Creative Psychotherapy
Privacy Policy & Notice of Privacy Practices
Creative Psychotherapy
San Rafael, California
Website: www.creativepsychotherapymarin.com
Phone: (415) 669-0227
Effective Date: November 3, 2026
At Creative Psychotherapy, your privacy, confidentiality, and trust are fundamental to the therapeutic relationship. We recognize that seeking mental health care often involves sharing sensitive and deeply personal information. We are committed to maintaining a professional, compassionate, and confidential environment in which your personal information and protected health information are treated with care and respect.
This Privacy Policy explains how information collected through our website may be used and protected. It also includes our Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes how protected health information may be used or disclosed in connection with psychotherapy services and the rights you have concerning your health information.
Part One: Website Privacy Policy
1. Information We Collect
When you visit the Creative Psychotherapy website, certain information may be collected automatically through our website hosting platform, Squarespace.
This information may include your browser type, network information, device information, IP address, pages visited, links clicked, website navigation, scrolling activity, search activity, and dates and times of website visits.
This information helps us understand website traffic, monitor website performance, maintain website security, and improve the accessibility and usefulness of our website.
2. Website Analytics
Creative Psychotherapy uses Squarespace as its website hosting platform. Squarespace may collect and process information about website activity to provide analytics and support website functionality.
Website analytics are intended to help us understand how visitors interact with our website. Information obtained through website analytics is not used by Creative Psychotherapy to diagnose psychological conditions or make clinical decisions.
For additional information about Squarespace's data practices, visit Squarespace's Privacy Policy.
3. Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality and understand website activity.
Functional and required cookies help maintain website security, navigation, and essential features. Additional analytics or performance cookies may be used depending on our website configuration and visitor preferences.
You may manage cookies through your browser settings and, where available, the website's cookie preference controls.
For more information, visit The Cookies Squarespace Uses.
4. Information You Voluntarily Provide
If you contact Creative Psychotherapy through our website, telephone, email, or another available communication method, you may voluntarily provide personal information, including your name, contact information, and reason for reaching out.
We use this information to respond to inquiries, provide requested information about our services, and facilitate appropriate communication regarding potential or existing psychotherapy services.
We encourage visitors not to submit detailed clinical histories, sensitive medical information, or emergency-related information through general website contact forms or unsecured email.
5. Electronic Communication and Security
Creative Psychotherapy takes reasonable administrative, technical, and professional precautions to protect personal information and maintain confidentiality.
However, electronic communications and internet-based systems carry inherent privacy and security risks. No method of online transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
When communicating about clinical matters, clients are encouraged to use designated secure communication systems made available by the practice.
6. Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may contain links to external websites or third-party services, including professional resources, scheduling services, and educational materials.
Creative Psychotherapy is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security procedures of independently operated websites. Visitors are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any external websites they access.
7. Website Privacy and Clinical Confidentiality
Visiting the Creative Psychotherapy website does not, by itself, establish a therapist-client relationship.
Information collected through general website analytics is distinct from information collected as part of the therapeutic relationship. Once information is received or maintained as protected health information in connection with clinical services, applicable federal and California privacy and confidentiality laws govern its use and disclosure.
Part Two: Notice of Privacy Practices
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THAT INFORMATION, AND THE RIGHTS YOU HAVE REGARDING YOUR PRIVACY. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
1. Our Commitment to Protecting Your Health Information
At Creative Psychotherapy, we understand that information concerning your mental health, personal history, relationships, and therapeutic experiences is highly sensitive.
We create and maintain clinical records to support appropriate treatment, document services, coordinate care when permitted, and comply with professional and legal obligations.
We are committed to maintaining the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), applicable California laws, and professional ethical standards.
We are required to protect the privacy of your health information, provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect, and notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information when required by law.
2. How Your Health Information May Be Used or Disclosed
Treatment
Your health information may be used to provide psychotherapy, develop treatment plans, evaluate therapeutic progress, and coordinate appropriate care.
When legally permitted, relevant health information may be shared with other health care professionals involved in your treatment. Certain categories of mental health information may have additional confidentiality protections under California law.
Payment
Health information may be used or disclosed for payment-related activities, including processing insurance claims, providing superbills, verifying benefits, or collecting payment for services.
Only information reasonably necessary for the applicable purpose will be disclosed, subject to legal requirements.
Health Care Operations
Health information may be used for legitimate health care operations, including administrative functions, professional consultation, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and other activities permitted by law.
Professional consultations and supervision are conducted with appropriate attention to confidentiality and applicable legal and ethical requirements.
3. Uses and Disclosures Required or Permitted by Law
In certain circumstances, health information may be disclosed without your written authorization when permitted or required by applicable law.
These circumstances may include mandated reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect, elder or dependent adult abuse, responding to serious threats to health or safety, authorized health oversight activities, and certain judicial or administrative proceedings.
