Privacy Policy & Notice of Privacy Practices
WEBSITE PRIVACY POLICY
Effective date: August 4, 2026
Rockdale Mental Health, PLLC (“Rockdale Mental Health,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Website Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information associated with rockdalementalhealth.com and general, nonclinical website interactions.
This Website Privacy Policy is separate from our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
Protected health information created, received, or maintained as part of clinical care is governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), and other applicable law.
1. INFORMATION COVERED BY THIS POLICY
This policy applies to information collected through:
• Our public website;
• General website inquiry forms;
• Website analytics and cookies;
• Links or buttons used to access scheduling and contact tools; and
• Other nonclinical interactions with our website.
This policy does not replace the privacy terms of the secure client portal, insurers, payment processors, or other third-party services.
2. INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE
Depending on how you use the website, you may provide:
• Name;
• Phone number;
• Email address;
• General scheduling or service questions;
• State or location information;
• Age-range or eligibility information;
• Insurance or self-pay preference;
• Information voluntarily entered into a website form; and
• Other information you choose to provide.
Please do not submit detailed symptoms, diagnoses, medication information, medical records, Social Security numbers, payment-card information, or urgent clinical concerns through a general website form or ordinary email.
Clinical, payment, insurance, and intake information should be submitted only through an approved secure system when requested.
3. INFORMATION COLLECTED AUTOMATICALLY
When you visit the website, our website platform and service providers may automatically collect information such as:
• Internet Protocol address;
• Browser and device type;
• Operating system;
• Referring page;
• Pages viewed;
• Approximate location derived from an IP address;
• Date, time, and duration of visits;
• Cookie or similar technology identifiers; and
• Information about interactions with website features.
This information is generally used to operate, secure, troubleshoot, and improve the website.
4. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES
The website may use cookies, pixels, local storage, or similar technologies for functions such as:
• Essential website operation;
• Security and fraud prevention;
• Remembering preferences;
• Measuring traffic and performance; and
• Understanding how visitors use the site.
Your browser may allow you to block or delete cookies. Some website functions may not work correctly if essential cookies are disabled.
Where required, cookie choices may be presented through the website’s consent or privacy settings.
5. HOW WE USE INFORMATION
We may use website information to:
• Operate, maintain, and secure the website;
• Respond to general inquiries;
• Help visitors access scheduling or contact tools;
• Determine whether a requested service may be available;
• Improve website content and usability;
• Monitor performance and prevent misuse;
• Maintain business and security records;
• Comply with legal obligations; and
• Protect the rights, safety, and property of patients, visitors, Rockdale Mental Health, or others.
We do not use protected health information for targeted advertising.
6. HOW WE DISCLOSE INFORMATION
We may disclose website information to:
• Website-hosting and content-management providers;
• Scheduling, client-portal, telehealth, and communication providers;
• Analytics, information-technology, cybersecurity, and technical-support providers;
• Payment, billing, claims, credentialing, or insurance-administration providers when applicable;
• Professional advisers, such as legal, accounting, compliance, or insurance advisers;
• Government agencies, courts, regulators, or law enforcement when required or permitted by law; and
• A successor organization in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, subject to applicable privacy obligations.
Service providers are authorized to process information only for the services they provide to us or as otherwise permitted by law and contract.
Rockdale Mental Health does not sell protected health information. Rockdale Mental Health does not sell consumer health data.
7. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
The website may link to or embed services operated by third parties, including Wix and SimplePractice.
When you leave our website or interact directly with a third-party service, that provider’s privacy policy and terms may apply. We encourage you to review those policies.
8. EMAIL, TEXTING, AND GENERAL FORMS
Ordinary email, standard text messaging, and general website forms may not be encrypted or fully secure.
Do not use these methods for emergencies or detailed clinical information.
If you contact us using email, telephone, text, or a form, we may respond using the contact information you provide. You may request a different communication method, although some communications may need to occur through the secure client portal.
9. DATA SECURITY
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the nature of the information we maintain.
No website, email system, or method of electronic transmission can be guaranteed completely secure. You are responsible for using a secure device and network and for protecting your account credentials.
If protected health information is involved in a reportable breach, we will provide notice as required by applicable law.
10. DATA RETENTION
We retain website information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, to maintain security or business records, or to comply with legal obligations.
Clinical records are retained according to separate clinical record-retention policies and applicable law.
11. CHILDREN
The public website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under 13 without appropriate authorization.
Rockdale Mental Health generally provides clinical services to patients age 17 and older, subject to applicable consent and privacy requirements.
12. WASHINGTON CONSUMER HEALTH DATA NOTICE
This section applies to consumer health data governed by Washington’s My Health My Data Act to the extent that the information is not already regulated as protected health information under HIPAA or otherwise exempt from that law.
A. Categories of consumer health data we may collect
We may collect information that a visitor voluntarily provides or that may reveal an interest in mental-health services, including:
• Interest in psychiatric evaluation or medication management;
• General service, scheduling, or treatment inquiries;
• Age-range and Washington-location eligibility information;
• Insurance or self-pay preference;
• Appointment or provider preference; and
• Other health-related information a visitor voluntarily submits.
