Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)

Effective and Updated Date: October 28, 2025

This notice describes how medical and mental health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.

Please review it carefully.

1. Your Protected Health Information (PHI)

When you begin therapy with Kyle Duni, LCSW, you share personal health information. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), this information is legally protected.

Your “PHI” includes any information about your health, treatment, or payment for services that can identify you.

2. How Your Information May Be Used or Disclosed

Your PHI may be used or disclosed in the following ways:

For Treatment – To provide, coordinate, or manage your care and related services.

For Payment – To obtain payment for your services (e.g., billing, insurance claims, or verifying benefits).

For Health Care Operations – For quality assessment, training, licensing, or administrative purposes.

Other uses or disclosures require your written authorization, including:

  • Psychotherapy notes (except in limited cases)

  • Marketing or fundraising communications

  • Any release not covered under HIPAA exceptions

You may revoke an authorization at any time in writing.

3. Uses and Disclosures Without Your Authorization

Certain circumstances allow or require disclosure without your consent, such as:

  • When required by law or court order

  • To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation

  • To prevent or lessen a serious threat to your health or safety or that of others

  • To comply with public health or law enforcement requirements

  • For national security or government requests (rare)

4. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have the right to:

  • Access your records and request copies

  • Request amendments to information you believe is inaccurate

  • Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures

  • Request confidential communications (e.g., phone, mail, email preferences)

  • Receive an accounting of certain disclosures

  • Receive a paper or electronic copy of this notice

Requests must be made in writing to the contact listed below.

5. Our Responsibilities

We are legally required to:

  • Maintain the privacy and security of your PHI

  • Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices

  • Notify you if a breach of unsecured PHI occurs

  • Follow the terms of this notice and not use or share your PHI other than as described here

6. Changes to This Notice

We may update this notice at any time. The most current version will always be available on our website and through SimplePractice. Any significant changes will apply to both existing and future clients.

7. Questions or Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with:

Kyle Duni, LCSW

📧 kyledunilcsw@gmail.com

📞 828.434.6562

or directly with:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office for Civil Rights

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20201

Website: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/

You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

8. Acknowledgment of Receipt

You will be asked to acknowledge receipt of this Notice when you begin therapy through SimplePractice. You may request another copy at any time.