THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1871, Leander, TX 78646
Practice Location: Virtual Practice
Physical Office Address: 1210 Cottonwood Creek Trail, Ste 300, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Phone: +1 (504) 217-7342
Fax: 512 543 1966
Website: https://www.choosingempowerment.com/
Effective Date: February 16, 2026
Introduction
Choosing Empowerment, LLC is required by law to maintain the privacy of Protected Health Information, also called PHI, to provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured PHI.
PHI is information that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, health care services, or payment for health care services. This includes mental health information, diagnosis, treatment records, billing information, insurance information, appointment information, and other information related to your care.
This Notice explains how Choosing Empowerment may use and disclose PHI to provide treatment, obtain payment, conduct health care operations, and for other purposes permitted or required by law. This Notice also explains your rights regarding your PHI.
We are required to follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect. We will not use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization except as described in this Notice or as otherwise permitted or required by law.
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and this Notice. Any updated Notice may apply to all PHI we maintain, including information created or received before the Notice was changed. When we revise this Notice, we will make the updated Notice available to you.
Our Pledge
The privacy of your health information matters to us. Choosing Empowerment is committed to protecting your PHI and using it only as permitted or required by law. Our privacy practices must be followed by all employees, contractors, interns, clinicians, administrative staff, and other workforce members connected to Choosing Empowerment.
We use and disclose your PHI in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, including HIPAA, Texas law, and, when applicable, federal laws protecting substance use disorder treatment records.
How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI
The following categories describe the ways we may use and disclose your PHI. Not every use or disclosure will be listed, but all permitted uses and disclosures will fall within one of these categories.
Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care and related services.
For example, we may use your information to provide therapy, coaching when clinically connected to care, case consultation, treatment planning, safety planning, referrals, coordination with another provider, or communication with another health care professional involved in your care.
Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI so that we can bill for and obtain payment for services provided to you.
For example, we may share necessary information with your insurance company, billing service, payment processor, or health plan to verify benefits, obtain authorization, submit claims, process payments, respond to payment questions, or resolve billing issues.
Health Care Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI for business and administrative activities necessary to operate Choosing Empowerment and provide quality care.
These activities may include quality assessment, supervision, consultation, staff training, credentialing, licensing, auditing, legal compliance, business planning, administrative support, client communication, technology support, and reviewing provider performance.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care
We may disclose PHI to a family member, close friend, personal representative, or another person involved in your care or payment for your care when you have agreed, when you have given us permission, when we can reasonably infer that you do not object, or when otherwise permitted by law.
We will use professional judgment and disclose only the information that is directly relevant to that person’s involvement in your care or payment.
Parents, Legal Guardians, and Personal Representatives
If you are a minor or have a legal guardian or personal representative, we may disclose PHI to that person when permitted or required by federal or state law.
Some minors may have privacy rights under state or federal law depending on the type of service, the legal status of the minor, and the circumstances. Choosing Empowerment will follow applicable law regarding minor consent, parent access, and confidentiality.
Appointment Reminders and Communications
We may use or disclose your PHI to contact you about appointments, scheduling, reminders, forms, billing, treatment related matters, or other services.
These communications may occur through phone, voicemail, text message, email, mail, or the client portal, depending on your preferences, your consent, and the communication systems used by Choosing Empowerment.
You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Treatment Alternatives, Benefits, and Services
We may use and disclose PHI to tell you about treatment options, services, referrals, health related benefits, or resources that may be of interest to you.
Public Health Activities
We may disclose your PHI to public health authorities or other authorized entities for public health activities, including preventing or controlling disease, injury, disability, reporting abuse or neglect when required, or other activities permitted or required by law.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose PHI to health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law. These may include audits, investigations, inspections, licensure reviews, disciplinary actions, credentialing activities, and government monitoring of health care programs.
Law Enforcement
We may disclose PHI for law enforcement purposes when permitted or required by law, including in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons, or other lawful process.
We may also disclose PHI when necessary to report certain crimes, locate certain individuals, respond to emergencies, or comply with legal obligations.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
We may disclose PHI in response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process when permitted or required by law.
