Privacy Policy

Effective date: November 13, 2026

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

About this notice: Apres Psychotherapy and Coaching PLLC is a private-pay practice and does not currently bill health insurance. We voluntarily follow the privacy standards of the federal HIPAA Privacy Rule, and we comply with Massachusetts laws and professional rules that protect the confidentiality of mental health information. This notice explains our privacy practices, and we follow the terms of the notice currently in effect. We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information. We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time by letting us know in writing.

How we typically use and share your health information:

- Treatment: we use your information to provide your care, and may share it with other professionals treating you, with your permission where Massachusetts law requires it.

- Payment: we use your information to bill you for services.

- Practice operations: we use your information to run our practice and improve your care.

Psychotherapy notes: separate psychotherapy notes, if kept, receive extra protection and generally will not be shared without your written authorization, except as the law requires.

Other ways we may share your information without your authorization, only when the law allows or requires it:

- To prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to someone's health or safety.

- To report suspected abuse or neglect of a child, an elder, or a person with a disability, as Massachusetts mandated-reporter laws require.

- To comply with a court order or other legal process, or with health oversight and licensing agencies.

- For workers' compensation claims, certain government functions, or when otherwise required by law.

Massachusetts law gives extra protection to some information, such as mental health and psychotherapy communications. Where state law is more protective, we follow state law.

Uses that require your written permission: we will never sell your information or use it for marketing, and we will not share psychotherapy notes, without your written authorization.

Your rights:

- Get a copy of your records: you can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your records. We will provide it, usually within 30 days, and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

- Ask us to correct your records: you can ask us to correct information you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say no, but will tell you why in writing within 60 days.

- Request confidential communications: you can ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a different address. We will say yes to all reasonable requests.

- Ask us to limit what we share: you can ask us not to share certain information. We will consider every request and tell you our decision.

- Get a list of those we've shared with: you can ask for a list of the times we've shared your information in the six years before your request, who we shared it with, and why (excluding treatment, payment, operations and certain other disclosures).

- Get a copy of this notice: you can ask for a paper copy at any time.

- Choose someone to act for you: if someone is your legal guardian or has medical power of attorney, that person can exercise your rights.

Questions or concerns: if you feel your privacy rights have been violated, contact Alayna Serpa, LICSW (Privacy Officer) at 978-496-5323 or aprespsychotherapyandcoaching@gmail.com. You may also contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers. We will not retaliate against you for raising a concern.

Changes to this notice: we can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available on our website and on request.