Notice of Privacy Practices

Kevin Murphy, LICSW, CCTP
Liahona Counseling PLLC
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective Date: January 1, 2026

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 health information about you and your health care is personal. I am committed to protecting your health information. 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 records of your care generated by this mental health care practice.
This notice describes the ways in which I may use and disclose health information about you, your rights regarding the information I keep about you, and my legal duties with respect to 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 reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice. Any changes will apply to all PHI I maintain. The revised Notice will be available upon request and on my website.

II. How I May Use and Disclose Health Information About You

The following categories describe different ways that I use and disclose health information. Not every use or disclosure within a category is listed; however, all permitted uses and disclosures fall within one of these categories.

Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations

Federal privacy regulations allow health care providers who have a direct treatment relationship with a client to use or disclose PHI without written authorization for purposes of treatment, payment, or health care operations. I may also disclose PHI for the treatment activities of another health care provider.
For example, I may consult with another licensed health care provider regarding your care. Such disclosures for treatment purposes are not subject to the minimum necessary standard, as full access to information is often required to provide quality care.

Lawsuits and Disputes

If you are involved in a lawsuit or legal proceeding, I may disclose PHI in response to a court or administrative order. I may also disclose PHI in response to a subpoena or other lawful process if reasonable efforts have been made to notify you or to secure a protective order.

Ill. Certain Uses and Disclosures Require Your Authorization

1. Psychotherapy Notes

I do keep psychotherapy notes as defined by 45 CFR §164.501. Psychotherapy notes are a clinician’s separate, private notes that record or analyze the content of therapy sessions and are kept apart from the clinical treatment record, as defined and protected by federal law. They are distinct from progress notes. Disclosure of psychotherapy notes requires your written authorization unless the use or disclosure is:

  1. For my use in treating you.
  2. For my use in training or supervising mental health practitioners.
  3. For my use in defending myself in legal proceedings brought by you.
  4. For use by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate compliance with HIPAA.
  5. Required by law and limited to the requirements of that law.
  6. Required for certain health oversight activities.
  7. Required by a coroner or medical examiner performing authorized duties.
  8. Necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.

2. Marketing Purposes

I will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes.

3. Sale of PHI

I will not sell your PHI in the regular course of my business.

IV. Certain Uses and Disclosures Do Not Require Your Authorization

Subject to applicable law, I may use or disclose PHI without your authorization for the following purposes:

  • When required by federal or state law.
  • For public health and safety activities, including reporting abuse or neglect or preventing a serious threat to health or safety.
  • For health oversight activities such as audits or investigations.
  • For judicial or administrative proceedings pursuant to lawful orders.
  • For law enforcement purposes as permitted by law.
  • To coroners or medical examiners performing authorized duties.
  • For specialized government functions, including military and national security activities.
  • For workers’ compensation purposes as permitted by law.
  • For appointment reminders and to communicate about treatment alternatives or other health-related services I offer.

V. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Opportunity to Object

I may disclose PHI to a family member, friend, or other person involved in your care or payment for your care, unless you object. In emergency situations, consent may be obtained retroactively when appropriate.

VI. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have the following rights, subject to certain limitations:

  • Right to Request Restrictions: You may request limits on certain uses or disclosures of PHI. I am not required to agree to all requests.
  • Right to Restrict Disclosures to Health Plans: If you pay out-of-pocket in full for a service, you may request that related PHI not be disclosed to a health plan.
  • Right to Request Confidential Communications: You may request that I communicate with you in a specific manner or at a specific location. Reasonable requests will be honored.
  • Right to Access PHI: You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy of your PHI within 30 days of a written request. Records are typically provided electronically. Paper copies may be provided upon request when reasonably practicable, and a reasonable, cost-based fee may apply. Psychotherapy notes are excluded from this right except as required by law. Your records will be maintained for a minimum of seven years from the date of the last service, or longer if required by law. Upon termination of services, you may request copies of your records in accordance with state and federal law.
  • Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures made in the past six years. One request per year is provided at no charge; additional requests may incur a reasonable fee. You will be notified of any fees in advance.
  • Right to Amend PHI: You may request correction or amendment of your PHI. I may deny the request but will provide a written explanation within 60 days.
  • You have the right to receive a paper or electronic copy of this Notice upon request.

VII. Breach Notification

You have the right to be notified following a breach of unsecured PHI as required by law.

VIII. Complaints and Contact Information

If you have questions about this Notice or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact:
Privacy Officer: Kevin Murphy, LICSW, CCTP
Email: liahonacounseling@proton.me
Phone: (509) 289-4789
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Washington State Law Notice

If you are receiving services while physically located in Washington State, your mental health information may be protected by Washington laws that are more restrictive than federal privacy laws. In those cases, Washington law controls.

Disclosure of mental health records may be further limited by RCW 70.02 (Health Care Information Act) and RCW 71.05 (Behavioral Health and Involuntary Treatment Act). These laws may require your written authorization for certain disclosures that would otherwise be permitted under HIPAA, unless an exception applies under state law.
When required by Washington law, I will obtain your authorization before releasing mental health information, except in circumstances involving mandatory reporting, court orders, or serious threats to health or safety.