Privacy Policy

This is Clara Counseling & Psychological Services' current Notice of Privacy Practices. It explains how protected health information (PHI) and mental health records may be used or disclosed, and how you can access your information.

Our commitment to your privacy

Clara is committed to protecting your privacy under HIPAA and the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act (MHDDCA, 740 ILCS 110/). The MHDDCA often applies stricter protections to mental health records than HIPAA. Where Illinois law is more protective, Clara follows that higher standard. Clara does not sell your data.

How your information may be used or disclosed

• Treatment: to coordinate care with clinicians and supervisors.
• Payment: to bill insurance or collect fees for services provided.
• Health care operations: for limited quality review, staff training, or audits.
• As required by law: including mandatory reporting, court orders, and public health requirements.
• With your written consent or authorization: other disclosures require your explicit written permission.

MHDDCA-specific protections

Mental health records and communications are confidential. Disclosure without your consent is extremely limited and generally allowed only in situations such as imminent harm or mandatory reporting.

When consent is required, it must identify:

• who will receive the information
• the purpose of the disclosure
• the information to be disclosed
• your right to inspect or copy the information before disclosure
• any consequences of refusing consent, if applicable
• an expiration date, if applicable
• your right to revoke consent in writing at any time

Consent must be signed. Information disclosed under consent cannot be re-disclosed without a new, specific consent. Personal notes and psychological test data receive additional protection.

Your rights

• Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures
• Request confidential communications through alternative means or locations
• Inspect or obtain copies of records, subject to applicable rules and limited exceptions
• Request amendments to incorrect or incomplete records
• Receive an accounting of disclosures
• Request a paper copy of this notice
• File a complaint without retaliation

Clara's duties

• Maintain the privacy and security of your health information
• Follow the terms of this notice
• Notify you if a breach affects your protected health information
• Make reasonable efforts to accommodate privacy-related requests

Contact information

If you have questions or want to make a complaint, please contact Clara's Privacy Officer: