HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
THIS NOTICE APPLIES TO THERAPY CLIENTS OF CHRISTINE ARCHER / RESTWARD: A MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION (DOING BUSINESS AS CHRONIC PAIN INTENSIVES; CHRONIC PAIN THERAPY INTENSIVES). YOU MAY DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS NOTICE HERE.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS NOTICE: This notice went into effect on October 21, 2025
This notice describes how health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
1. OUR DUTIES
Your health information is personal, and I am committed to protecting it. I maintain a record of the care and services you receive to provide quality care and meet legal requirements. This notice applies to all records created by Christine Archer / Restward: A Marriage and Family Therapy Professional Corporation (doing business as Chronic Pain Therapy Intensives; Chronic Pain Intensives) and explains how your health information may be used or disclosed. It also outlines your rights and my responsibilities regarding your information.
We are required by law to:
Maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI).
Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your PHI.
Abide by the terms of this Notice currently in effect.
Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction.
Accommodate reasonable requests to communicate PHI by alternative means or at alternative locations.
2. HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION
The following categories describe different ways that I use and disclose health information. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways I am permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.
Treatment, Payment or Healthcare Operations
Federal privacy regulations allow health care providers with a direct treatment relationship to use or disclose your protected health information without written authorization for purposes of treatment, payment, or health care operations. I may also disclose your information for the treatment activities of other health care providers—again, without requiring your written authorization.
For example, if I consult with another licensed provider about your condition, I may share your health information to support accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Such disclosures are not limited by the “minimum necessary” standard, as providers may need full access to your records to ensure quality care.
“Treatment” includes coordination and management of care with third parties, consultations between providers, and referrals from one provider to another.
Harm Prevention
We may disclose information to prevent or reduce a serious threat to the health or safety of yourself or others.
Required by Law
We may disclose information when required to do so by federal, state, or local law. If you are involved in a legal proceeding, I may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order. I may also disclose information about your child in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process—but only if reasonable efforts have been made to notify you or to obtain a protective order for the requested information.
Other Uses
Other uses and disclosures will be made only with your written authorization, unless otherwise permitted or required by law. You may revoke such authorizations at any time in writing.
3. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
Psychotherapy Notes
I maintain “psychotherapy notes” as defined in 45 CFR §164.501. These notes receive special protection under HIPAA, and I may not use or disclose them without your written authorization, except in the following situations:
a. For my own use in treating you
b. For training or supervision of mental health practitioners to improve their skills in individual, group, joint, or family therapy
c. For use in legal proceedings brought by you against me
d. For compliance investigations conducted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
e. When required by law, limited to the extent of the legal requirement
f. For certain health oversight activities related to the originator of the notes, when required by law
g. When required by a coroner acting within their legal authority
h. To help prevent or reduce a serious threat to the health or safety of others
Marketing Purposes
I will not use or disclose your protected health information (PHI) for marketing purposes without your written authorization.
Sale of PHI
I do not sell your PHI in the regular course of my business and will not do so without your written authorization.
4. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION
Subject to legal limitations, I may use or disclose your protected health information (PHI) without your authorization for the following purposes:
When required by state or federal law, and the disclosure complies with and is limited to those legal requirements.
For public health activities, including reporting suspected child, elder, or dependent adult abuse, or to prevent or reduce a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety.
For health oversight activities, such as audits and investigations.
For judicial and administrative proceedings, including in response to a court or administrative order—though I prefer to obtain your authorization beforehand when possible.
For law enforcement purposes, including reporting crimes occurring on my premises.
To coroners or medical examiners performing duties authorized by law.
For research purposes, including studies comparing different forms of therapy for similar conditions.
For specialized government functions, such as military missions, protection of the President, intelligence or counterintelligence operations, and ensuring safety within correctional institutions.
For workers’ compensation purposes; while I prefer to obtain your authorization, I may disclose PHI as required by workers’ compensation laws.
To send appointment reminders or to inform you about treatment alternatives, health-related benefits, or services I offer.
5. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
Disclosures to Family, Friends, or Others:
I may share your protected health information (PHI) with a family member, friend, or other person you designate as involved in your care or payment for your health care, unless you object—either fully or partially. In emergency situations, consent may be obtained retroactively.
6. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)
Right to Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures:
You may ask me to restrict how I use or disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations. While I am not required to agree, I will consider your request and may refuse if it could affect your care.Right to Request Restrictions for Fully Paid Out-of-Pocket Services:
You have the right to request that I restrict disclosures of PHI to health plans for services or items you have paid for in full out-of-pocket.Right to Choose How I Contact You:
You can request that I communicate with you by a specific method (e.g., phone, mail) or to a different address. I will accommodate all reasonable requests.Right to Access and Obtain Copies of Your PHI:
Except for psychotherapy notes, you may request electronic or paper copies of your medical records or a summary. I will respond within 30 days of your written request and may charge a reasonable fee for copies.Right to Receive a List of Disclosures:
You may request an accounting of disclosures of your PHI made for purposes other than treatment, payment, health care operations, or authorized by you. I will respond within 60 days, covering the past six years (or a shorter period if you request). The first list is free; subsequent requests within the same year may incur a reasonable fee.Right to Correct or Update Your PHI:
If you believe your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you may request corrections or additions. I may deny the request but will provide a written explanation within 60 days.Right to Receive a Paper or Electronic Copy of this Notice:
You have the right to a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.
7. CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We reserve the right to change this Notice and make the revised Notice effective for all health information we maintain. We will post any changes on our website and provide a copy upon request.
8. COMPLAINTS
We reserve the right to change this Notice and make the revised Notice effective for all health information we maintain. We will post any changes on our website and provide a copy upon request.
Christine Archer
Restward: A Marriage and Family Therapy Professional Corporation
(dba Chronic Pain Therapy Intensives)
Email: christine@chronicpainintensives.com
Phone: 310-896-8624
OR
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Phone: 1-800-368-1019
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr
OR
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
For California therapy clients
Website: www.bbs.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 574-7830
OR
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
Division of Professions and Occupations
For Colorado Therapy Clients
Website: https://dora.colorado.gov/
Phone: (303) 894-7800
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.