We ask visitors not to submit detailed medical information through general website forms.
B. Purposes for collection and use
We collect and use this information only as reasonably necessary to:
• Respond to the visitor’s request;
• Provide information about requested services;
• Support scheduling, eligibility, or referral needs;
• Operate and secure the website;
• Complete a service the visitor requested; and
• Comply with applicable law.
C. Sources
Consumer health data may come from:
• The consumer directly;
• A parent, guardian, personal representative, or other person acting with authority;
• Website interactions and forms; and
• Service providers acting on our behalf.
D. Categories of consumer health data shared
We may share the categories listed above only when reasonably necessary to provide a service requested by the consumer, operate the website, support scheduling or communication, comply with law, or when the consumer provides consent.
E. Categories of recipients
Consumer health data may be processed by:
• Website-hosting and technical service providers;
• Secure scheduling, client-portal, and telehealth providers;
• Communication and information-technology providers;
• Payment, billing, claims, or insurance-administration providers when requested or applicable;
• Legal, compliance, accounting, and security advisers; and
• Government authorities when required or permitted by law.
Rockdale Mental Health does not sell consumer health data.
F. Washington consumer rights
Subject to applicable law, a Washington consumer may request to:
• Confirm whether we collect, share, or sell consumer health data about them;
• Access that data;
• Obtain information about third parties or affiliates with whom the data was shared;
• Withdraw consent to future collection or sharing; and
• Delete consumer health data.
To submit a request, email rockdalementalhealth@gmail.com with the subject line “Washington Consumer Health Data Request” or call (509) 245-7575.
We may take reasonable steps to verify the request. Certain information may be retained where permitted or required by law.
If we deny a request, you may appeal by emailing the same address with the subject line “Washington Consumer Health Data Appeal.”
13. YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES
You may:
• Decline to submit information through general website forms;
• Adjust browser cookie settings;
• Request that we use a particular reasonable communication method;
• Unsubscribe from optional nonclinical communications; and
• Submit a privacy request using the contact information below.
Some rights may differ depending on whether information is governed by HIPAA, Washington law, or another law.
14. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may update this policy to reflect changes in law, technology, services, or business practices. The updated policy will be posted with a revised effective date.
15. CONTACT
Rockdale Mental Health, PLLC
Phone: (509) 245-7575
Email: rockdalementalhealth@gmail.com
Website: rockdalementalhealth.com
​
​
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective date: August 4, 2026
ROCKDALE MENTAL HEALTH, PLLC
YOUR INFORMATION. YOUR RIGHTS. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES.
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, how you can obtain access to this information, and your rights concerning your health information.
Please review it carefully.
This Notice applies to protected health information created, received, maintained, or transmitted by Rockdale Mental Health, PLLC in connection with health-care services.
YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to:
• Obtain an electronic or paper copy of your health record;
• Ask us to correct your health record;
• Request confidential communications;
• Ask us to limit what we use or share;
• Receive an accounting of certain disclosures;
• Obtain a paper or electronic copy of this Notice;
• Choose someone to act for you; and
• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
1. GET AN ELECTRONIC OR PAPER COPY OF YOUR HEALTH RECORD
You may ask to inspect or obtain an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we maintain about you.
We will provide access, a copy, or a summary within the time required by law. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee where permitted.
Access may be limited in certain circumstances allowed by law. If access is denied, we will explain the reason and any available review rights.
2. ASK US TO CORRECT YOUR HEALTH RECORD
You may ask us to amend health information you believe is incorrect or incomplete.
We may deny the request in certain circumstances, but we will provide a written explanation within the time required by law. You may submit a statement of disagreement when applicable.
3. REQUEST CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS
You may ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a different address.
We will accommodate reasonable requests. Tell us if a particular method of communication could place you at risk.
4. ASK US TO LIMIT WHAT WE USE OR SHARE
You may ask us not to use or disclose certain health information for treatment, payment, or health-care operations.
We are not required to agree to every request. If we agree, we will follow the restriction except when information is needed for emergency treatment or another exception applies.
If you pay for a service in full out of pocket, you may ask us not to disclose information about that service to your health plan for payment or health-care operations. We will honor that request unless disclosure is required by law.
5. RECEIVE AN ACCOUNTING OF DISCLOSURES
You may request a list of certain disclosures of your health information made during the six years before your request.
The accounting generally does not include disclosures for treatment, payment, health-care operations, disclosures you authorized, or certain other disclosures excluded by law.
One accounting in a 12-month period is provided without charge. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for additional requests during the same period after notifying you in advance.
6. RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.
The current Notice is also available on our website.
7. CHOOSE SOMEONE TO ACT FOR YOU
If a person has legal authority to act for you, such as a legal guardian, health-care power of attorney, or other authorized personal representative, that person may exercise your rights as permitted by law.
We will verify the person’s authority before taking action.
For minors, access and disclosure rights depend on Washington law, the type of care, who consented to treatment, and other applicable requirements.
