Sarah J. Looney, M.Ed., LPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and Arkansas
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Effective Date: 07/21/2026
This Notice Describes How Health Information About You May Be Used and Disclosed and How You Can Access This Information
Please review this notice carefully.
The privacy of your health information is important to me. This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how I may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), my legal responsibilities regarding your information, and your rights related to your health information.
My Legal Duty
I am required by applicable federal and state laws to maintain the privacy of your protected health information. I am also required to provide you with this notice explaining my privacy practices, legal duties, and your rights concerning your health information.
I must follow the privacy practices described in this notice while it is in effect. I reserve the right to change my privacy practices and the terms of this notice at any time, as permitted by applicable law.
Any changes made to this notice will apply to all protected health information maintained by my practice, including information created or received before the changes were made. If significant changes occur, I will update this notice and make the revised notice available upon request.
You may request a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time. For additional information regarding my privacy practices, please contact me using the information provided at the end of this notice.
Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
I may use or disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without requiring additional written authorization, as permitted by law.
Treatment
I may use and disclose your protected health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health care.
For example, I may communicate with other healthcare providers involved in your care, such as physicians, psychiatrists, or other treatment providers, when necessary for your treatment and when permitted by law.
Payment
I may use and disclose your protected health information to obtain payment for services provided.
This may include sharing information with insurance companies, billing platforms, or other entities involved in processing claims or verifying benefits.
Healthcare Operations
I may use and disclose your protected health information as necessary for healthcare operations related to my practice.
Healthcare operations may include activities such as quality improvement, credentialing, licensing, compliance, audits, and administrative functions necessary to operate my practice.
Third-Party Healthcare Platforms
To assist with scheduling, insurance verification, billing, and claims processing, I utilize secure third-party healthcare platforms, including Alma and Headway.
These platforms maintain their own privacy practices and policies. Information shared through these platforms may be subject to their respective privacy notices in addition to the privacy practices described in this notice.
Electronic Communication
I may communicate with you through telephone, email, or text messaging when appropriate.
While I take reasonable steps to protect your privacy, standard email and text messaging are not guaranteed to be secure methods of communication. Please avoid sending sensitive health information through these methods.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Written Authorization
Other than the uses and disclosures described in this notice, I will not use or disclose your protected health information without your written authorization.
You may provide written authorization allowing me to use or disclose your health information to individuals or organizations for purposes outside of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time. Your revocation will not affect any uses or disclosures made while your authorization was active.
Uses and Disclosures Permitted Without Authorization
There are certain situations where I may use or disclose your protected health information without your written authorization, including:
Individuals Involved in Your Care
I may disclose relevant information to a family member, friend, or other individual involved in your care or payment for your care if you agree or if permitted by law.
In emergency situations or if you are unable to communicate your preferences, I may use my professional judgment to determine whether a disclosure is in your best interest.
Required by Law
I may disclose protected health information when required by federal, state, or local law.
Public Health Activities
I may disclose protected health information for authorized public health activities, including preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability when permitted by law.
Health Oversight Activities
I may disclose protected health information to health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law, including audits, investigations, inspections, and licensing activities.
Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence
I may disclose protected health information to appropriate authorities if I have reason to believe that you are a victim of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or another crime, as required or permitted by law.
I may also disclose information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health or safety or the health and safety of others.
Legal Proceedings
I may disclose protected health information in response to court orders, subpoenas, discovery requests, or other legal processes when permitted or required by law.
Law Enforcement
I may disclose protected health information to law enforcement when permitted or required by law, including circumstances involving legal requirements, victims of crime, suspected criminal activity, or medical emergencies involving possible criminal conduct.
Military, National Security, and Correctional Institutions
I may disclose protected health information to authorized federal officials, military authorities, or correctional institutions when permitted or required by law.
Workers’ Compensation
I may disclose protected health information as authorized by workers’ compensation laws and similar programs.
Your Rights Regarding Your Protected Health Information
Right to Access Your Health Information
You have the right to inspect or request copies of your protected health information, with limited exceptions.
Requests must be made in writing. You may contact me using the information at the end of this notice to request access.
Reasonable fees may apply for copying, preparation of summaries, or other services as permitted by law.
Right to Request an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures of your protected health information that I have made outside of treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and other activities permitted by law.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on how your protected health information is used or disclosed.
I am not required to agree to your request unless required by law. If I agree to a restriction, I will follow that agreement except in emergency situations.
Right to Request Alternative Communication
You have the right to request that I communicate with you through alternative methods or locations.
Requests must be made in writing and should specify your preferred method or location.
Right to Request an Amendment
You have the right to request that your protected health information be amended if you believe information is incorrect or incomplete.
Requests must be submitted in writing and explain the reason for the requested amendment.
Right to Receive a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to receive a written copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
Questions and Complaints
If you have questions about my privacy practices or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact me.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Additional information regarding privacy complaints may be found through:
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
Click here for more information
Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling
Click here for more information
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights
Click here for more information
Contact Information
Sarah J. Looney, M.Ed., LPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and Arkansas
Email: Sarah@LooneyLPC.com
Phone: (346) 777-3550
I support your right to privacy and am committed to protecting your protected health information.