Notice of Privacy Practices
Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.
Effective Date: July 22, 2026
Provider: Brittany Volpei, LCSW
Email:hello@brittanyvolpeitherapy.com
Website: brittanyvolpeitherapy.com
Your Information. Your Rights. My Responsibilities.
This Notice explains how your Protected Health Information (PHI) may be used and disclosed, your rights regarding your health information, and my legal responsibilities to protect your privacy. Please read this Notice carefully and keep a copy for your records.
Your Rights
You have rights regarding your health information. To exercise any of these rights, please submit your request in writing to hello@brittanyvolpeitherapy.com.
Access Your Records
You have the right to request an electronic or paper copy of your health information. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying or postage, as permitted by law.
In limited circumstances, your request may be denied if disclosure could endanger your life or the safety of another person. If your request is denied, you may have the right to request a review of that decision.
Request an Amendment
If you believe information in your record is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request that it be corrected. Requests should be submitted in writing and include the reason for the requested amendment.
If your request is denied, you will receive a written explanation and may submit a written statement of disagreement to be included in your record.
Request Confidential Communications
You may request that I contact you using a specific method or at a specific location (for example, only by mail or only at a work telephone number). Reasonable requests will be honored whenever possible.
Request Restrictions
You may request restrictions on how your health information is used or disclosed for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
Although I am not required to agree to every request, I will comply whenever possible and when doing so will not interfere with your care.
If you pay for a service entirely out of pocket, you may request that information regarding that service not be disclosed to your health insurer, unless disclosure is otherwise required by law.
Request an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your health information made during the previous six years.
The first accounting requested within a 12-month period is provided at no charge. A reasonable fee may apply for additional requests.
Receive a Copy of This Notice
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.
Choose Someone to Act on Your Behalf
If you have granted someone medical power of attorney or if a legal guardian has been appointed, that individual may exercise your rights and make decisions regarding your health information, as permitted by law.
File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with me at:
Brittany Volpei, LCSW
Email: hello@brittanyvolpeitherapy.com
You may also file a complaint with:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
Website: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints
You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.
How Your Health Information May Be Used and Disclosed
Federal law permits certain uses and disclosures of your Protected Health Information without your written authorization.
Treatment
Your health information may be used or disclosed to provide, coordinate, or manage your treatment and related healthcare services, as permitted or required by applicable law.
Example: Coordinating care with another healthcare provider involved in your treatment.
Payment
Your health information may be used to obtain payment for services provided.
Example: Processing payment or providing documentation requested for out-of-network reimbursement.
Healthcare Operations
Your health information may be used for activities necessary to operate the practice.
Examples include:
Quality improvement
Licensing or accreditation activities
Record management
Appointment reminders
Administrative operations
Other Uses and Disclosures Permitted Without Your Authorization
Your health information may also be disclosed when permitted or required by law, including:
Reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
Preventing or reducing a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
Complying with court orders or other legal requirements.
Responding to lawful requests from law enforcement.
Complying with specialized government functions, including military or national security activities when required by law.
Disclosures Unless You Object
Unless you object, I may share relevant information with family members, close friends, or others involved in your care when appropriate or when you are unable to communicate your wishes.
Uses Requiring Your Written Authorization
Certain uses and disclosures require your written authorization, including:
Psychotherapy notes (except where otherwise permitted by law)
Marketing purposes
Sale of Protected Health Information
Other uses not otherwise permitted by HIPAA
You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent that action has already been taken in reliance upon it.
My Responsibilities
I am required by law to:
Maintain the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information.
Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices.
Notify you promptly if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your information.
Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect.
Comply with all applicable federal and state privacy laws.
Where state law provides greater privacy protections than HIPAA, I will follow the more protective law.
California and Tennessee Privacy Laws
Because I am licensed in both California and Tennessee, I comply with applicable privacy laws in both states, including:
California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA)
Tennessee laws governing the confidentiality of mental health information
These laws may provide additional protections beyond HIPAA regarding the use and disclosure of your mental health information.
Electronic Communications
If you choose to communicate with me by email, through online forms, or via telehealth, I use HIPAA-compliant systems and reasonable safeguards to protect your information. However, electronic communications may carry some risk of unauthorized access.
You may request an alternative method of communication at any time.
Record Retention
Your clinical records will be retained for the period required by applicable federal and state law.
Changes to This Notice
I reserve the right to revise this Notice at any time. Any revisions will apply to all Protected Health Information maintained by the practice.
The current version of this Notice will be available upon request and may also be posted on my website.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding this Notice or your privacy rights, please contact:
Brittany Volpei, LCSW
Email: hello@brittanyvolpeitherapy.com
Website: brittanyvolpeitherapy.com
Acknowledgment of Receipt
I acknowledge that I have received or been offered a copy of Brittany Volpei, LCSW's Notice of Privacy Practices. I understand that this Notice explains how my Protected Health Information may be used and disclosed and describes my privacy rights.