Achieving Wellness Together (AWT) Counseling is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you visit our website or contact our practice.

Please note: This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through this website. It does not replace the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices provided to clients receiving therapy services.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect and use information when you visit our website. When you submit a contact form or reach out to us, you may provide information such as your name, email address, phone number, or any message you choose to share. We may also receive basic website analytics, such as the pages visited, general location, or browser type. This information helps us respond to inquiries and improve the website, and we do not sell or share your information with third parties.

If you become a therapy client, please note that your personal health information is protected under HIPAA. No clinical or health-related information is stored or processed through this website, and therapy clients will receive a separate Notice of Privacy Practices that outlines their HIPAA rights and protections. Our website may use basic cookies or analytics tools to help us understand how visitors engage with the site; you can disable cookies through your browser settings at any time.

Our website may contain links to external sites, and we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. You may contact us at any time if you want to update or request deletion of information you previously provided, or if you wish to be removed from future communication. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please reach out to us at agnes@awtwellness.com

Achieving Wellness Together (AWT) Counseling

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

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

I. MY PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION:

I understand that your health information is personal, and I am committed to protecting it with care. I keep a record of the services we do together so I can provide thoughtful, consistent care and meet legal requirements. This applies to all records within my practice.

This notice outlines how your information may be used or shared, as well as your rights in relation to your records. It also reflects my responsibility to handle your information in a way that is both ethical and in line with the law. I am required 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 can 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, and on my website www.awtcounseling.com

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

There are a few ways I may use or share your health information as part of providing care.

For treatment, payment, and health care operations, I may use or disclose your information without additional written permission, as allowed by law. This can include coordinating care, consulting with other licensed professionals, or handling billing. When it comes to treatment, providers may need access to more complete information in order to offer quality care.

In certain legal situations, such as a court order or subpoena, I may be required to release information. When possible, I aim to ensure you are informed or that appropriate protections are in place.

If you ever have questions about how your information is used or shared, I’m always open to talking it through.

III. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION:

There are certain situations where I would need your written permission before using or sharing your information.

Psychotherapy Notes. I do keep “psychotherapy notes” as that term is defined in 45 CFR § 164.501, and any use or disclosure of such notes requires your Authorization unless the use or disclosure is:
a. For my use in treating you.
b. For my use in training or supervising mental health practitioners to help them improve their skills in group, joint, family, or individual counseling or therapy.
c. For my use in defending myself in legal proceedings instituted by you.
d. For use by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate my compliance with HIPAA.
e. Required by law and the use or disclosure is limited to the requirements of such law.
f. Required by law for certain health oversight activities pertaining to the originator of the psychotherapy notes.
g. Required by a coroner who is performing duties authorized by law.
h. Required to help avert a serious threat to the health and safety of others.
Marketing Purposes. As a psychotherapist, I will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes.
Sale of PHI. As a psychotherapist, I will not sell your PHI in the regular course of my business.

IV. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION.

There are some situations where I may need to use or share your information without your written permission, as required or allowed by law. These include:

When disclosure is required by state or federal law
For safety reasons, such as reporting abuse or preventing serious harm
For health oversight (like audits or investigations)
In response to a court order or legal process
For certain law enforcement purposes
For workers’ compensation claims
For appointment reminders or to share relevant services or treatment options

Whenever possible, I aim to be transparent and, when appropriate, involve you in these conversations.

V. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT.

With your permission, I may share relevant information with a family member, friend, or another person involved in your care or payment for services. You have the right to decide what is or isn’t shared.

In emergency situations, if it’s not possible to get your consent in advance, I may use my clinical judgment to share only what feels necessary to support your safety and care.

VI. YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR PHI:
You have rights when it comes to your health information, and I want you to feel informed and supported in that.

You can ask me to limit how your information is used or shared. I will always consider your request, though there may be times I’m not able to agree if it impacts your care.
If you pay for services out-of-pocket in full, you can request that this information not be shared with your insurance.
You can ask me to contact you in a specific way or at a specific location, and I will do my best to honor reasonable requests.
You have the right to request a copy of your records (excluding psychotherapy notes). These can be provided within a reasonable timeframe and may include a small fee.
You can request a list of certain disclosures of your information.
If something in your record feels inaccurate or incomplete, you can request an update or correction.
You can request a copy of this notice at any time, either electronically or in print.

If you have questions about any of these, I’m always open to talking them through with you.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS NOTICE

This notice went into effect on 02/26/2026