Healgood Holistic Counseling Center
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: November 2, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND
HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Practice Information
Healgood Holistic Counseling Center
Thrive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, DBA Healgood Holistic Counseling Center
Privacy & Security Officer: Chelsea Fielder-Jenks, MA, LPC-S, CEDS-C, PMH-C
Office: 5840 Balcones Drive, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78731
Phone: (512) 648-4313
Email: Hello [at] HealgoodCounseling [dot] com
Website: https://www.healgoodcounseling.com
Contact Form: https://www.healgoodcounseling.com/contact
About This Notice
Your privacy is important to me. This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how Healgood Holistic Counseling Center (“Healgood”) may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), your rights regarding that information, and my legal responsibilities for protecting it.
Protected health information includes information that identifies you and relates to your physical or mental health, healthcare services, or payment for care. Examples include intake information, diagnoses, treatment plans, progress notes, appointment information, billing records, and communications related to your treatment.
Healgood is a solo clinical practice. I am the treating clinician, practice owner, and designated HIPAA Privacy and Security Officer. I am responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your information and following applicable federal and Texas privacy laws.
This notice applies to protected health information created, received, or maintained by Healgood in connection with healthcare services.
1. My Responsibilities for Protecting Your Information
Healgood is required by law to:
Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
Provide information about my legal duties and privacy practices.
Follow the terms of the Notice of Privacy Practices currently in effect.
Protect your information through appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.
Notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information when required by law.
Respect your rights regarding access, amendment, confidentiality, and permitted uses and disclosures of your information.
I use an electronic health record system and other service providers to support clinical documentation, scheduling, communication, and payment processing. When these providers handle protected health information on behalf of Healgood, applicable privacy requirements and Business Associate Agreements establish their responsibilities for safeguarding that information.
I will not use or disclose your protected health information except as described in this notice, as authorized by you, or as otherwise permitted or required by law.
2. How Your Health Information May Be Used or Disclosed
HIPAA permits certain uses and disclosures of protected health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without a separate HIPAA authorization. Other uses and disclosures are permitted or required only under specific legal circumstances.
Texas law and other applicable confidentiality protections may impose additional requirements or restrictions. When another applicable law provides greater protection for your information, Healgood will follow that law.
Treatment
I may use your protected health information to assess your needs, provide counseling, develop treatment plans, document services, and coordinate clinical care.
For example, I may communicate with a psychiatrist, physician, registered dietitian, or another healthcare professional involved in your treatment when disclosure is legally permitted or appropriately authorized.
Mental health records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Texas law. When written authorization is required, I will obtain it before releasing the information.
Payment
I may use or disclose information necessary to collect payment for services, maintain financial records, process transactions, provide receipts or superbills, resolve payment disputes, and address outstanding balances.
For example, Healgood uses payment-processing services to collect fees and may disclose information necessary to resolve a disputed charge or collect a valid unpaid balance.
Healgood is a private-pay practice and does not routinely submit claims to commercial insurance companies. If you request a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement, you decide whether to submit it to your insurance company.
Healthcare Operations
I may use or disclose protected health information as permitted by law for activities necessary to operate the practice, maintain quality of care, comply with professional requirements, and support business administration.
Examples include maintaining electronic records, conducting privacy and security reviews, obtaining legal or accounting services, managing practice operations, and participating in professional consultation under appropriate confidentiality protections.
Business associates performing services on behalf of Healgood are required to protect information according to applicable privacy laws and contractual obligations.
Appointment Reminders & Treatment-Related Communication
I may use your contact information to communicate about appointments, scheduling, treatment-related matters, billing, and other healthcare services.
Communications may occur through the secure Sessions Health client portal, telephone, email, or other methods consistent with your communication preferences and applicable law.
You may request confidential communications through an alternative method or at an alternative location, as described in Section 5.
3. Other Uses & Disclosures Permitted or Required by Law
Certain circumstances permit or require the use or disclosure of protected health information without a separate written authorization. These situations are governed by applicable legal requirements.
Suspected Abuse or Neglect
I am a mandated reporter and must report suspected abuse or neglect when required by law, including applicable reporting obligations involving children, older adults, and adults with disabilities.
Disclosures will be made to the appropriate agencies or authorities according to applicable reporting requirements.
Serious Threats to Health or Safety
Texas law permits certain disclosures to appropriate medical, mental health, or law enforcement personnel when statutory criteria involving imminent physical injury or immediate mental or emotional injury are met.
