Notice of Privacy Practices

Therapy by Dr. Natalie Dungey

Dr. Natalie Dungey, PsyD, LMFT #165539

Effective Date: 10/9/2026

Privacy Contact: Dr. Natalie Dungey

Phone: (323) 813 4204

Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.

This notice describes how your protected health information may be used and disclosed, how you may access that information, and the privacy rights available to you.

Your privacy and confidentiality are fundamental to the therapeutic relationship. Therapy by Dr. Natalie Dungey is committed to safeguarding your personal and clinical information in accordance with applicable federal and California laws.

Please review this notice carefully.

1. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

Access your records. Request to inspect or obtain an electronic or paper copy of your health information, subject to applicable legal exceptions. Requests are generally addressed within 30 days under HIPAA, or within shorter periods required by California law. Reasonable, legally permitted copying fees may apply.

Request corrections. Request an amendment to information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. If the request is denied, you will receive an explanation and information about available next steps.

Request confidential communication. Ask to be contacted through a particular method or at a particular address. Reasonable requests will be accommodated.

Request restrictions. Ask that certain uses or disclosures of your information be limited. Some restrictions are not mandatory, but requests will be considered as required by law.

If you pay in full out of pocket for a service, you may request that information about that service not be disclosed to your health plan for payment or health care operations. This request will be honored unless disclosure is legally required.

Request an accounting of disclosures. Request information about certain disclosures of your protected health information during the preceding six years, subject to applicable exclusions. One accounting during a 12-month period will generally be provided without charge.

Receive this notice. Request a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.

Designate a representative. Authorize another individual to exercise certain privacy rights on your behalf, where permitted by law.

File a complaint. Express concerns about privacy practices without fear of retaliation.

2. How Your Information May Be Used or Disclosed

Your health information may be used or disclosed for legally permitted purposes, including:

Treatment: To provide psychotherapy, coordinate clinically appropriate care, and communicate with other treating professionals when permitted by applicable confidentiality laws.

Payment: To process payments, maintain billing records, issue receipts or superbills, and address outstanding balances.

Health Care Operations: To manage practice administration, maintain clinical records, review quality and security procedures, and support lawful business operations.

Information may also be disclosed when permitted or required by law, including certain circumstances involving:

Suspected abuse or neglect that must be reported
Serious threats to health or safety
Public health and health oversight activities
Court orders, subpoenas, or other legal proceedings, subject to applicable legal protections
Workers' compensation matters
Law enforcement requests where legally authorized
Compliance with federal or state law
Certain research activities when legally permitted
Medical examiners or coroners when authorized by law

Not every circumstance listed automatically permits disclosure. Additional California confidentiality protections may apply to psychotherapy records.

Whenever legally required, your written authorization will be obtained before information is disclosed.

3. Your Choices and Written Authorization

You may express preferences about sharing information with family members, partners, close friends, or other individuals involved in your care.

Except where law provides otherwise, written authorization is required for uses or disclosures including:

Most uses or disclosures of separately maintained psychotherapy notes
Marketing that requires authorization under HIPAA
Sale of protected health information
Other disclosures that require authorization under federal or California law

You may revoke an authorization in writing, except to the extent action has already been taken in reliance on it or another legal exception applies.

The practice does not sell protected health information.

4. Special Protections for Mental Health and Substance Use Information

Psychotherapy and mental health records may be subject to additional confidentiality protections under California law.

Where applicable, records protected by 42 CFR Part 2 are subject to additional federal restrictions. Such records generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigations or proceedings against a patient without the legally required consent or qualifying court process.

Any use or disclosure of specially protected records will be evaluated under the applicable legal requirements.

5. Electronic Records and Communications

The practice uses electronic systems to support scheduling, documentation, billing, and communication.

Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are maintained to protect confidential health information.

Electronic communication, including ordinary email and text messaging, may involve privacy risks. Clients are encouraged to use designated secure communication methods for sensitive clinical information.

The practice's electronic health record system is Sessions Health.

6. Practice Responsibilities

Therapy by Dr. Natalie Dungey is responsible for:

Protecting the privacy and security of protected health information
Following applicable federal and state confidentiality laws
Providing this notice and following its current terms
Notifying affected individuals of breaches when required by law
Obtaining authorization when required for uses or disclosures outside legally permitted purposes
Honoring applicable patient rights concerning access, correction, and confidentiality

The practice may revise this notice when privacy practices or legal requirements change. An updated version will be available on the practice website and upon request.