You have the right to:

• Access Your Records – You can request to see or receive a copy of your mental health and medical records.

• Request Corrections – If you believe information in your records is incorrect or incomplete, you can request an amendment.

• Confidential Communications – You may request that we contact you in a specific way (e.g., home phone, mail) or at a specific location.

• Restrict Certain Disclosures – You may ask us not to share certain health information. While we may not be required to agree, we will comply when legally permitted.

• Get a List of Disclosures – You can request a list of certain disclosures of your health information made in the past six years.

• Receive a Paper or Electronic Copy of This Notice – You can ask for a physical or digital copy of this privacy notice at any time.

We may use or share your PHI in the following ways:

• Treatment – To coordinate care and treatment among professionals involved in your care.

• Payment – To bill and collect payment for services you receive.

• Healthcare Operations – For internal administrative purposes, quality assessment, and staff training.

• Legal Requirements – When required by law (e.g., reporting abuse, court orders, public health activities).

• Emergencies – To prevent or lessen a serious and immediate threat to your health or safety or that of others.

• With Your Authorization – Any other sharing of your PHI will require your written permission, which you may revoke at any time.

In addition to federal protections under HIPAA, California law provides stronger privacy protections in several areas:

• Psychotherapy Notes – California law requires even stricter standards for the use and disclosure of psychotherapy notes.

• Substance Use Treatment Records – Your substance use treatment information is protected under federal regulations (42 CFR Part 2) and California law, requiring written consent for most disclosures.

• Minors and Consent – California permits minors (ages 12 and older) to consent to mental health treatment under certain circumstances and provides additional confidentiality protections.

• Mandatory Reporting – We are required by California law to report certain information, including threats of violence, suspected child or elder abuse, or if a client is gravely disabled.

We are required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy of your PHI

• Inform you of our legal duties and privacy practices

• Notify you if a breach of your unsecured health information occurs

• Abide by the terms of this notice

We may update this notice, and the new version will apply to all information we maintain. You can always request a copy of our current notice.

Your trust and confidentiality are of the utmost importance to us at Sama Healing. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of privacy and care.