NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

Cristen Coker Counseling LLC, DBA Better Day Therapy Effective February 16, 2026

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Your health information is personal, and we are committed to protecting it. This notice explains how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), your rights regarding that information, and our obligations under federal law, including HIPAA and 42 C.F.R. Part 2.

We are required by law to keep your PHI private, provide you with this notice, and follow its current terms. We may update this notice at any time; the current version will always be available in our office and on this website.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations We may use and share your PHI to provide your care, process payment, and manage practice operations without your written authorization. For example, we may consult with another licensed provider about your treatment. If your records are protected under 42 C.F.R. Part 2, certain uses are subject to stricter limitations even for treatment and payment purposes.

Lawsuits and Legal Proceedings We may disclose your PHI in response to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process. However, if your records are protected under 42 C.F.R. Part 2, those records may not be used in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you without your specific written consent or a court order that meets Part 2 requirements.

Uses and Disclosures That Require Your Authorization

We will not use or disclose the following without your written authorization:

  • Psychotherapy notes as defined under 45 CFR § 164.501, except for limited legally specified purposes such as training, supervision, legal defense, or legally mandated oversight

  • Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counseling notes, which require a separate written authorization that cannot be combined with consent for other record types. You may revoke this authorization at any time, except where we have already acted on it.

  • Marketing — we will never use your PHI for marketing purposes

  • Sale of PHI — we will never sell your PHI

Uses and Disclosures That Do Not Require Your Authorization

We may use or disclose your PHI without authorization when required or permitted by law, including:

  • Mandatory reporting of suspected child, elder, or dependent adult abuse

  • Public health and safety activities

  • Health oversight audits and investigations

  • Court or administrative orders

  • Law enforcement involving crimes on our premises

  • Coroner or medical examiner duties

  • Research purposes

  • Specialized government functions including military and national security

  • Workers' compensation compliance

  • Appointment reminders and information about health-related services we offer

Uses That Require You to Have the Opportunity to Object

Disclosures to family or others involved in your care — We may share relevant PHI with family members or others you identify as involved in your care, unless you object. In emergencies, consent may be obtained after the fact.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

  • Request limits on how we use or disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, or operations

  • Request restrictions on disclosures to health plans for services you paid for entirely out of pocket

  • Choose how we contact you — by phone, mail, or other reasonable means you specify

  • Access and copy your records — you may request an electronic or paper copy of your health record within 30 days of your written request; a reasonable fee may apply

  • Request an accounting of disclosures — you may request a list of disclosures made for purposes other than treatment, payment, or operations, covering the past six years; this includes disclosures of any SUD records protected under 42 C.F.R. Part 2

  • Request corrections to your PHI if you believe information is inaccurate or incomplete; we will respond in writing within 60 days

  • Obtain a copy of this notice in paper or electronic form at any time

For questions about this notice or your privacy rights, contact us at 386-663-4495.