Notice of privacy practices

Heal ATL Counseling & Wellness

1117 Perimeter Center West

Suite N102

Atlanta, GA 30338

833-HEAL-ATL

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

Effective: 2/16/2026

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.

I. COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY:   Heal ATL Counseling & Wellness (henceforth referred to as “This Practice”) understand that privacy and confidentiality are essential to effective therapy. We protect your information with administrative, physical, and technical safeguards, limit access to those who need it to do their jobs, and use or disclose information only as described in this Notice or as you authorize in writing.

Private-pay practice note: We are a self-pay practice. We do not bill insurance and do not disclose your information to insurance companies for payment.

II. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION: When it comes to your health information, you have the right to:

  1. Get a copy of your record
    You can ask to see or get a copy of your record and other health information we have about you. We will provide a copy or summary, usually within 30 days. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

  2. Ask us to correct (amend) your record
    You can ask us to correct information you believe is incorrect or incomplete. We may deny your request in certain cases, but we will tell you why in writing.

  3. Request confidential communications
    You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, only by email, only at certain phone numbers, or sending mail to a different address). We will accommodate reasonable requests.

  4. Ask us to limit what we use or share
    You can ask us not to use or disclose certain information for treatment, payment, or operations. We are not required to agree to all requests, but we will consider them carefully.

If you pay out-of-pocket in full for a service, you can ask us not to share information about that service with a health plan for payment or operations, and we must agree unless a law requires disclosure. 

  1. Get a list of certain disclosures (an accounting)
    You can ask for a list of certain disclosures we’ve made, typically for up to six years prior to your request (with exceptions).

  2. Get a copy of this Notice
    You can ask for a paper copy at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

  3. Choose someone to act for you
    If someone has legal authority to act for you (for example, health care power of attorney or legal guardian), that person can exercise your rights once we verify their authority.

  4. File a complaint
    You can complain to us and/or to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

III.  YOUR CHOICES:    For certain situations, you can tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions (within the limits of law):

  • Sharing with family, friends, or others involved in your care
    We will generally ask for your permission in writing before sharing information with family members, partners, or others (including emergency contacts), unless you are unable to make decisions and we believe sharing is in your best interest.

  • Communication methods
    If you want us to leave voicemail, text, or email you, you can tell us your preferences (including what details may be included). You can change your preferences at any time.

We will not share your information in these situations unless you give written permission

  • Marketing (as defined by HIPAA)

  • Sale of your information

  • Most sharing of psychotherapy notes (see below)

IV. HOW HEAL ATL COUNSELING & WELLNESS MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION:  HIPAA allows (and sometimes requires) certain uses and disclosures. We keep them as limited as possible and consistent with ethical therapy practice. 

1) For treatment

We may use your information to provide you therapy services and to coordinate care with your permission.
Example: With your written consent, we may consult with your physician or psychiatrist to coordinate care.

> Our practice policy for extra confidentiality: Except for emergencies or when required by law, we generally seek your written authorization before contacting providers outside our practice, even when HIPAA might permit a treatment disclosure.

2) For payment (private-pay practice)

We may use and disclose limited information to obtain payment from you and to administer payment-related activities.
Examples: Sending invoices/receipts, processing card payments, using a bookkeeping system, or using a collection service if an account becomes seriously past due.

We do not submit claims to insurance and do not disclose to insurers for payment unless you request it and sign an authorization.

3) For health care operations

We may use information to run our practice and improve quality and safety.
Examples: Scheduling, supervision/consultation (with minimal necessary information), audits, legal compliance, and business planning.

4) Appointment reminders and service-related communications

We may contact you to remind you about appointments or provide information about scheduling, office policies, or therapy-related services.

V. USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR INFORMATION IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES – We are allowed or required to share information in other ways that contribute to the public good or comply with legal obligations—but only when the law’s conditions are met. 

Examples include:

  • To comply with the law
    We will disclose information if required by state or federal law, including to HHS if it investigates our compliance with HIPAA—and we may limit disclosures, object, or seek protective conditions when appropriate, consistent with HIPAA and applicable privilege/confidentiality rules.

  • To help with public health and safety issues
    Such as reporting certain injuries or threats when required/authorized by law.

  • To report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
    Therapists are mandated reporters for suspected child abuse, and for abuse/neglect/exploitation of elders or disabled adults. Georgia’s child abuse reporting law is O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5, and Georgia adult protective services reporting is addressed in O.C.G.A. § 30-5-4. 

  • To prevent or reduce a serious and imminent threat
    We may disclose information to help prevent a serious and imminent threat to health or safety, consistent with law and professional ethics.

  • For health oversight activities
    Such as audits or inspections by government agencies authorized by law.

  • In response to lawsuits or legal actions
    We may disclose information in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process—and we may limit disclosures, object, or seek protective conditions when appropriate, consistent with HIPAA and applicable privilege/confidentiality rules.

  • Workers’ compensation and certain government functions
    Where permitted/required by law.

VI. Other Uses and Disclosures Require Your Prior Written Authorization:   Therapy communications are often protected by Georgia psychotherapist-patient privilege. Georgia law recognizes privileged communications between patients and certain mental health professionals. 

Even so, there are exceptions where disclosure may be required or permitted (for example, certain mandatory reporting situations or a valid court order).

Psychotherapy notes

“Psychotherapy notes” are a special, narrowly defined category under HIPAA. Most disclosures of psychotherapy notes require your written authorization, except in limited circumstances (for example, use by the originator for treatment, or as otherwise permitted by law). 

Substance use disorder records (42 CFR Part 2) — if applicable

To the extent that we have your substance use disorder patient records that are subject to 42 CFR Part 2, we will not use or disclose that information for investigations or legal proceedings against you without (1) your written consent or (2) a court order and a subpoena.

VII. HEAL ATL COUNSELING & WELLNESS’ RESPONSIBILITIES:  We are required by law to:

  • Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information

  • Provide you this Notice and follow its terms while it is in effect

  • Notify you following a breach of unsecured protected health information 

We will not use or share your information in ways not described in this Notice unless you authorize us in writing. You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time (with certain legal limitations).

VIII. CONTACT: If you have questions, want to exercise a right, or want more information, contact:

Brittany Hewitt, Executive Director
833-HEAL-ATL ext. 1 • brittany@healatl.com
Mail: 1117 Perimeter Ctr W, Suite N102, Atlanta, GA 30338