Notice of Privacy Practices
Brittany Ahern Nwachie, LCSW dba Misfits Therapy
Website:misfitstherapylcsw.com
Effective Date: August 9th, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
1. Our Legal Duty
Brittany Ahern Nwachie, LCSW dba Misfits Therapy is required by applicable federal (HIPAA) and state laws to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI). We are also required to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices outlining our legal duties and privacy protocols, and to abide by the terms of the notice currently in effect.
2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We may use and disclose your PHI without your written authorization for the following purposes:
Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your clinical social work and mental health care. For example, consulting with another healthcare provider regarding your care.
Payment: To bill and collect payment from you, your health insurance plan, or third-party payers for the services provided.
Healthcare Operations: To run our practice, improve quality of care, conduct administrative evaluations, and perform legal/auditing functions.
Uses & Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization
For any purpose not listed above, we will obtain your explicit written authorization before releasing your information.
Psychotherapy Notes: Notes taken during sessions that are kept separate from the rest of your medical record require separate, explicit authorization for release.
Marketing & Sale of PHI: We will never sell your PHI or use it for marketing purposes without your express written consent.
3. Exceptions & Mandatory Disclosures (No Authorization Needed)
Under state and federal law, we may be required or permitted to disclose your PHI without your consent in specific emergency or legal circumstances:
Child or Elder Abuse/Neglect: Mandatory reporting if there is reason to suspect child abuse/neglect, elder abuse, or abuse of a dependent adult.
Harm to Self or Others: If you express a serious threat of imminent physical harm to yourself or an identifiable individual, we are required by law to take protective action (including notifying law enforcement or potential victims).
Judicial & Administrative Proceedings: In response to a court order, tribunal order, or valid legal subpoena.
Health Oversight & Law Enforcement: To regulatory health boards (e.g., California BBS, Arizona BBAHE, CT Dept of Public Health) during audits or investigations.
Medical Emergencies: To medical personnel providing emergency medical care.
4. State-Specific Telehealth & Privacy Disclosures
Therapy services are provided strictly to clients physically located in California, Arizona, or Connecticut at the time of service.
California: Services comply with the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences regulations.
Arizona: Telehealth services adhere to Arizona Revised Statutes governing health information privacy and telepractice rules.
Connecticut: Telehealth practices comply with Connecticut General Statutes regarding out-of-state telehealth providers and health privacy requirements.
5. Website & Electronic Communications Privacy
Contact Forms & Email: Submitting a form on misfitstherapylcsw.com or sending an unencrypted email is not a secure, encrypted medical communication. Do not transmit sensitive medical or personal information via public website forms.
Client Portal: Enrolled clients will receive access to a HIPAA-compliant, secure online portal for clinical messaging, document sharing, and telehealth sessions.
Website Analytics: Standard, non-identifying technical data (such as IP addresses and browser types) may be collected automatically to improve website functionality. No clinical or health data is collected through marketing cookies.
6. Your Individual Rights Regarding Your Health Information
Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and obtain an electronic or paper copy of your clinical record.
Right to Request Restrictions: You can ask us not to use or share certain PHI for treatment, payment, or operations. We are not required to agree if it affects your care, but will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to Confidential Communications: You can request that we contact you in a specific way (e.g., home or cell phone) or send mail to a specific address.
Right to Amend Records: If you feel your record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment in writing.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of instances where we shared your information for reasons other than treatment, payment, or operations.
Right to a Paper Copy: You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice at any time.
7. Breach Notification
In the unlikely event of an unauthorized access, acquisition, use, or disclosure of your unencrypted PHI, we will notify you promptly in accordance with federal breach notification guidelines.
8. Complaints & Privacy Contact
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized or retaliated against for filing a complaint.
To file a privacy inquiry or complaint with us:
Brittany Ahern Nwachie, LCSW dba Misfits Therapy
Email: brittany@ahernntherapy.com
Phone: 714-278-3280
Website:misfitstherapylcsw.com
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (OCR):
Office for Civil Rights — 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll-free: 1-800-368-1019