When appropriate, we may seek assurances that you have been notified of the request or that efforts have been made to protect the information.
Required by Law
We must disclose PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
We are required to disclose PHI to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when requested to determine whether we are complying with federal privacy laws.
Workers’ Compensation
We may disclose PHI as authorized by and necessary to comply with laws related to workers’ compensation or similar programs.
To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety
We may use or disclose PHI when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety, the health or safety of another person, or the public.
This may include disclosures related to abuse, neglect, domestic violence, threats of harm, mandated reporting, or other safety related concerns as permitted or required by law.
Abuse, Neglect, Domestic Violence, or Other Required Reports
We may disclose PHI to appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe you are a victim of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, exploitation, or another reportable concern, or when we are required by law to make a report.
As mental health professionals, we are mandated reporters and must follow applicable reporting laws.
Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors
We may disclose PHI to coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors as needed to identify a deceased person, determine cause of death, or carry out duties permitted by law.
Organ or Tissue Donation
When applicable and permitted by law, we may disclose PHI to organizations involved in organ, eye, or tissue donation and transplantation.
Disaster Relief and Notification
We may use or disclose PHI to assist in disaster relief efforts so that family members, personal representatives, or others responsible for your care may be notified of your location, general condition, or status.
Correctional Institutions
If you are or become an inmate of a correctional institution or under the custody of law enforcement, we may disclose PHI to the institution or law enforcement official when necessary for your health, safety, custody, or the health and safety of others, as permitted or required by law.
Military, Veterans, National Security, and Protective Services
If you are a member of the armed forces, we may disclose PHI as required by military command authorities or other applicable law.
We may also disclose PHI to authorized federal officials for national security, intelligence, counterintelligence, protective services, or other activities authorized by law.
Research
Under limited circumstances, we may use or disclose PHI for research purposes when approved by an institutional review board, privacy board, or as otherwise permitted by law. Choosing Empowerment does not generally conduct research using client PHI unless appropriate protections and authorizations are in place.
Business Associates
We may disclose PHI to third party service providers known as business associates who perform services for Choosing Empowerment. These may include electronic health record systems, billing services, payment processors, phone systems, secure communication platforms, legal or accounting support, and other vendors.
Business associates are required to protect your PHI and use it only as permitted by law and by their agreement with Choosing Empowerment.
Other Uses and Disclosures Requiring Written Authorization
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes not described in this Notice unless the use or disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by law.
You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time. The revocation will apply going forward. It will not affect any use or disclosure made before we received your written revocation.
Psychotherapy Notes
We will not use or disclose psychotherapy notes without your written authorization except as permitted or required by law.
Psychotherapy notes are notes recorded by a mental health professional documenting or analyzing the contents of a counseling session and kept separate from the rest of the medical record.
Marketing
We will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes without your written authorization except as permitted by law.
Sale of PHI
We will not sell your PHI without your written authorization except as permitted by law.
Fundraising
Choosing Empowerment does not use client PHI for fundraising communications. If this changes in the future, we will follow applicable law and provide any required notice and opportunity to opt out.
Substance Use Disorder Records Protected by 42 CFR Part 2
Some substance use disorder treatment records may receive additional protection under federal law, including 42 CFR Part 2.
If Choosing Empowerment creates, receives, maintains, or transmits substance use disorder records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, we will follow the additional privacy protections required by that law.
If we have your substance use disorder records that are protected by Part 2, we will not use or disclose those records in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you unless we have your written consent, or unless disclosure is permitted by a court order and subpoena or other lawful process that meets the requirements of Part 2.
If Part 2 applies to your records, your substance use disorder records may not be used to investigate or prosecute you or otherwise be used against you in a legal proceeding unless required legal protections have been satisfied.
Additional Privacy Protections Under Other Laws
Some types of health information may have additional protections under federal or state law. This may include mental health records, substance use disorder information, HIV or AIDS information, genetic information, reproductive health information, minor records, and other sensitive health information.
When another law provides stronger privacy protections than HIPAA, Choosing Empowerment will follow the stronger applicable law.
