Notice of Privacy Practices

This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how Compassionate Courage PLLC ("the Practice," "I," "me," or "my") may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment, and health care operations, and for other purposes permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights regarding your health information. I am required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information, to provide you with this Notice of my legal duties and privacy practices, and to abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect.

In the course of providing services, I may collect the following types of information: • Identifying information: name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address. • Health and clinical information: mental health history, presenting concerns, diagnoses, treatment notes, and progress records. • Insurance and billing information: insurance provider, member ID, and payment records. • Emergency contact information. • Communications: messages sent through my contact form, email, or phone. I collect only what is necessary to provide you with appropriate care.

I collect information directly from you through: • Intake forms and paperwork completed before or during your first appointment. • Information you share during sessions. • Communications you initiate via phone, email, or the contact form on this website. • Insurance verification processes. This website does not collect personal health information. Any contact form submissions are used solely to respond to your inquiry.

Your protected health information may be used for the following purposes: Treatment: I may use your PHI to provide, coordinate, and manage your treatment and related services, including consultations with other providers involved in your care. Payment: I may use your PHI to obtain payment for services provided to you, including submitting claims to insurance companies and processing payments. Health Care Operations: I may use your PHI for quality assessment, supervision, and other internal activities that support the operation of this practice. Other Permitted Uses: I may use or disclose your PHI when required by law, in response to a court order or subpoena, to report certain communicable diseases, in cases of suspected abuse or neglect, when there is a serious and imminent threat to health or safety, or for workers' compensation purposes.

I do not sell your information to third parties. I do not share your protected health information with marketing companies or advertisers. I may share your information only in the following circumstances: • With your written authorization for any use or disclosure not described in this Notice. • With other healthcare providers directly involved in your treatment, with your consent. • With your insurance company, to the extent required to process claims. • As required by law (see How We Use Your Information above). You may revoke any written authorization you have given at any time, in writing.

I retain your health records in accordance with applicable state and federal law. In Michigan, psychotherapy records are generally retained for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date of the last service, or seven years after a minor patient reaches age 18, whichever is later. Records are securely stored using HIPAA-compliant electronic health record systems.

This website may use cookies and similar technologies to support basic functionality such as navigation and form submission. No cookies are used to track your behavior across other websites or to collect personal health information. You may adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, although this may affect certain features of the website.

If you interact with this practice through social media platforms, please be aware that those platforms have their own privacy policies and data practices. I encourage you to review them. I will not ask you to share personal health information through social media channels, and I recommend that you refrain from doing so.

You have the following rights regarding your health information: Right to Access: You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of your medical record. Requests should be made in writing. I may charge a reasonable fee for copies. Right to Amend: You have the right to request an amendment to your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request a list of disclosures I have made of your PHI (other than for treatment, payment, operations, or with your authorization). Right to Restrict: You have the right to request restrictions on how I use or disclose your PHI. I am not required to agree to all requested restrictions, but I will consider your request in good faith. Right to Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that I communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location. Right to Revoke Authorization: You may revoke a written authorization you have provided at any time by submitting a written request. Right to a Paper Copy of this Notice: You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

I do not provide therapy services to minors at this time. If you are under the age of 18, please consult with your parent or guardian to identify an appropriate provider.

This practice is based in the United States. If you are contacting me from outside the United States, please be aware that information you submit may be transferred to, processed, and stored in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your country.

I reserve the right to update this Notice at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting to this website. The effective date at the bottom of this page reflects the most recent revision. I encourage you to review this page periodically.

If you have questions about this Notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact me directly: Constance Victor, Psy.D. Compassionate Courage PLLC 29777 Telegraph Rd, Suite 2410 Southfield, MI 48034 drcvictor@compassionatecouragepllc.com (248) 905-3203 You also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. I will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.