NOTICE OF PRIVACY Practices

A forest scene with tall trees, dense green foliage, and a narrow dirt path winding through the woods, illuminated by sunlight filtering through the leaves.

NOTICE OF PRIVACY Practices

Rose and Fern Counseling, LLC
Sarah C. Nelson, Ph.D.
Effective Date: August 12, 2026

Your Information. Your Rights. My Responsibilities.

This notice describes how your protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed and how you can access your information. Please review it carefully.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your health information and request a copy, subject to applicable exceptions.

  • Request corrections to information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.

  • Request confidential communications, such as asking that I contact you in a particular way or at a particular location.

  • Request restrictions on how your information is used or disclosed. I am not required to agree to every request.

  • Request a record of certain disclosures of your health information.

  • Receive a copy of this Notice in paper or electronic form.

  • File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Psychotherapy notes maintained separately from your medical record receive additional protections under HIPAA and generally require your written authorization for disclosure.

How I May Use or Share Your Information

I may use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization when permitted or required by law, including for:

  • Treatment — providing and coordinating your mental health care.

  • Payment — billing and obtaining payment for services.

  • Health care operations — activities necessary to operate my practice.

  • Legal requirements — when disclosure is required by federal or Oregon law.

  • Health and safety — when disclosure is permitted or required to address certain serious safety concerns.

  • Abuse or neglect reporting — when reporting is required by law.

  • Legal proceedings and law enforcement — when permitted or required by applicable law.

I will obtain your written authorization for uses or disclosures when authorization is required by law. You may revoke an authorization in writing, except to the extent I have already relied on it.

Confidentiality

I take the confidentiality of therapy seriously. Oregon law generally protects communications between psychologists and clients, subject to legal exceptions.

Information may be disclosed without your authorization when required or permitted by law, including certain situations involving abuse or neglect, threats of harm, legal proceedings, or other circumstances established by law.

Telehealth and Electronic Communication

Rose and Fern Counseling provides telehealth therapy exclusively.

I use SimplePractice for secure client communication, scheduling, telehealth, billing, and management of clinical records. I take reasonable steps to protect your health information when using electronic systems.

Please use the secure client portal for clinical communication whenever possible.

My Responsibilities

I am required to:

  • Protect the privacy of your PHI.

  • Provide you with this Notice describing my privacy practices and your rights.

  • Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect.

  • Notify you when required by law if a breach compromises the privacy or security of your PHI.

I may update this Notice as privacy laws or my practices change. The current version will be available on this website and upon request.

Questions or Complaints

If you have questions or concerns about your privacy, please contact:

Sarah C. Nelson, Ph.D.
Rose and Fern Counseling, LLC
3439 SE Hawthorne #1114 Portland, Oregon 97215

503-433-3443

sarah@roseandferncounseling.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Filing a complaint will not affect your care or result in retaliation.

This Notice of Privacy Practices is separate from Rose and Fern Counseling's general website Privacy Policy, which describes information collected through this website.