Privacy & Policies

I take your privacy very seriously as this is a major aspect of trust in our relationship and work together. Here you can find copies of privacy information and other policies to keep for your own reference. Please let me know if at any point you have questions about privacy, security, or other policies.

Your health records contain sensitive information that are protected following HIPAA and HITECH federal regulations. Your privacy is also important in other ways such as electronic communications and in public interactions. Electronic and text communication can be secured with encryption, but are ultimately not fully protected so I highly recommend being succinct and including very little sensitive information when emailing or texting me. When we meet we will discuss maintaining your confidentiality with your records, incidental public interactions, and limitations to protect safety.

This is a copy of privacy policies that you can keep for your records, any official signed copies are kept with health records: HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

As a summary, your privacy is maintained to the fullest extent of the law, but does include the following limitations:

  • If you seek reimbursement for services using your health insurance, some of your health record is released to your insurance company as part of payment and reimbursement

  • If you are in imminent danger of killing yourself and there is nothing else we can do to protect your life

  • If you are an imminent threat to killing or seriously harming someone else

  • I am required by law to report information about ongoing child abuse or the current potential threat of abuse

  • I am required by law to report information about the ongoing abuse of an adult dependent or elder person, or the current potential threat of abuse

  • If you are involved in a legal case that involves your mental health, I am required by law to comply with subpoenas and court orders, which may or may not involve releasing your records to a judge

  • If a complaint is filed against my professional license, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists has the ability to subpoena health records that are relevant to the complaint

  • While not automatically required by law, there are some circumstances where it is more likely that you will be asked by a third party to sign a release for your records (e.g., military service, worker’s compensation, state bar exams, etc.)