NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES FOR COUNSELING PRACTICE
Julie Parkin, MS, LMFT
Phone: 281-221-7543
Email: julie@julieparkin.com
Effective Date: September 17, 2026
PLEASE REVIEW THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how I may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), your rights regarding your health information, and my responsibilities regarding your privacy.
I am required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI, provide you with this notice of my privacy practices and legal duties, and follow the privacy practices described in this notice.
YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to:
• Get a copy of your paper or electronic health records.
• Ask me to correct information in your records that you believe is incorrect or incomplete. I may deny a request when permitted by law, but I will provide a written explanation.
• Request confidential communication. You may ask me to contact you in a specific way or at a specific location.
• Ask me to limit how I use or disclose your health information. I am not required to agree to every request.
• Request a list of certain disclosures of your health information.
• Receive a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
• Choose someone to act on your behalf when that person has legal authority to do so.
• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
HOW I MAY USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION
I may use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization when permitted or required by law, including for the following purposes:
Treatment
I may use or disclose information to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care. For example, I may communicate with another health care professional involved in your care when permitted by law.
Payment
I may use or disclose information as necessary to obtain or process payment for services.
Health Care Operations
I may use or disclose information as necessary to operate my practice, maintain records, conduct quality-related activities, and perform other activities permitted by law.
Appointments and Communication
I may use your contact information to schedule appointments, send appointment reminders, communicate about services, and provide information related to your care.
People Involved in Your Care
When permitted by law, I may disclose limited information to a family member, friend, or other person involved in your care or payment for your care when you agree or when the law otherwise permits the disclosure.
DISCLOSURES REQUIRED OR PERMITTED BY LAW
I may disclose PHI when required or permitted by applicable federal or Texas law, including when necessary to:
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation when reporting is required by law.
• Prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety when permitted by law.
• Comply with certain court or administrative orders, subpoenas, or other lawful legal processes when disclosure is authorized or required by law.
• Respond to law enforcement requests when permitted by law.
• Comply with health oversight or licensing activities.
• Comply with workers' compensation requirements.
• Assist coroners or medical examiners when permitted by law.
• Comply with other legal requirements that apply to my practice.
TEXAS MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS
Texas law provides additional protections for mental health communications and records. Communications between a patient and a professional, as well as records relating to the patient's identity, diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment, are confidential and may be disclosed only as authorized or required by applicable law.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 611 provides specific rules regarding confidentiality, disclosure, and access to mental health records. These protections apply in addition to applicable federal privacy requirements.
RECORD ACCESS
You may request access to your mental health records as permitted by law. Texas law provides specific procedures concerning access to mental health records.
If I use an electronic health record system capable of fulfilling your request, Texas law generally requires that a written request for an electronic health record be fulfilled in electronic form no later than the 15th business day after the request is received, subject to applicable exceptions.
USES REQUIRING YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
I will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI when an authorization is required by law.
Examples include:
• Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes.
• Uses or disclosures for marketing when authorization is required.
• A sale of your PHI when authorization is required.
• Other uses or disclosures not otherwise permitted or required by law.
You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that action has already been taken based on the authorization.
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS
If I create or maintain records that are subject to the federal confidentiality requirements for substance use disorder patient records under 42 CFR Part 2, those records may be subject to additional federal protections.
Part 2 protections may limit the use or disclosure of those records for certain investigations or legal proceedings. Applicable Part 2 requirements will be followed when they apply.
MY RESPONSIBILITIES
I am required by law to:
• Maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.
• Provide you with this notice describing my legal duties and privacy practices.
• Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.
• Notify you as required by law if a breach occurs that compromises the privacy or security of your PHI.
• Comply with applicable federal and Texas privacy laws.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
I may change the terms of this Notice of Privacy Practices. Any revised notice will apply to information I already maintain about you as well as information received in the future.
A current copy of the notice will be available upon request and will be posted on my website when required.
QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS
If you have questions about this notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact:
Julie Parkin, MS, LMFT
281-221-7543
julie@julieparkin.com
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
You may also contact the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council regarding a complaint concerning a licensed marriage and family therapist:
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 7.300
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 512-305-7700
Investigations/Complaints: 800-821-3205
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.