Effective Date: 03/01/2023
Austin Holistic Psychology, PLLC is committed to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your information. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information collected through our website and how we protect your health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).
By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms outlined below.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of information:
- Personal Information You Provide: When you complete the “Contact Us” form, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, and any additional details you choose to include.
- Protected Health Information (PHI): If you become a client or patient, we may collect and maintain information related to your health, treatment, and payment for services, which is protected under HIPAA.
- Non-Personal Information: We may automatically collect certain technical data, such as IP address, browser type, and website usage information, through cookies or similar technologies.
2. Use of Information
We use the information collected for the following purposes:
- Website Communications: To respond to inquiries submitted through the “Contact Us” form. Please note: the form is intended for general inquiries only and is not a secure method for transmitting sensitive clinical or health information. Submitting this form does not establish a therapist–client relationship.
- Clinical Services: If you engage in psychological services with us, we may use your PHI for treatment, payment, and health care operations, as permitted by HIPAA.
- Legal and Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and professional obligations.
3. HIPAA Compliance and Your Rights
As a covered entity under HIPAA, we are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your PHI.
- Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI.
- Abide by the terms of the Privacy Policy currently in effect.
Your rights under HIPAA include:
- The right to access and obtain a copy of your health records.
- The right to request an amendment to your records if you believe they are inaccurate.
- The right to request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed, subject to certain limitations.
- The right to receive an accounting of disclosures of your PHI.
- The right to request confidential communications.
- The right to receive a paper copy of this policy.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the information listed in Section 8 below.
4. Disclosure of Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We may disclose information only in the following circumstances:
- For Treatment, Payment, and Operations: As necessary to provide psychological services, process billing, or manage business operations.
- With Your Authorization: We will obtain written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes not described in this policy.
- As Required by Law: When disclosure is mandated by law, court order, or government regulation.
- For Safety: To protect the safety of you or others in cases where disclosure is legally or ethically required.
5. Data Security
We implement reasonable physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect both personal information and PHI from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, no method of electronic communication or storage is completely secure. We strongly advise against including sensitive health information in our website’s “Contact Us” form.
6. Retention of Information
- Website Inquiries: Information submitted via the “Contact Us” form is retained only as long as necessary to address your inquiry.
- Health Records: PHI is retained in accordance with HIPAA and applicable state laws regarding medical record retention.
7. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or security of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.
8. Contact Information
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, our privacy practices, or your HIPAA rights, please contact us at:
9. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with the revised “Effective Date.” We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
