on something you read on the Website.
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The information contained on the website, written and sent out via email, or made available through our products, programs, and services is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy/counseling, nor is anything contained herein designed to provide you with a medical diagnosis, treatment, or other medical services.
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By visiting this site, you understand and agree this website is not providing any medical advice, is not providing counseling, or therapy services, is not a substitute for you seeking personalized therapy for yourself or someone else, nor is it attempting to diagnose or treat any mental or physical medical conditions.
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We encourage you to consult your physician/doctor and/or a licensed therapist if you suspect you may benefit from such services. We will assume that all individuals choosing to consume or implement any information found on the website will have previously obtained clearance and permission from their applicable personal medical physician or therapist and concluded that such information may be useful for them.
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We also encourage you to use common sense in determining whether any such content is right for you or your child and trust that you will discuss it with a personal medical professional before following any such information. Nothing on the website is intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any medical condition or disease, nor is it to be considered medical advice in any capacity.
Affiliates and Endorsements
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From time to time, we may partner with, promote, become an affiliate of, or otherwise engage in a joint venture with another individual or company we feel aligns with our products or services. You understand that we may receive financial compensation or other payment if an affiliate or joint venture program is featured on our website. Please note that we will only feature or promote clinicians, businesses, services, or products that we wholeheartedly agree with, believe in, and genuinely believe will help our audience.
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However, you understand and agree that you must use your own judgment to determine whether any promotion of another product or service is proper for you. Our decision to promote, suggest, or reference another service indicates nothing more than an acknowledgment that we respect or appreciate the business, person, or service. Your decision to use or purchase from such a promotion is yours alone, and you understand we are not involved in your decision, nor shall we have any liability should you purchase from a promoted product or service and become unsatisfied. You agree and understand we have no liability, and you will hold us harmless should this occur.
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Similarly, references to other clinicians, information, events, services, products, opinions, or companies on our website, blog, or emails are meant purely to share information, not as an endorsement or suggestion that you purchase or use whatever is being mentioned. We are not responsible for any information, content, emails, products, programs, or services of any other person, business, or entity that may be referenced on our website.