Decisions involving safety-related disclosures are guided by clinical assessment, applicable law, and professional judgment.
Public Health & Safety Activities
I may disclose information for legally authorized public health or safety activities, including required reporting, prevention of serious threats, and other activities specifically permitted or required by law.
Health Oversight & Professional Regulation
Protected health information may be disclosed to legally authorized oversight agencies in connection with investigations, inspections, audits, licensing matters, or other regulatory activities.
This may include disclosures to the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when required or permitted by law.
Court Orders, Subpoenas & Legal Proceedings
Certain legal proceedings may require or permit disclosure of protected health information.
A subpoena or request from an attorney does not automatically authorize the release of all requested mental health records. Requests are reviewed under applicable confidentiality, privilege, and legal-process requirements before information is disclosed.
I may seek legal consultation or clarification regarding the scope of a request.
Law Enforcement & Government Requests
I may disclose information to law enforcement officials or government agencies when required or specifically permitted by applicable law.
Certain disclosures are also permitted for specialized government functions, including military, national security, or other legally authorized activities.
Workers' Compensation
Information may be disclosed as authorized by laws governing workers' compensation or similar programs that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses.
Research
HIPAA permits certain uses and disclosures for research when applicable legal requirements are satisfied, including required authorizations, review procedures, or recognized exceptions.
Healgood does not routinely use identifiable client information for research.
Deceased Individuals
Information about a deceased individual may be disclosed to medical examiners, coroners, funeral directors, or other legally authorized individuals when permitted or required by law.
HIPAA generally continues to protect a deceased person's information for 50 years after death. Limited disclosures to individuals involved in the person's care or payment for care before death may be permitted when consistent with applicable law and the person's previously expressed preferences.
Other Legally Required Disclosures
I may use or disclose protected health information when federal or Texas law requires it. Disclosures will be evaluated under applicable confidentiality protections and limited as required by law.
4. Disclosures That Require Your Authorization or Involvement
Disclosures to Family, Friends & Others Involved in Your Care
You may identify family members, friends, or other individuals involved in your healthcare or payment for your care.
When permitted by law, I may share information directly relevant to their involvement if you agree or have an opportunity to object and do not object. In certain circumstances where you cannot communicate your preferences, limited disclosures may be permitted based on your best interests.
Because mental health information receives additional protection under Texas law, I will obtain written authorization when required.
Paying for someone's treatment does not automatically provide access to their clinical information.
Additional rules apply to minors, legally authorized representatives, and family or relationship therapy.
Disclosures Requiring Written Authorization
Uses and disclosures not otherwise permitted or required by law will be made only with your written authorization.
Written authorization is required for certain activities, including:
Most uses and disclosures of separately maintained psychotherapy notes.
Marketing activities requiring authorization under HIPAA.
The sale of protected health information.
Other disclosures for which federal or Texas law requires specific authorization.
Healgood does not sell protected health information.
I do not use client treatment information to solicit public testimonials or reviews.
You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time. Revocation applies to future uses and disclosures but does not reverse actions already taken in reliance on a valid authorization.
Psychotherapy Notes
HIPAA provides special protections for psychotherapy notes as defined by federal law. These are notes documenting or analyzing the contents of a counseling session that are maintained separately from the general clinical record.
Psychotherapy notes are distinct from ordinary progress notes, treatment plans, diagnoses, medication information, session times, and other information maintained in the clinical record.
Most uses and disclosures of separately maintained psychotherapy notes require specific written authorization, subject to limited legal exceptions.
Disclosures to Third Parties & Redisclosure
When health information is lawfully disclosed to another person or organization, the recipient may be subject to different privacy requirements. In some circumstances, information may be redisclosed by that recipient and no longer protected by HIPAA.
Additional restrictions apply to certain specially protected information, including records governed by 42 CFR Part 2.
5. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
You have important rights concerning the protected health information maintained by Healgood. To exercise these rights, contact me using the information provided in this notice.
Right to Access & Receive Copies of Your Records
You have the right to request access to or copies of protected health information maintained in your designated record set, subject to applicable legal exceptions.
Requests may be submitted through the secure Sessions Health client portal or in writing to Healgood.
Under Texas Health and Safety Code §181.102, when the electronic health record system is capable of fulfilling a qualifying written request, electronic records must generally be provided within 15 business days after the request is received, unless an applicable legal exception applies or you agree to another format.
