HIPAA Policies and Procedures

At Healing Moments Counseling, we take HIPAA compliance seriously to ensure that all Protected Health Information remains secure and protected within the practice.

Password Changing

HIPAA requires changing passwords every 3 months (90 days) for forward programs that contain Protected Health Information. Healing Moments Counseling prioritizes changing these passwords every 3 months to keep health information secure and protected.

Using HIPAA Compliant Programs

Healing Moments Counseling uses software programs that are HIPAA Compliant, including JotForms, TherapyNotes, and Zoom in order to keep your information secure and protected and maintain confidentiality.

HIPAA Compliance Testing

All therapists and administrators at Healing Moments Counseling are certified HIPAA Complaint. All therapists and administrators understand the importance and process of protecting health information and maintaining privacy and confidentiality.

Emailing

Emailing is NOT a confidential way to communicate with your therapist or the admin. We cannot guarantee that your information will remain protected if you communicate with us through email. Email should only be used to discuss scheduling.

Texting

Texting is NOT a confidential way to communicate with your therapist or the admin. We cannot guarantee that your information will remain protected if you communicate with us through texting. Text should only be used to discuss scheduling.

Calling

Calling is NOT a confidential way to communicate with your therapist or the admin. We cannot guarantee that your information will remain protected if you communicate with us through phone. Calling should only be used to discuss scheduling.

Friending

We do accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). Adding clients as friends on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our therapeutic relationship.

Following

We will not follow any client on Twitter, Instagram, blogs, or other apps/website. If there is content you wish to share from your online life, please bring it into our sessions where we can explore it together.

Search Engine

It is not a regular part of our practice to search for clients on Google, Facebook, or other searchable sites. An exception could be during a crisis. If we have reason to suspect you are a danger to yourself or others, and we have exhausted all other reasonable means to contact you and/or your emergency contact, then we may use a search engine for information to ensure your welfare. If this ever occurs, we will fully document the search and discuss it with you at your next session.

Other Important Information

If there is a Life Threatening Emergency, please call 911.

If you are located in Washington State, you can also call the following Crisis Clinic in your county:

  • Seattle/King County: 866-4CRISIS or 866-427-4747
  • Snohomish County: 1-800-584-3578
  • Pierce County: 1-800-576-7764
  • Island County: 1-800-584-3578

More Resources:

  • Crisis Text Line: www.crisistextline.org/textus
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800 273-TALK
  • National Hopeline Network: 800-SUICIDE
  • National Youth Crisis Hotline: 800-422-HOPE or 800-442-4673
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
  • National US Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all individuals be given equal treatment and care.

Any concerns or complaints should be addressed with Kimberly Castelo at kimberlycastelo@healingmomentscounseling.net or with Kayla at kayla@healingmomentscounseling.net.


If you have questions or concerns, please reach out.

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