Notice of Privacy Practices

No Shame Recovery Counseling
Sara Vitale, MA, MLADC
Individual Telehealth Counseling for Adults in New Hampshire

Effective Date: October 9, 2026

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

Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.

No Shame Recovery Counseling respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal health information.

This notice explains how information collected during counseling may be used or disclosed, your rights concerning that information, and our responsibilities for protecting it.

No Shame Recovery Counseling provides individual telehealth counseling for adults, including substance use disorder treatment and mental health services.

The practice complies with applicable requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), 42 CFR Part 2, and New Hampshire confidentiality laws.

Certain substance use disorder treatment records receive additional federal confidentiality protections under 42 CFR Part 2. Where multiple laws apply, the practice will follow the applicable requirements governing the particular information and disclosure.

1. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to access your records.

You may request to inspect or receive a paper or electronic copy of your health records, subject to applicable legal exceptions. Requests will be handled within legally required timeframes. Reasonable, legally permitted fees may apply.

You have the right to request corrections.

If you believe information in your record is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request an amendment. If your request is denied, we will explain the reason in writing and describe your available options.

You have the right to request confidential communications.

You may ask us to contact you using a particular telephone number, mailing address, or other reasonable communication method. Reasonable requests will be accommodated as required by law.

You have the right to request restrictions.

You may request limitations on how your information is used or disclosed. We are not always required to agree.

However, when you pay in full out of pocket for a service and request that information about that service not be disclosed to your health plan for payment or healthcare operations, we generally must honor that restriction unless disclosure is required by law.

You have the right to request an accounting of disclosures.

You may request information about certain disclosures of your health information, subject to applicable exclusions and legal requirements.

Additional accounting rights may apply to substance use disorder records protected under 42 CFR Part 2.

You have the right to receive this notice.

You may request a paper or electronic copy of this notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.

You have the right to designate a representative.

A person legally authorized to act on your behalf may exercise applicable privacy rights, subject to verification and legal restrictions.

You have the right to file a complaint.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with No Shame Recovery Counseling or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint or exercising your privacy rights.

2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Information

When permitted by applicable federal and state law, your health information may be used or disclosed for the following purposes.

Treatment

We may use your information to provide counseling, assess your needs, develop treatment plans, document progress, and coordinate care.

For example, with appropriate authorization when required, we may communicate with another treating provider to support continuity of care.

Payment

We may use or disclose information to collect payment, determine insurance benefits, submit claims, and respond to payment inquiries.

If you choose to use insurance when insurance billing becomes available, certain information may be shared with your insurer or billing service as legally permitted.

Healthcare Operations

We may use information for legitimate practice operations, including quality improvement, record management, compliance activities, and administrative functions.

We may work with service providers who perform functions on our behalf under appropriate confidentiality and business associate arrangements.

Uses or Disclosures Permitted or Required by Law

Depending on the circumstances and applicable confidentiality protections, information may be disclosed for purposes including:

• Mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Mandatory reporting involving vulnerable adults.
• Taking appropriate action to warn or protect against certain serious threats of violence.
• Responding to serious