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Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective date: September 20, 2026

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.

This Notice of Privacy Practices applies to psychotherapy services provided by Inspired Life Psychology PLLC and Joanne Raptis, PhD. It does not apply to separate coaching, speaking, general workshops, or digital educational products.

I. Our pledge and responsibilities

Health information about you and your care is personal. Inspired Life Psychology PLLC creates and maintains a record of the care and services you receive in order to provide quality care and comply with legal and professional requirements.

We are required by law to:

  • Maintain the privacy and security of protected health information (“PHI”) that identifies you.
  • Provide this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
  • Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.
  • Notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured PHI when required by law.

We may change this notice, and a revised notice may apply to information already maintained as well as information received in the future. The current notice will be available upon request and on this website.

II. Uses and disclosures for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations

Treatment

We may use and disclose PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your treatment and related healthcare services. For example, we may consult with another licensed healthcare provider or coordinate a referral when permitted. Disclosures for treatment are not limited by the HIPAA minimum-necessary standard because providers may need complete information to deliver appropriate care.

Payment

We may use and disclose PHI to bill and collect payment for services, verify insurance benefits, obtain authorizations, submit claims, coordinate out-of-network reimbursement, and address billing questions.

Healthcare operations

We may use and disclose PHI for practice operations such as quality review, compliance, credentialing, audits, professional or legal consultation, and business administration. Service providers that process PHI on our behalf are required to provide appropriate safeguards through applicable Business Associate Agreements.

III. Uses and disclosures that generally require authorization

Psychotherapy notes

We maintain psychotherapy notes as that term is defined by federal law. Uses or disclosures of psychotherapy notes generally require your written authorization, except for limited circumstances permitted or required by law, including use by the note’s originator for treatment; certain training or supervision; defense in a legal action you bring; government oversight of HIPAA compliance; uses required by law; certain oversight involving the note’s originator; duties of coroners or medical examiners; or preventing or reducing a serious and imminent threat.

Marketing and sale of PHI

We do not use or disclose PHI for marketing in a manner that requires authorization, and we do not sell PHI in the regular course of business.

Other uses

Other uses and disclosures not described in this notice will generally be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent action has already been taken in reliance on it.

IV. Uses and disclosures permitted or required without authorization

Subject to limitations imposed by federal and New York law, we may use or disclose PHI without your authorization:

  • When required by state or federal law.
  • For public-health activities and legally required reports of suspected abuse or neglect.
  • For health-oversight activities such as audits and investigations.
  • For judicial or administrative proceedings in response to valid legal process. Psychologist–patient privilege and other applicable protections may limit disclosure.
  • For certain law-enforcement purposes.
  • To coroners or medical examiners performing legally authorized duties.
  • For research when properly approved and permitted by law.
  • For specialized government functions permitted by law.
  • For workers’ compensation purposes.
  • To prevent or reduce a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
  • For appointment reminders and information about treatment alternatives or health-related services.

Information lawfully disclosed to a recipient may in some circumstances be redisclosed by that recipient and may no longer be protected by HIPAA, although other laws may continue to apply.

V. Reproductive healthcare privacy

We will not use or disclose PHI for a criminal, civil, or administrative investigation of, or proceeding against, a person solely for seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating reproductive healthcare when the use or disclosure is prohibited by applicable federal law. When required by HIPAA, a person requesting potentially related PHI must provide a signed attestation that the request is not for a prohibited purpose.

VI. Disclosures to family, friends, or others

We may share relevant PHI with a family member, friend, or other person you identify as involved in your care or payment for care, unless you object in whole or in part. In an emergency, the opportunity to agree or object may be obtained retroactively when permitted by law.

VII. Your rights

You have the following rights, subject to applicable law:

  1. Request restrictions. You may ask us not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or operations. We are not always required to agree. We must agree to certain requests restricting disclosure to a health plan when the information relates solely to a service you paid for in full out of pocket.
  2. Request confidential communications. You may ask us to contact you in a particular way or at a particular location, and we will accommodate reasonable requests.
  3. Inspect or obtain copies. Other than psychotherapy notes and information subject to lawful exceptions, you may inspect or obtain an electronic or paper copy of PHI in your designated record set. We will respond within the timeframe required by law and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee where permitted.
  4. Request an accounting of disclosures. You may request a list of certain disclosures made during the period allowed by law. The first accounting in a 12-month period is provided without charge; reasonable costs may apply to additional requests after advance notice.
  5. Request an amendment. If you believe PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you may request a correction or addition. We may deny the request in circumstances permitted by law and will explain a denial in writing.
  6. Receive a copy of this notice. You may receive a paper or electronic copy at any time, even if you previously agreed to electronic delivery.
  7. Choose a representative. A person with legal authority may exercise rights on your behalf.

Some requests must be made in writing. Contact us using the information below for instructions.

VIII. Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may submit a complaint to Joanne Raptis, PhD, using the contact information below. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at hhs.gov/ocr/complaints. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

IX. Privacy contact

Joanne Raptis, PhD, Privacy Contact
Inspired Life Psychology PLLC
Licensed Psychologist, New York — License No. 026269
Email: joanne@inspiredlifepsychology.com
Phone: (347) 927-5541

Clients receiving psychotherapy are provided this notice and asked to acknowledge receipt through the applicable secure practice system. Acknowledgment confirms receipt of the notice; it is not an authorization for additional uses or disclosures.