Redisclosure Notice
Information that we disclose as permitted or required by HIPAA may be redisclosed by the person or organization that receives it. In some situations, once information is redisclosed, it may no longer be protected by HIPAA.
Some information, including substance use disorder records protected by 42 CFR Part 2, may continue to have additional limits on redisclosure.
Your Health Information Privacy Rights
You have rights under federal and state law regarding your PHI. You may exercise these rights by contacting our Privacy Officer.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations.
We are not required to agree to most requested restrictions. If we do agree, we will follow the restriction unless the information is needed to provide emergency treatment or unless disclosure is otherwise required by law.
We must agree to your request to restrict disclosure of PHI to a health plan if the disclosure is for payment or health care operations, is not otherwise required by law, and the PHI relates only to a health care item or service that you or someone other than the health plan paid for in full.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a certain way or at a certain location.
For example, you may ask that we contact you only through the client portal, only by phone, or only at a specific email address. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to Access Your PHI
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of PHI maintained in your record, with limited exceptions.
In most cases, we will provide access within 15 days when required by Texas law or within the timeframe required by applicable federal law. If we are unable to fulfill the request within the required timeframe, we will notify you as permitted by law.
If we maintain records electronically and are capable of producing the records electronically, you may request an electronic copy.
We may charge a reasonable, cost based fee for copying, mailing, supplies, or preparation of the requested records as permitted by law.
Access may be denied in limited situations, such as when access could endanger you or someone else, or when the information is not legally required to be provided. If access is denied, we will explain the reason and any review rights available to you.
Right to Request an Amendment
If you believe PHI in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment.
Your request must be in writing and must explain what information you want amended and why. We will respond in writing within 60 days, with one possible 30 day extension if permitted by law.
We may deny the request in certain situations, including if the information was not created by us, is not part of the record we maintain, is accurate and complete, or is not available for inspection.
If we deny your request, you have the right to submit a written statement of disagreement. We may prepare a written rebuttal. Your request, our denial, your statement of disagreement, and any rebuttal may be included in your record as required by law.
Right to Receive an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.
This accounting does not include disclosures made for treatment, payment, health care operations, disclosures made to you, disclosures made with your authorization, or other disclosures excluded by law.
Your request must state a time period, which may not be longer than 6 years before the date of your request.
We will respond within 60 days, with one possible 30 day extension if permitted by law.
You may receive 1 accounting during a 12 month period free of charge. We may charge a reasonable fee for additional accountings during the same 12 month period. We will tell you the cost in advance so you may withdraw or modify your request.
Right to Notice of a Breach
You have the right to be notified if there is a breach of unsecured PHI that compromises the privacy or security of your information.
We will provide notice as soon as reasonably possible and no later than 60 calendar days after discovery of the breach, as required by federal and state law.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.
You may request a copy by contacting the Privacy Officer.
Right to Discuss This Notice
You have the right to ask questions about this Notice and our privacy practices. You may contact the Privacy Officer for clarification.
Right to File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Choosing Empowerment’s Privacy Officer.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, or the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council.
You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.
In rare situations, if a complaint creates a conflict that affects the therapeutic relationship or our ability to provide effective care, we will follow applicable ethical and legal requirements, which may include discussing appropriate referrals or continuity of care options.
Nondiscrimination, Accessibility, and Language Assistance
Choosing Empowerment is committed to providing services in a respectful, accessible, culturally responsive, and nondiscriminatory manner.
If you need help understanding this Notice, need this Notice in another format, need language assistance, or need an auxiliary aid or service, please contact the Privacy Officer.
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this Notice and our privacy practices at any time, as permitted by law.
Any revised Notice may apply to all PHI we maintain, including information created or received before the revised Notice became effective.
When we make a material change to this Notice, we will make the updated Notice available through our client portal, website, or upon request.
Privacy Officer
Shawnnell Batiste, M.A., LPC Choosing Empowerment, LLC
P.O. Box: 1871 Leander, TX 78646
Phone: 504-217-7342
Fax: 512 543 1966
Website: https://www.choosingempowerment.com/