NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

Therapy With Julie Shilling
10210 Grogans Mill Road, Suite #355
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Phone: (346) 497-7413
Email: julie@therapywithjs.com

Effective Date: January 2, 2026

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.

I. INTRODUCTION

As a licensed mental health provider, I am required by law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (“PHI”), to provide you with notice of my legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI.

PHI is information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, the provision of health care to you, or payment for that care.

This Notice describes how PHI may be used and disclosed for treatment, payment, and health care operations, as well as for other purposes permitted or required by federal and Texas law. This Notice also describes your rights regarding your PHI.

I am required to follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect. I reserve the right to change this Notice and make the revised Notice effective for all PHI I maintain. Any revised Notice will be made available upon request and posted on the practice website.

II. MY RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING PHI

I am committed to protecting the privacy of your PHI. I use and disclose PHI only as permitted by applicable federal and Texas law and as described in this Notice. I maintain reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality and security of your PHI.

III. USES AND DISCLOSURES OF PHI WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION

For Treatment

I may use or disclose PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care. This includes consultation with other licensed health care providers, referrals, and coordination of care when clinically appropriate. In some circumstances, consultation may occur without identifying you by name or other identifying information.

For Payment

I may use or disclose PHI for billing, payment collection, eligibility verification, and other payment-related activities. If you elect to have a third party pay for your services, you will be asked to complete a separate written agreement.

For Health Care Operations

I may use or disclose PHI for health care operations, including practice administration, quality assurance, supervision, compliance activities, and business planning necessary to operate the practice.

Disclosures for treatment purposes are not limited to the minimum necessary standard, as access to complete information may be required to provide appropriate care.

IV. OTHER PERMITTED OR REQUIRED DISCLOSURES

I may use or disclose your PHI without your authorization as permitted or required by law, including the following circumstances:

Individuals Involved in Your Care

I may disclose relevant PHI to family members, partners, or others involved in your care or payment for care unless you object, or if you are unable to object and the disclosure is permitted by law.

Business Associates

I may disclose PHI to third-party service providers (“business associates”) that perform services on my behalf, such as electronic health record systems, billing services, secure communication platforms, or practice management software. Business associates are required by law to safeguard your PHI.

Mandatory Reporting

I may disclose PHI when required by law to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child, elderly person, or disabled individual.

Risk of Harm

I may disclose PHI when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your safety or the safety of another person or the public.

Legal Proceedings

I may disclose PHI in response to a valid court order, subpoena, or other lawful process as permitted by law.

Health Oversight Activities

I may disclose PHI to health oversight agencies, including licensing or regulatory bodies such as the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, for activities authorized by law such as audits, investigations, inspections, or licensure actions.

Workers’ Compensation

I may disclose PHI as permitted by Texas workers’ compensation laws.

Coroners and Medical Examiners

I may disclose PHI to coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors as permitted by law.

Disclosures under this section are limited to the minimum necessary information unless otherwise required by law.

V. USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING AUTHORIZATION

Psychotherapy Notes

Psychotherapy notes are kept separate from the medical record. I may use or disclose psychotherapy notes only as permitted by law or with your written authorization.

Marketing and Sale of PHI

I do not use PHI for marketing purposes and do not sell PHI.

Other Uses

Any other use or disclosure of PHI not described in this Notice will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent that action has already been taken in reliance on it.

VI. RECORD RETENTION

Records are retained in accordance with Texas law and professional standards:

  • Adult client records are retained for at least seven (7) years from the date of the last session.

  • Records for minor clients are retained for at least seven (7) years after the client reaches the age of 18.

After the required retention period, records may be securely destroyed.

VII. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

I may communicate with you electronically using secure systems, including a client portal, for administrative and treatment-related purposes at your request. While reasonable safeguards are used, electronic communication carries inherent privacy risks.

Expectations and boundaries regarding electronic communication, including email and text messaging, are addressed in a separate Communication Policy, which you will be asked to review.

VIII. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING PHI

You have the right to:

  • Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your PHI (not all requests must be granted).

  • Request restrictions on disclosures to a health insurer for services you have paid for in full out-of-pocket. I am required to honor this request as permitted by law.

  • Request confidential communications by alternative means or at alternative locations.

  • Inspect and obtain copies of your medical record (excluding psychotherapy notes). Reasonable, cost-based fees may apply.

  • Request amendments to your PHI.

  • Receive an accounting of disclosures as provided by law.

  • Obtain a paper or electronic copy of this Notice upon request.

  • Be notified following a breach of unsecured PHI.

Requests to exercise these rights must be submitted in writing to the Privacy Officer listed below.

IX. COMPLAINTS

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with this practice or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

You may also file a complaint with applicable Texas regulatory or consumer protection agencies, including:

Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
Attn: Enforcement Division
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 7.300
Austin, Texas 78701
Email: Enforcement@bhec.texas.gov
Website: https://bhec.texas.gov

Texas Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Website: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection

You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

To file a complaint with this practice, or to request information about privacy rights, records requests, or complaint procedures, you may contact the Privacy Officer listed below.

To file a complaint with this practice, you may file with me directly.

X. CONTACT INFORMATION

Therapy With Julie Shilling
Phone: (346) 497-7413
Email: julie@therapywithjs.com

XI. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Notice of Privacy Practices is effective as of January 2, 2026.