Notice of Privacy Practices
All Points North Counseling Services
1005 Sophia Street, Unit 200
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 445-1803
www.apncounseling.com
Effective Date: September 15, 2023
Last Updated: September 7, 2025
Our Privacy Commitment
Your health information is personal. We are committed to protecting it and following all federal and state privacy laws. We keep records of the care you receive to ensure quality treatment and comply with the law.
We are required to:
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Keep your information private.
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Provide this Notice explaining your rights and our duties.
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Follow the terms of this Notice.
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Notify you if a breach occurs that affects your information.
We may update this Notice. The current version will always be available in our office and on our website.
How We Use and Share Your Information
Treatment, Payment, and Operations
We may use and share your information without written permission to:
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Provide and coordinate your care.
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Bill and collect payment.
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Run daily operations like quality review.
Example: Your therapist may consult another provider about your care, or we may submit information to your insurance plan for payment.
We share only the minimum necessary information, except when sharing for treatment.
When Required or Allowed by Law
We may also share your information without your authorization for:
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Reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
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Preventing or reducing serious threats to health or safety.
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Audits, investigations, or court orders.
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Law enforcement, coroners, or medical examiners.
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Workers’ compensation claims.
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Appointment reminders or information about treatment options.
Uses That Require Written Authorization
We will always get your written permission before:
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Using psychotherapy notes (except for treatment, training, compliance, or legal defense).
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Using your information for marketing.
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Selling your information.
Family or Friends Involved in Care
If you allow, we may share information with family or friends involved in your care or payment. You may object at any time.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
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Request limits on how we use or share your information (we may not always be able to agree).
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Restrict disclosures to your health plan if you pay for a service in full.
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Choose how we contact you (phone, email, different address).
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See and get copies of your records within 30 days (paper or electronic). Reasonable fees may apply.
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Request corrections if something is wrong or missing.
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Get a list of disclosures we’ve made (other than for treatment, payment, or operations).
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Receive a copy of this Notice anytime (paper or electronic).
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File a complaint with us or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) if you believe your rights were violated. We will not retaliate.
You also have the right to request your information in the format you prefer (paper, electronic, or summary), if reasonably available.
Additional State Law Protections
Some states provide extra protections beyond federal law. These may include:
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Additional rights to access or amend your record.
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Stricter limits on sharing information without your written consent.
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Extra safeguards for mental health, substance use, reproductive health, or HIV-related records.
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Written consent requirements for certain disclosures.
When state law is more protective than federal law, we follow the more protective standard.
Questions or Complaints
If you have questions or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact:
Privacy Officer – All Points North Counseling Services
Kurt Droste
Email: Admin@apncounseling.com
Phone: 540-445-1803
Address: 1005 Sophia Street, Unit 200, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Or file a complaint with:
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint
You will not face retaliation for filing a complaint.
Licensing Boards
If you receive services from a licensed professional counselor, clinical social worker, or other behavioral health provider, and wish to file a complaint, you may contact:
Virginia Board of Counseling
Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4610
Online Complaints: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/PractitionerResources/Enforcement/FileAComplaint/
If you receive services from a nurse practitioner (including psychiatric nurse practitioners), you may contact:
Virginia Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4515
Online Complaints: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/PractitionerResources/Enforcement/FileAComplaint/