8. FILE A COMPLAINT
You may complain if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
You may contact:
Privacy Officer
Sam Burress, PMHNP-BC
Rockdale Mental Health, PLLC
Phone: (509) 245-7575
Email: rockdalementalhealth@gmail.com
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
Online complaint information: hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
YOUR CHOICES
For certain health information, you may tell us your preferences about what we disclose.
You may tell us whether to:
• Share information with family, close friends, or others involved in your care or payment for care; or
• Share information in a disaster-relief situation.
If you cannot tell us your preference, such as during an emergency, we may disclose information if we believe it is in your best interest and the disclosure is permitted by law. We may also disclose information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION IS GENERALLY REQUIRED FOR:
• Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes, if we maintain them separately;
• Marketing purposes not otherwise permitted by law;
• Sale of protected health information; and
• Other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice.
If you authorize a use or disclosure, you may revoke the authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted in reliance on it.
Rockdale Mental Health does not sell protected health information.
Rockdale Mental Health does not currently use protected health information for fundraising. If that practice changes, you will have the right to opt out as required by law.
HOW WE TYPICALLY USE OR DISCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION
1. TREATMENT
We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your care.
Example: We may communicate with your therapist, primary-care clinician, pharmacy, laboratory, hospital, or another treating professional when permitted.
2. HEALTH-CARE OPERATIONS
We may use and disclose your health information to operate the practice, improve care, conduct quality review, train staff, manage risk, perform compliance activities, and contact you when necessary.
Example: We may review records to assess documentation quality or improve practice procedures.
3. PAYMENT
We may use and disclose your health information to bill and receive payment from you, your health plan, or another responsible payer.
Example: We may submit diagnosis, procedure, and service information to your insurance plan so that it can process a claim.
For self-pay services, we may use information to process payment, provide receipts, and maintain financial records.
OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES PERMITTED OR REQUIRED BY LAW
We may use or disclose health information in other circumstances when legal requirements are met.
These may include:
1. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
We may disclose information for legally authorized public-health and safety activities, including:
• Preventing or controlling disease;
• Reporting adverse medication or product events;
• Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when permitted or required;
• Preventing or reducing a serious and imminent threat to health or safety; and
• Other authorized public-health activities.
2. HEALTH OVERSIGHT
We may disclose information to health-oversight agencies for activities authorized by law, such as audits, inspections, investigations, licensing, credentialing, and disciplinary proceedings.
3. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW
We will disclose information when federal or state law requires us to do so, including to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when it reviews our compliance with federal privacy law.
4. JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
We may disclose information in response to a court or administrative order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process when the legal requirements for disclosure are satisfied.
Mental-health, substance-use, minor, and other specially protected records may be subject to additional restrictions.
5. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOVERNMENT REQUESTS
We may disclose information for certain law-enforcement purposes, health-oversight activities, workers’ compensation matters, military or national-security functions, correctional-institution needs, or other government functions when authorized by law.
6. CORONERS, MEDICAL EXAMINERS, AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS
We may disclose health information to a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director as authorized by law.
​
7. RESEARCH
We may use or disclose information for research when you authorize it or when an institutional review board, privacy board, or applicable law permits the use or disclosure.
8. BUSINESS ASSOCIATES
We may disclose information to contractors and service providers that perform functions involving protected health information on our behalf, such as electronic health-record, telehealth, billing, claims, payment, information-technology, legal, accounting, and compliance services.
Where required, these business associates must protect the information under written agreements and applicable law.
MENTAL-HEALTH AND OTHER SPECIALLY PROTECTED INFORMATION
Washington law may provide additional protections for mental-health, minor, reproductive-health, substance-use, sexually transmitted disease, and other sensitive information.
When state or federal law provides greater privacy protection than HIPAA, we will follow the more protective law.
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS
To the extent Rockdale Mental Health receives or maintains patient records protected by 42 C.F.R. Part 2, those records receive additional federal confidentiality protections.
Part 2 records generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigations or proceedings against you without your written consent or a qualifying court order and subpoena, as required by law.
A general authorization for health information may not be sufficient for every use or disclosure of Part 2 records.
TELEHEALTH, PORTAL, AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
We may use secure electronic systems for scheduling, intake forms, documentation, telehealth, billing, claims, secure messaging, and record delivery.
We use reasonable safeguards for electronic protected health information. However, ordinary email and standard text messaging may not be fully secure.
You may request a reasonable alternative communication method.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Rockdale Mental Health is required to:
• Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information;
• Provide this Notice describing our legal duties and privacy practices;
• Follow the privacy practices described in the current Notice;
• Notify you as required if a breach may have compromised the privacy or security of your information;
• Use or disclose only the information reasonably necessary when the minimum-necessary rule applies; and
• Follow applicable federal and Washington privacy laws.
We will not use or disclose your information other than as described in this Notice unless you authorize it in writing or another law permits or requires the use or disclosure.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
We may change the terms of this Notice. Changes may apply to all health information we maintain, including information created or received before the change.
The current Notice will be available on our website and upon request.
CONTACT
Privacy Officer
Sam Burress, PMHNP-BC
Rockdale Mental Health, PLLC
Phone: (509) 245-7575
Email: rockdalementalhealth@gmail.com
Website: rockdalementalhealth.com