Notice of Privacy Practices

Grounded Path Therapy is required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information, provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.

We may update this notice from time to time. If we make material changes, the revised notice will be posted on this website and made available to clients as required.

We may use or disclose your protected health information for purposes permitted by law, including:

• Treatment: to provide, coordinate, or manage your care.
• Payment: to bill and collect payment for services, including providing documentation such as superbills when applicable.
• Health care operations: to run the practice, improve quality, conduct administrative activities, and comply with professional obligations.
• Appointment reminders and service communications: to contact you regarding appointments, scheduling, or practice matters.
• As required by law: when disclosure is required by federal, state, or local law.
• To avert a serious threat to health or safety: when permitted by law and professional standards.
• Public health, health oversight, and legal processes: when permitted or required for audits, investigations, court orders, subpoenas, or other lawful requests.
• Abuse, neglect, or domestic violence reporting: when reporting is required or permitted by law.
• Workers' compensation, law enforcement, or coroners and medical examiners: when disclosure is authorized or required by law.

We will obtain your written authorization for uses and disclosures of your information when required by law, including most uses or disclosures related to:

• Psychotherapy notes, when applicable.
• Marketing communications, except as otherwise permitted.
• The sale of protected health information.
• Other disclosures not described in this notice unless a legal exception applies.

You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent action has already been taken in reliance on it.

You have rights regarding your protected health information, including:

• The right to request access to or a copy of your records, subject to legal and professional limitations.
• The right to request an amendment to your records.
• The right to request an accounting of certain disclosures made by the practice.
• The right to request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures, though we may not always be required to agree.
• The right to request confidential communications by alternative means or at alternative locations.
• The right to receive a paper copy of this notice upon request.

In certain circumstances permitted or required by law, information may be disclosed to a parent, guardian, personal representative, or another person involved in care or payment for care.

These situations depend on clinical judgment, consent, and applicable legal requirements.

This practice provides telehealth services and may use secure electronic systems for scheduling, documentation, and client communication. Reasonable safeguards are used to protect your information, but no electronic system can guarantee absolute security.

Website inquiries are covered separately by the website Privacy Policy. Once you become a client, your protected health information is handled according to this Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law.

If you have questions about this notice or believe your privacy rights may have been violated, you may contact Grounded Path Therapy at vanessalylcsw@gmail.com.

You also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.