HIPAA generally requires action on access requests within 30 calendar days, with one permitted extension of up to 30 additional calendar days when the required written notice is provided. The applicable shorter Texas deadline will be followed when it governs the request.
If access is denied in whole or in part, you will receive an explanation and information about applicable review rights.
You may request an electronic copy in a readily producible format and direct that a copy be transmitted to another person or organization as permitted by law.
Any fees for copies will comply with applicable federal and Texas requirements. Access to records will not be withheld solely because of an outstanding treatment balance.
Right to Request an Amendment
You may request an amendment to protected health information that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
Requests should be submitted in writing and explain the information you believe needs correction.
I will review and respond within the timeframe required by law, generally within 60 days under HIPAA. A permitted extension may apply when the required written notice is provided.
If a request is denied, you will receive a written explanation and information about your right to submit a statement of disagreement or exercise other applicable rights.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your protected health information for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or disclosures to individuals involved in your care.
I will consider your request but am not required to agree to every requested restriction. If I agree, I will follow the restriction unless an exception permitted by law applies.
If you pay in full for a healthcare service, you have the right to request that information about that service not be disclosed to your health plan for payment or healthcare operations when the disclosure is not otherwise required by law. I am required to honor a qualifying request.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request that Healgood communicate with you through a specific method or at an alternative address or telephone number.
For example, you may request that I use the secure client portal rather than email or contact you at a particular phone number.
I will accommodate reasonable requests for confidential communications. You are not required to explain why you are making the request.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request an accounting of certain disclosures of your protected health information made during the six years preceding your request.
The accounting will identify disclosures required to be included under applicable law. Certain disclosures, including many made for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or pursuant to your authorization, are excluded from the standard accounting requirement.
Requests will be addressed within 60 days, subject to a permitted extension when appropriate notice is provided.
One accounting within a 12-month period is provided without charge. Additional requests may be subject to reasonable, cost-based fees, with advance notice of any charge.
Right to a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper or electronic copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
You have the right to receive a paper copy even if you previously agreed to receive notices electronically.
Right to Designate a Personal Representative
A person legally authorized to act on your behalf, such as a healthcare agent or legal guardian, may exercise certain privacy rights for you.
Before disclosing information or accepting instructions from a representative, I will verify the person's legal authority and consider applicable restrictions or exceptions.
Additional legal requirements apply to parents and guardians seeking access to a minor client's information.
Right to File a Complaint
You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
You may contact Healgood or submit a complaint directly to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.
You will not be retaliated against for exercising your privacy rights or filing a complaint.
6. Additional Protections for Substance Use Disorder Records
Certain substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records are protected by federal confidentiality requirements under 42 CFR Part 2.
These requirements apply to records that meet the legal criteria for Part 2 protection, including qualifying records created or maintained by federally assisted substance use disorder programs. Not every reference to substance use in a general psychotherapy record is automatically subject to Part 2.
When Healgood receives or maintains records protected by Part 2, those records will be used and disclosed according to the applicable federal requirements.
Consent for Treatment, Payment & Healthcare Operations
Part 2 generally requires patient consent for specified uses and disclosures of protected SUD records, subject to recognized exceptions.
Federal law permits certain consent arrangements authorizing future uses and disclosures for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. Information disclosed under a valid consent may, in specified circumstances, be further used or disclosed by HIPAA-covered recipients according to applicable federal requirements.
Where separate consent is required, it will be obtained before the protected information is disclosed.
Additional Protection in Legal Proceedings
Part 2-protected SUD records, and testimony describing their contents, cannot be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you except as specifically permitted by federal law.
Such use or disclosure generally requires your written consent or a qualifying court order following the required notice and opportunity to be heard. A court order authorizing disclosure must also be accompanied by a subpoena or other legal requirement compelling disclosure.
A general authorization for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations does not independently authorize the use of these records against you in legal proceedings.
Substance Use Disorder Counseling Notes
When separately maintained notes meet the federal definition of SUD counseling notes, additional authorization requirements apply. Consent for their use or disclosure must satisfy Part 2 requirements.
Fundraising Communications
Healgood does not use protected SUD treatment records for fundraising communications.
If that practice changes, any use of Part 2-protected information for fundraising will comply with applicable requirements, including providing the required opportunity to decline such communications.
Rights & Complaints Involving Part 2 Records
Individuals whose records are protected by Part 2 have additional confidentiality rights and may file complaints regarding suspected violations with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.
