Privacy Policy

Notice of Katharine Jamison, LCPCs’ Policies and Practices to Protect the Privacy of Your Health Information 

This notice describes how psychological and mental health, or professional information about you may be used and disclosed and how  you can obtain access to this information should you need.  The document (the Agreement) contains important information about our professional services and business policies. It also contains summary information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that provides new privacy protections and patient rights with regard to the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information (PHI) used for the purpose of treatment, payment, and health care operation. HIPAA requires that we provide you with a Notice of Privacy Practices (the Notice) for use and disclosure of PHI  for treatment, payment, and health care operations. The Notice, which you are given with this Agreement, explains HIPAA and its application to your personal health information in greater detail. The law requires that we obtain your signature acknowledging that we have provided you with this information. Although these documents are long and sometimes complex, it is very important that you read them carefully before your treatment here. We can discuss any questions you have about the procedures during session. You may revoke this Agreement in writing at any time. That revocation will be binding on us unless we have taken action in reliance on it; if there are obligations imposed on us by your health insurer in order to substantiate claims made under your policy; or if you have not satisfied any financial obligations you have incurred. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. 

USES AND DISCLOSURES FOR TREATMENT, PAYMENT, AND HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS 

Katharine Jamison, LCPC may use or disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI), for treatment, payment, and health care operations  purposes with your consent. To help clarify these terms, here are some definitions: 

- “PHI” refers to information in your health record that could identify you. 

- “Treatment” is when Katharine Jamison, LCPC provides, coordinates, or manages your health care and other services related to your  health care. An example of treatment would be when Katharine Jamison, LCPC consult with another health care provider, such as you  family physician, your psychiatrist, or another psychologist with whom you have been in treatment. 

- “Payment” is when Katharine Jamison, LCPC obtains reimbursement for your healthcare. Examples of payment are when Katharine Jamison, LCPC disclose  your PHI  to your health insurer to obtain reimbursement for your health care or to determine eligibility or  coverage. 

- “Healthcare Operations” are activities that relate to the performance and operation of therapy practice.  Examples of healthcare operations are quality assessment and improvement activities, business-related  matters such as audits and administrative services, and case management and care coordination. 

- “Use” applies only to activities within my office, such as sharing, employing, applying, utilizing, examining,  and analyzing information that identifies you. 

- “Disclosure” applies to activities outside of my office, such as releasing, transferring, or providing access to  information about you to other parties. 

USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING AUTHORIZATION 

Katharine Jamison, LCPC may use or disclose PHI  for purposes outside of treatment, payment, and health care operations only when your  appropriate authorization is obtained. An “authorization” is written permission above and beyond the general consent  that permits only specific disclosures. In those instances when Katharine Jamison, LCPC is asked for information for purposes outside of  treatment, payment and health care operations, Katharine Jamison, LCPC will always obtain an authorization from you before releasing this information.  Katharine Jamison, LCPC will also need to obtain an authorization before releasing your psychotherapy notes. “Psychotherapy notes” are notes  Katharine Jamison, LCPC has made about our conversation during a private counseling or consulting session, which Katharine Jamison, LCPC has kept  safe according to HIPAA guidelines. 

You may revoke all such authorizations (of PHI  or psychotherapy notes) at any time, by providing each request in  writing. 

USES AND DISCLOSURES WITH NEITHER CONSENT NOR AUTHORIZATION

Katharine Jamison, LCPC may use or disclose PHI without your consent or authorization only in the following circumstances: 

Child Abuse: If Katharine Jamison, LCPC have cause to believe that a child has been, or may be, abused, neglected, or sexually abused, Katharine Jamison, LCPC  must make a report of such within 48 hours to the State Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, the State  Youth Commission, or to any local or state law enforcement agency. 

Adult and Domestic Abuse: If Katharine Jamison, LCPC have cause to believe that an elderly or disabled person is in a state of abuse,  neglect, or exploitation, Katharine Jamison, LCPC must immediately report such to the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.  

Health Oversight: If a complaint is filed against me with the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, they have the  authority to subpoena confidential mental health information from me relevant to that complaint. 

Judicial or Administrative Proceedings: If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for  information about your diagnosis and treatment and the records therefore, such information is privileged under state  law, and Katharine Jamison, LCPC will not release information, without written authorization from you or your personal or legally appointed  representative, or a court order. The privilege does not apply when you are being evaluated for a third party or where  the evaluation is court ordered. You will be informed in advance if this is the case. 

