COUNSELING FOR CREATIVE PEOPLE
HIPAA NOTICE
Counseling for Creative People
Michael G. Bauer, LMFT #102229
Effective Date: 11/12/2026Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.
This notice describes how your protected health information may be used and disclosed, how you can obtain access to your information, and the responsibilities of Counseling for Creative People in maintaining the privacy of your records.
Please review this notice carefully.
1. Your Rights
Under applicable federal and California laws, you have certain rights concerning your health information.
Access Your Records
You have the right to request access to, or receive an electronic or paper copy of, health information maintained in your designated record set, subject to applicable legal limitations. We generally respond to requests within 30 days or within a shorter period when required by California law. A reasonable, legally permitted fee may apply.
Request Corrections
You may request an amendment to health information you believe is incorrect or incomplete. If a request is denied, we will explain the reason in writing and provide information about your additional rights.
Request Confidential Communications
You may request that we communicate with you through a particular method or at a particular address. We will accommodate reasonable requests as required by applicable law.
Request Restrictions
You may request limits on how your health information is used or disclosed for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not always required to agree to these requests. However, if you pay in full out of pocket for a healthcare service, you may request that information about that service not be disclosed to your health plan for payment or healthcare operations. We must generally honor that request unless disclosure is required by law.
Request an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request an accounting of certain disclosures of your protected health information made during the preceding six years. Some disclosures, including many for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, are excluded. One accounting within a 12-month period is generally provided without charge. Additional accountings may be subject to a reasonable fee.
Obtain a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.
Designate a Personal Representative
A person legally authorized to act on your behalf may exercise certain privacy rights for you, subject to applicable law.
File a Privacy Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact the practice using the information provided above. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights:
www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint
You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
2. How Your Information May Be Used or Disclosed
Counseling for Creative People may use or disclose protected health information as permitted or required by law.
Treatment
Information may be used to provide psychotherapy and coordinate treatment with other healthcare professionals when legally permitted.
Payment
Information may be used or disclosed to obtain payment for services, including submitting insurance claims, processing payments, and addressing billing matters.
Healthcare Operations
Information may be used for activities necessary to operate the practice, including quality improvement, administration, compliance, and maintaining professional services.
Legal and Safety-Related Disclosures
Applicable laws may permit or require disclosure of certain information in limited circumstances, including:
Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
Reporting suspected abuse or neglect of older adults or dependent adults.
Responding to serious threats to health or safety when disclosure is legally permitted or required.
Complying with legally valid court orders or other applicable legal processes.
Participating in legally authorized health oversight activities.
Meeting other mandatory reporting or legal obligations.
Information may also be disclosed in other circumstances permitted by law, including certain public health activities, workers' compensation matters, and disclosures to coroners or medical examiners. Disclosures are subject to applicable federal and California confidentiality requirements. A subpoena does not necessarily authorize disclosure of psychotherapy information without additional legal conditions being satisfied.
3. Your Choices and Written Authorization
You may express preferences about certain disclosures to family members, friends, or other individuals involved in your care. We will consider and honor those preferences to the extent required by law.
Your written authorization is generally required for:
Uses or disclosures of psychotherapy notes as specifically defined under HIPAA, except for limited legally permitted circumstances.
Marketing uses or disclosures requiring authorization under HIPAA.
The sale of protected health information.
Other uses or disclosures for which authorization is required by applicable law.
You may revoke an authorization in writing, except to the extent that action has already been taken in reliance on it.
4. Special Protections for Mental Health Information
Psychotherapy information receives confidentiality protections under HIPAA, California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, and other applicable California laws. California law may impose stricter limits on the disclosure of mental health records than federal law. We follow the law that provides the applicable greater protection. Psychotherapy notes, as specifically defined by HIPAA, are distinct from ordinary clinical progress notes and receive additional protections.
5. Substance Use Disorder Records
Certain substance use disorder treatment records are subject to additional federal confidentiality protections under 42 CFR Part 2. To the extent Counseling for Creative People receives or maintains records protected by Part 2, we will apply the additional confidentiality requirements governing those records. Part 2 records generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigations or proceedings against you without your written consent or an appropriate court order accompanied by a subpoena or similar legal mandate, as required by law.
Where permitted by valid consent and applicable regulations, Part 2 records may be used or disclosed for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. Subsequent disclosures by HIPAA-covered recipients may be governed by HIPAA, subject to Part 2's continuing restrictions concerning proceedings against patients and other applicable requirements.
If Part 2 records are proposed to be used for fundraising, you will receive the legally required advance notice and an opportunity to decline such communications.
6. Telehealth and Electronic Information
Counseling for Creative People provides psychotherapy through telehealth. Protected health information may be created, transmitted, or maintained electronically in connection with clinical services. We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to applicable privacy and security requirements. Electronic communications and telehealth services carry some inherent privacy and security risks, which are addressed through practice procedures and informed consent.
7. Our Responsibilities
Counseling for Creative People is required to:
Maintain the privacy and security of protected health information.
Follow applicable federal and California confidentiality laws.
Provide individuals with information about privacy practices and their rights.
Notify affected individuals of breaches when required by law.
Follow the terms of the Notice of Privacy Practices currently in effect.
We will not use or disclose protected health information in ways that require your authorization unless you provide that authorization or an applicable legal exception permits or requires the use or disclosure.
8. Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to revise this Notice of Privacy Practices as permitted by law. Revised terms may apply to protected health information maintained by the practice. The current notice will be available through the practice and on our website at:
www.counselingforcreativepeople.com
9. Questions or Complaints
For questions about this notice, requests concerning your privacy rights, or complaints about privacy practices, contact:
Michael G. Bauer, LMFT #102229
Counseling for Creative People
Phone: (848) 228-3701
Email: michael@counselingforcreativepeople.com
You may also contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.
Last Updated: 11/12/2026