NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

 

Eleni Paris, LMFT, LLC
41334 North Hwy 19 #1052
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
therapy@eleniparislmft.com
813-609-0438

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THIS NOTICE PERTAINS TO THE PRIVACY PRACTICES OF
ELENI PARIS, LMFT, LLC, #MT 3882

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THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC AND MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

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This notice describes your rights under federal HIPAA regulations. You may be protected under additional federal and state laws.

Effective Date: March 20, 2026

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NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

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I. MY PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION:

I understand that health information about you and your health care is personal. I am committed to protecting health information about you.

I create a record of the care and services you receive from me. I need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by this mental health care practice.

This notice will tell you about the ways in which I may use and disclose health information about you. I also describe your rights to the health information I keep about you and certain obligations I have regarding the use and disclosure of your health information.

I am required by law to:

• Make sure that protected health information (“PHI”) that identifies you is kept private

• Give you this notice of my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to health information

• Follow the terms of the notice that is currently in effect

I may change the terms of this Notice, and such changes will apply to all information I have about you. The new Notice will be available upon request, in my office, or provided to you.

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II. HOW I MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU:

The following categories describe different ways that I use and disclose health information. For each category, I will explain what I mean and give some examples. Not every use or disclosure will be listed; however, all of the ways I am permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.

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For Treatment, Payment, or Health Care Operations:

​Federal privacy regulations allow health care providers with a direct treatment relationship to use or disclose PHI without written authorization for treatment, payment, or health care operations.

I may also disclose your protected health information for the treatment activities of another health care provider. This can be done without your written authorization.

For example, if I consult with another licensed provider about your condition, I may share relevant information to assist in diagnosis and treatment. Whenever possible, I will make reasonable efforts to protect your identity. If consultation requires sharing identifiable information, I will obtain your written authorization unless otherwise permitted by law.

Disclosures for treatment purposes are not limited to the minimum necessary standard, as providers may require full information to provide quality care.

The term “treatment” includes coordination and management of care, consultation between providers, and referrals from one provider to another.

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Lawsuits and Disputes:

If you are involved in a lawsuit, I may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order. I may also disclose health information in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process, provided appropriate legal safeguards are in place.

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III. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION:

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Psychotherapy Notes

“Psychotherapy notes” have a very limited definition under HIPAA rules and refer to notes documenting or analyzing the contents of conversations during private, group, joint, or family counseling sessions.

I may choose to keep psychotherapy notes as part of my therapy practice if it is helpful to your overall treatment. Your diagnosis, symptoms, complaints, treatment plans, and progress are documented in your progress notes, which are part of your official clinical record.

You may revoke any authorization (regarding PHI or psychotherapy notes) at any time, provided the revocation is made in writing. You may not revoke an authorization to the extent that:

1. I have already relied on that authorization; or

2. The authorization was obtained as a condition of obtaining insurance coverage, and the law provides the insurer the right to contest the claim.

Any use or disclosure of psychotherapy notes requires your authorization, except in the following circumstances:

a. For my use in treating you

b. For my use in training or supervising mental health practitioners to help them improve their skills

c. For my use in defending myself in legal proceedings initiated by you

d. For use by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate my compliance with HIPAA

e. When required by law, and the use or disclosure is limited to that requirement

f. For certain health oversight activities

g. To a coroner or medical examiner performing duties authorized by law

h. To prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health and safety of a person or the public

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Marketing Purposes

As a psychotherapist, I will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes without your written authorization.

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Sale of PHI

As a psychotherapist, I will not sell your PHI in the regular course of my business.

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IV. CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS (42 CFR PART 2)

If your treatment includes substance use disorder (SUD) services, records related to that care are protected under federal law (42 CFR Part 2).

I may not disclose information identifying you as having or receiving substance use disorder treatment without your specific written consent.

Recipients of such information may not re-disclose it without your permission.

Exceptions may include:

• Medical emergencies

• Certain court orders

• Research or audit activities

• Mandatory reporting requirements

If applicable, you will be provided with additional consent forms.

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V. USES AND DISCLOSURES WITH NEITHER CONSENT NOR AUTHORIZATION

I may use or disclose PHI without your consent or authorization in the following circumstances:

• Child Abuse: Required reporting to Florida Department of Children and Families

• Adult and Domestic Abuse: Required reporting to appropriate hotline

• Health Oversight: Disclosure to Florida Department of Health

• Judicial or Administrative Proceedings: As permitted or required by law

• Serious Threat to Health or Safety: To prevent harm to yourself or others

• Worker’s Compensation: As required by law

• Law Enforcement: As required by federal, state, or local law

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Business Associates

I may share your PHI with Business Associates (such as billing services, answering services, or IT providers). These parties are required by law to protect your information and comply with HIPAA regulations.

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Communication

Unless you notify me otherwise, I may contact you via phone, voicemail, email, or secure messaging regarding scheduling, billing, or care-related matters.

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Research

Your PHI may be used for research purposes only if identifying information is removed or with appropriate authorization.

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VI. BREACH NOTIFICATION

If a breach of your unsecured protected health information occurs, I will notify you as required by law.

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VII. ELECTRONIC RECORDS AND COMMUNICATION

Your PHI may be stored and transmitted electronically. Reasonable safeguards are used; however, no system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

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VIII. YOUR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR PHI:

You have the right to:

• Request restrictions on uses and disclosures

• Request confidential communication

• Access and receive copies of your records (excluding psychotherapy notes)

• Request amendments

• Receive an accounting of disclosures

• Request a copy of this notice

Records will be provided within 30 days of your written request.

In most cases, there is no fee for this service. If a fee does apply, it will be reasonable and cost-based in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

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IX. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR COUPLES OR FAMILY THERAPY

When therapy involves more than one participant, information shared may be accessible to all participants unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

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X. PSYCHOTHERAPISTS’ DUTIES:

I am required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI and to provide you with this notice.

If I revise my policies:

• Active clients will be notified

• Returning clients will be informed at their next visit

You may request a copy of this notice at any time.

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Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), you have certain rights regarding the use and disclosure of your protected health information. If you have any questions about this Notice of Privacy Practices, you may contact Eleni Paris, LMFT, LLC using the information listed above.