Serious Threat to Health or Safety: If Katharine Jamison, LCPC determines that there is a probability of imminent physical injury by you to  yourself or others, or there is a probability of immediate mental or emotional injury to you, Katharine Jamison, LCPC may disclose relevant  confidential mental health information to medical or law enforcement personnel. 

PATIENT'S RIGHTS AND MY DUTIES 

Patient’s Rights: 

Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected  health information about you. However, Katharine Jamison, LCPCs are not required to agree to a restriction you request. 

Right to Receive Confidential Communications by Alternative Means and at Alternative Locations: You have the  right to request and receive confidential communications of PHI  by alternative means and at alternative locations. (For  example, you may not want a family member to know that you are seeing me. Upon your request, Katharine Jamison, LCPC will send  information to another address.) 

Right to Inspect and Copy: The laws and standards of my profession require that Katharine Jamison, LCPC keeps your PHI  in your Clinical  Record, stored according to HIPAA guidelines. Except in unusual circumstances that involve danger to yourself and/or others, you may examine and/or  receive a copy of your Clinical Record if you request it in writing. If Katharine Jamison, LCPC refuses  your request for access to your records, you have a right of review, which Katharine Jamison, LCPC will discuss with you upon your request.  

Right to Amend: You have the right to request an amendment of PHI  for as long as the PHI  is maintained in the  record. Katharine Jamison, LCPC may deny your request. On your request, Katharine Jamison, LCPC will discuss with you the details of the amendment process.

Right to an Accounting: You generally have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI  for which you  have neither provided consent nor authorization (as described in Section IIKatharine Jamison, LCPC of this Notice). On your request, Katharine Jamison, LCPC will  discuss with you the details of the accounting process. 

Right to a Paper Copy: You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this notice from me upon request, even if you  have agreed to receive the notice electronically. 

My Duties: 

- Katharine Jamison, LCPC is required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI  and to provide you with a notice of my legal duties and  privacy practices with respect to PHI. 

- Katharine Jamison, LCPC reserves the right to change the privacy policies and practices described in this notice. Unless Katharine Jamison, LCPC notify you of  such changes, however, Katharine Jamison, LCPC is required to abide by the terms currently in effect.

- If Katharine Jamison, LCPC revises policies and procedures, Katharine Jamison, LCPC will provide you a revised copy at your next visit or by mail. 

APPOINTMENTS  

Appointments are usually scheduled on the hour and last 50 minutes (one professional hour.) Counseling or Consulting is a time sensitive activity and your appointment is reserved specifically for you. If you must cancel an appointment or reschedule, please cancel or email 24 hours before the appointment time. Cancellations and no-shows are charged the regular fee, which is collected at time of booking appointment. If you’re able to provide proof of an emergency during your session, Katharine Jamison, LCPC will reschedule appointment with you for another time. 

LENGTH AND TERMINATION OF COUNSELING AND CONSULTING SESSIONS 

The number of counseling or consulting sessions needed is up to you, and may vary depending on the type of issues you bring to session. Katharine Jamison, LCPC will take into account individual factors and discuss a time frame that meets your needs. Because of the importance of the therapeutic relationship between client and counseling, Katharine Jamison, LCPC encourages you to talk to her if you have additional concerns.

QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS 

If you are concerned that the Katharine Jamison, LCPC has violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with a decision Katharine Jamison, LCPC made about access to your records, please discuss these concerns with me. 

You may also send a written complaint to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Katharine Jamison, LCPC can  provide you with the appropriate address upon request.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Katharine is committed to remaining a truly equal-opportunity provider, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, including Conservatives. Katharine prioritizes a therapy process that steers clear of identity politics, focusing instead on empathy and understanding; not exploring privilege. We'll navigate your unique challenges in an environment free of judgment, bias, and wokeness.

EFFECTIVE DATE, RESTRICTIONS AND CHANGES TO PRIVACY POLICY 

Katharine Jamison, LCPC reserves the right to change the terms of this notice and to make the new notice provisions effective for all PHI  that Katharine Jamison, LCPC  maintains. Katharine Jamison, LCPC will provide you with a revised notice at your next visit or by mail.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ME (KATHARINE JAMISON, LCPC.)