NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

This Notice outlines how your health information may be used, disclosed, and accessed in a remote therapy setting. Please review it carefully.

I. My Commitment to Protect Your Health Information

As a solo practitioner, Christina Hull, MSW, LCSW, I am dedicated to safeguarding your health information. I ensure that all records related to your care and services are kept confidential and secure. This Notice details how I may use and disclose your health information, your rights regarding this information, and my responsibilities under the law, particularly in a remote therapy context.

II. How I May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

For Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations: Your health information may be used and shared to provide care, process payments, and manage health care operations. This includes sharing information with other health care providers involved in your care, especially in virtual settings.
For Legal Requirements and Disputes: I may disclose your health information as required by law or in response to legal or administrative orders.

III. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization

Psychotherapy Notes: These are kept separate and require your written authorization for most uses and disclosures, except for specific cases like treatment, training, legal defense, or compliance with legal requirements.
Marketing and Sale of PHI: I do not use or disclose your health information for marketing purposes, nor do I sell your information.

IV. Uses and Disclosures That Do Not Require Your Authorization

I may use and disclose your health information without your authorization in the following situations:

As Required by Law: To comply with legal obligations.
Public Health Activities: For reporting abuse or preventing serious threats.
Health Oversight Activities: For audits or investigations.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings: In response to court orders.
Law Enforcement Purposes: For reporting crimes or emergencies.
Coroners or Medical Examiners: To perform their legal duties.
Research Purposes: For studies comparing treatment effectiveness.
Specialized Government Functions: Including military or intelligence operations.
Workers' Compensation: As required by workers' compensation laws.
Appointment Reminders and Health-Related Information: To remind you of appointments and inform you about treatment options.

V. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

Request Restrictions: You can ask me to limit certain uses or disclosures of your health information. I am not required to agree to all requests.
Restrictions for Out-of-Pocket Payments: You can request restrictions on disclosures related to services paid out-of-pocket.
Preferred Contact Methods: You can specify how I contact you, such as through a specific phone number or email.
Access to Your Records: You have the right to review and obtain copies of your health records (excluding psychotherapy notes) within 30 days. A reasonable fee may apply.
Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of disclosures of your health information made outside of treatment, payment, or operations. I will provide this list within 60 days.
Correction of Records: You can request corrections or additions to your health information. I will respond to your request within 60 days.
Copy of This Notice: You are entitled to a paper or electronic copy of this Notice, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

VI. Remote Therapy Specific Practices

Secure Communication: I use HIPAA-compliant, secure, encrypted platforms such as Headway and Zoom for Healthcare for all video and phone sessions to protect your privacy. You are encouraged to conduct sessions in a private and secure environment to ensure confidentiality.
Zoom for Healthcare: Zoom for Healthcare provides end-to-end encryption and robust security measures to protect your information. A Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is in place between my practice and Zoom to meet HIPAA requirements. Features such as the AI Companion are disabled to maintain compliance and prevent any inadvertent access to protected health information (PHI).
Data Protection: All records are encrypted and stored securely, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access them. Headway and Zoom for Healthcare are fully HIPAA-compliant platforms, offering multiple layers of protection for your sensitive information.
Technical Issues: If technical issues arise during a session, I will work to address them promptly. If unresolved, we may switch to a telephone session or reschedule the appointment. Please ensure your technology is up-to-date to minimize disruptions.
Emergency Protocols: Remote therapy is not intended for crisis situations. In case of emergencies, contact local emergency services or use the resources provided below:
- Call 911 for immediate assistance.
- Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text "HELLO" to 741741.
- Arkansas Crisis Center: 1-888-274-7472.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Arkansas: 1-888-400-9933.
- Emergency Resources

*Remote therapy is not intended for crisis situations.

Privacy & Separation Policy: Thrive Within Therapy & Sage and Soothe

I. Understanding the Difference Between Thrive Within Therapy & Sage and Soothe

This policy outlines how your information is handled within two completely separate businesses owned and operated by Christina Hull, MSW, LCSW:

✅ Thrive Within Therapy Services, LLC – A licensed clinical therapy practice providing mental health treatment, including EMDR, DBT, CBT, ACT, and trauma-focused care. This practice is governed by HIPAA, state mental health laws, and professional ethics standards.

✅ Sage and Soothe – A non-clinical wellness and coaching business offering life coaching, yoga, Pilates, retreats, workshops, and holistic well-being services. This business is NOT therapy, does not provide clinical mental health treatment, and is NOT governed by HIPAA.

➡ These businesses are legally and ethically distinct. Engaging with one means you cannot engage with the other at any time.

II. Client Eligibility & Separation of Services

🚫 Clients cannot participate in both businesses—at any time.

If you receive therapy through Thrive Within Therapy, you cannot engage in any Sage and Soothe services—including coaching, yoga, Pilates, retreats, or workshops.
If you engage in Sage and Soothe services, you cannot later receive therapy through Thrive Within Therapy.

📌 Why?
This policy follows legal, ethical, and industry standards to:
✔ Prevent conflicts of interest and dual relationships in compliance with professional ethics (NASW, NBCC, APA, etc.).
✔ Ensure legal and regulatory compliance by keeping clinical therapy (HIPAA-regulated) separate from coaching/wellness services (not HIPAA-regulated).
✔ Maintain clear professional boundaries and avoid blurring the line between therapy and coaching.

III. Transitioning Between Services

If a client in therapy wishes to pursue wellness coaching, yoga, or holistic services, a referral will be made to another provider.
If a coaching client seeks mental health treatment, a referral will be made to a licensed therapist outside of Thrive Within Therapy.
At no point will a former client of one business be eligible to transition into the other.

IV. Privacy & Confidentiality

Each business follows its own privacy and data protection policies:
🔹 Thrive Within Therapy complies with HIPAA and state confidentiality laws for mental health records.
🔹 Sage and Soothe follows best practices for privacy but is not bound by HIPAA since it does not provide medical or mental health treatment.

V. Questions & Contact Information

For questions or clarification regarding any of these policies, please contact:
📩 Thrive Within Therapy Services, LLC: [soulcialworking23@gmail.com]