Notice of Privacy Practices

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.

Last Updated: April 2026

Side Quest Psychotherapy, LLC (herein referred to as “Side Quest Psychotherapy” or doing business as Side Quest Psychotherapy) is required by federal law (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, “HIPAA,” 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164) to maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI), provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.

This Notice applies to psychotherapy and diagnostic evaluation services, as well as other client records maintained by Side Quest Psychotherapy, including records associated with recovery coaching services.

1. Our Privacy Commitment

We are committed to protecting your health information. We understand that the information you share with us—whether in the context of psychotherapy, a diagnostic evaluation, or recovery coaching—is sensitive and personal. We follow all applicable federal and state laws protecting your privacy. Where state law provides greater protection than federal law, we follow the more protective standard. We apply the minimum necessary standard to all uses and disclosures of your health information. This means we use, disclose, and request only the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish the purpose for which it is being used or disclosed. We work with Business Associates—third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as our electronic health record system, payment processor, and secure communication platforms. These entities are contractually required to protect your information in accordance with HIPAA.

2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

The following describes how we may use and disclose your protected health information without your written authorization.

2.1 Treatment
We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your care. This may include communication with other healthcare providers involved in your care—such as your primary care physician, psychiatrist, dietitian, or other treatment team members—when you have authorized us to do so via a signed Release of Information, or when otherwise permitted by law.

2.2 Payment
We may use your health information to obtain payment for services. Because this practice is self-pay and does not bill insurance directly, this may include:

  • processing payment

  • generating invoices

  • issuing superbills upon request

  • maintaining billing records

2.3 Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your health information for internal operations necessary to run the practice, including:

  • quality improvement

  • consultation and supervision

  • legal and compliance activities

  • staff training

  • practice management

2.4 Required or Permitted by Law
We may disclose your health information when required or permitted by law, including:

  • Imminent risk of serious harm

  • Mandated reporting of child abuse or neglect

  • Mandated reporting of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults

  • Court orders, subpoenas, or other legal process

  • Health oversight activities

  • Workers’ compensation

  • Public health reporting

  • Law enforcement requests as specifically permitted by law

2.5 Professional Consultation and Supervision
We may share de-identified clinical information with professional consultants, supervisors, or legal/compliance advisors for the purpose of improving quality of care and maintaining professional standards.

Any use of information that could reasonably identify you requires your written authorization unless otherwise permitted by law.

3. Uses and Disclosures That Require Your Written Information

We will not use or disclose your health information for the following purposes without your specific written authorization:

  • Psychotherapy Notes (if maintained separately): As defined by HIPAA, psychotherapy notes receive heightened protection and generally require written authorization for disclosure except as permitted by law. Standard progress notes, treatment plans, diagnoses, and session documentation in your chart are not considered psychotherapy notes under this definition.
  • Marketing
  • Sale of health information
  • Fundraising
  • Most other disclosures not otherwise described in this Notice

You may revoke any authorization at any time by submitting a written revocation. Revocation does not apply to actions already taken in reliance on that authorization.

4. Special Protections

4.1 Mental Health Information
Mental health records may receive heightened protection under state law beyond standard HIPAA protections. We follow the most protective standard applicable to the state in which services are provided.

4.2 Minor Clients
Privacy protections for minors vary by state. When a minor has the legal right to consent to their own treatment, that minor generally controls the privacy of their records to the extent provided by law.

4.3 Deceased Individuals
HIPAA privacy protections extend to the health information of deceased individuals for 50 years following the date of death.

5. Your Rights

5.1 Right to Access Your Records
You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of your records, subject to limited exceptions defined by law. Requests will generally be fulfilled within 30 days.

5.2 Right to Request Corrections
If you believe information in your record is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request a correction.

5.3 Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures made for purposes other than treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or disclosures you authorized.

5.4 Right to Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your information. We are not required to agree to all requested restrictions, but if we do agree, we will honor them.

5.5 Right to Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you by a specific method or at a specific location.

5.6 Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time.

5.7 Right to Be Notified of a Breach
You have the right to be notified if there is a breach of your unsecured protected health information in accordance with HIPAA’s Breach Notification Rule.

5.8 Right to a Copy of Your Electronic Health Information
If your health information is maintained electronically, you may request an accessible electronic copy.

6. Our Obligations

We are required by law to:

  • maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information
  • provide you with this Notice
  • follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect
  • notify you in the event of a breach without unreasonable delay and no later than 60 days
  • refrain from retaliating against you for exercising your rights

We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and make the revised Notice effective for all protected health information we maintain.

7. How to File a Complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint. Filing a complaint will not affect your access to services.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll-free: 1-800-368-1019
TDD: 1-800-537-7697
https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/