7. Electronic Health Records, Technology & Privacy
Electronic Health Records
Healgood uses Sessions Health to maintain electronic clinical records and support scheduling, documentation, secure communication, and administrative functions.
Electronic health information is maintained and processed using security measures and contractual safeguards intended to protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Healgood follows applicable requirements governing electronic health records and health information privacy, including Texas requirements concerning electronic record storage and access.
Electronic Communication
Email, text messaging, voicemail, and other electronic communications may present privacy risks, particularly when devices or accounts are shared or communications are not encrypted.
The secure Sessions Health client portal is the preferred method for confidential clinical communication outside appointments.
You may request alternative communication arrangements as described in this notice.
Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Documentation
Sessions Health offers optional artificial intelligence (AI) features that may assist with clinical documentation and the organization or summarization of information already contained in the clinical record.
I may use these tools to improve documentation clarity, prepare draft notes from information I have written, or summarize existing records to support treatment preparation and continuity of care.
I do not use AI to record, listen to, or transcribe therapy sessions.
I remain responsible for reviewing documentation, correcting inaccuracies, exercising independent clinical judgment, and protecting client information.
When AI-assisted tools process protected health information on behalf of Healgood, their use is subject to applicable privacy, security, and business associate requirements.
Additional information about my use of these tools is provided in Healgood's Informed Consent & Practice Policies.
8. Privacy Considerations for Minors & Shared Treatment
Minor Clients
Parents, guardians, and other legally authorized representatives may have rights to obtain information about a minor client's healthcare, subject to applicable federal and Texas law.
Certain circumstances, including legally authorized minor-consented services, specific confidentiality protections, and court orders, may limit those rights.
Requests involving minor clients will be evaluated according to the legal authority of the requesting person and the confidentiality requirements applicable to the records.
Family & Relationship Counseling
Family and relationship counseling may involve more than one participant, and the identity of the legally recognized client can affect records access and authorization requirements.
Requests to disclose information from shared treatment records will be evaluated according to the treatment arrangement, applicable consent, legal rights of the participants, and confidentiality requirements.
Participation in or payment for a family or relationship session does not automatically authorize access to every participant's confidential health information.
9. Breach Notification
Healgood maintains procedures for identifying, evaluating, documenting, and responding to potential breaches of protected health information.
If a breach of unsecured protected health information occurs, I will determine the applicable notification requirements and notify affected individuals and appropriate authorities as required by law.
Notifications will be provided within legally required timeframes and will include information about the incident, information involved, and available protective measures when required.
Business associates are responsible for reporting applicable incidents to Healgood under their legal and contractual obligations.
10. Changes to This Notice
Healgood reserves the right to revise this Notice of Privacy Practices as permitted by law and apply the revised terms to protected health information maintained by the practice, including information created or received before the revision.
Material changes to privacy practices will be reflected in an updated notice. The revised notice will identify its effective date.
The current notice will be available through Healgood's website, at the office, and upon request.
You may request a copy of the notice in effect at any time.
11. Questions, Privacy Requests & Complaints
Contact Healgood
For questions about this notice, requests involving your health information, or concerns about privacy practices, please contact:
Chelsea Fielder-Jenks, MA, LPC-S, CEDS-C, PMH-C
HIPAA Privacy & Security Officer
Healgood Holistic Counseling Center
5840 Balcones Drive, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78731
Phone: (512) 648-4313
Email: Hello [at] HealgoodCounseling [dot] com
Contact Form: https://www.healgoodcounseling.com/contact
Website: https://www.healgoodcounseling.com
Federal HIPAA Complaints
You may submit a complaint directly to:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/
Texas Professional Licensing Complaints
Questions or complaints concerning professional counseling licensure may also be directed to:
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 7.300
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 305-7700
Complaint Line: (800) 821-3205
Website: https://bhec.texas.gov/discipline-and-complaints/
You may submit a complaint to an appropriate authority without first discussing it with me.
Healgood will not retaliate against you for exercising your legal rights.
12. Notice Acknowledgment
This notice replaces Healgood's previous Notice of Privacy Practices, originally effective November 1, 2017, and last amended November 25, 2024.
Clients receiving services through Healgood will be provided with this notice, and acknowledgment of receipt will be requested and documented according to applicable requirements.
Acknowledgment of receipt does not waive privacy rights or authorize the disclosure of protected health information beyond what is otherwise permitted or required by law.
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