Additional circumstances may include public health obligations, workers' compensation requirements, and disclosures to coroners, medical examiners, or law enforcement when specifically authorized by law.
California law may provide additional protections for psychotherapy records beyond those established by HIPAA. Creative Psychotherapy will follow the more protective applicable requirements.
Court orders, subpoenas, and other legal requests for mental health information will be evaluated according to applicable federal and California confidentiality laws. A subpoena alone does not necessarily authorize disclosure of confidential psychotherapy records.
4. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Written Authorization
Certain uses or disclosures of protected health information require your specific written authorization.
These generally include uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes, except where legally permitted without authorization; uses of protected health information for marketing when authorization is required; and the sale of protected health information.
Other disclosures not otherwise permitted or required by law will be made only with appropriate authorization.
Creative Psychotherapy does not sell client health information.
When written authorization is required, you may revoke that authorization in writing, except to the extent that action has already been taken in reliance on the authorization.
5. Psychotherapy Notes
Psychotherapy notes, as defined under HIPAA, receive additional privacy protections beyond those applicable to general treatment records.
These notes consist of a mental health professional's separately maintained documentation or analysis of the contents of therapeutic conversations. They are distinct from ordinary progress notes, treatment plans, diagnoses, appointment records, and other information maintained as part of the clinical record.
With limited exceptions established by law, psychotherapy notes will not be used or disclosed without your specific written authorization.
6. Artwork and Creative Expression in Therapy
Creative Psychotherapy recognizes that artwork created during psychotherapy may contain deeply personal, symbolic, emotional, or identifying information.
Artwork, photographs of artwork, written reflections, and other creative materials generated during therapy will be treated with appropriate respect for client confidentiality, privacy, and personal ownership.
Artwork or related materials will not be used for professional presentations, educational publications, research, promotional materials, or other public purposes without obtaining appropriate, specific written authorization from the client and any additional consent required by law or research ethics.
Participation in any request to share artwork is entirely voluntary. Declining authorization will not affect the availability, quality, or continuation of psychotherapy services.
Any authorization will identify the proposed use of the material and the extent to which identifying information may be included or removed. Clients may revoke authorization in writing before the authorized use occurs, subject to applicable legal limitations.
De-identification of artwork does not automatically eliminate confidentiality concerns, as artwork may contain recognizable images, narratives, symbols, or personal experiences.
7. Research and Educational Activities
Creative Psychotherapy respects the importance of advancing knowledge within psychotherapy, counseling psychology, and art therapy.
Participation in research or educational projects is voluntary and separate from the provision of clinical treatment unless otherwise clearly disclosed.
Identifiable client information, clinical records, artwork, or therapeutic experiences will not be used for research or educational purposes without an appropriate legal basis, including written authorization or another specifically applicable legal permission.
Research involving clients or clinical materials will be conducted in accordance with relevant privacy requirements, professional ethical standards, and institutional review procedures where applicable.
8. Substance Use Disorder Records
Certain records relating to substance use disorder diagnosis, treatment, or referral may receive additional federal confidentiality protections under 42 CFR Part 2.
When Creative Psychotherapy creates, receives, or maintains records subject to these requirements, those records will be used and disclosed in accordance with the applicable federal protections.
Part 2 records generally may not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against a patient without the patient's specific written consent or a qualifying court order, except as otherwise permitted by law.
Where applicable, additional restrictions govern the disclosure of substance use disorder counseling notes and other specially protected information.
9. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
As a client of Creative Psychotherapy, you have important rights regarding your protected health information.
Right to Access Your Records
You have the right to request access to or obtain copies of your health information, subject to certain legal exceptions, including protections applicable to psychotherapy notes.
Requests will be addressed within the time limits established by applicable law.
Right to Request Corrections
If you believe that information in your clinical record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. If a request is denied, you will receive an explanation consistent with applicable requirements.
Right to Request Restrictions
You may request limitations on certain uses or disclosures of your health information. Although not all requested restrictions must be accepted, requests will be evaluated according to applicable law.
When you pay in full out of pocket for a specific health care service and request that the information not be disclosed to your health plan for payment or health care operations, we will honor that restriction when required by law.
Right to Confidential Communications
You may request that Creative Psychotherapy contact you through a particular method or at a specific location to protect your privacy. Reasonable requests will be accommodated in accordance with applicable requirements.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You may request information about certain disclosures of your protected health information, subject to legal limitations and exceptions.
Right to Receive a Copy of This Notice
You have the right to request a paper or electronic copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
Right to Be Notified of Certain Breaches
You have the right to receive notification if your unsecured protected health information is breached and notification is required under applicable law.
10. Communications With Family Members and Others
Creative Psychotherapy recognizes the importance of protecting client autonomy and confidentiality.
Health information will not ordinarily be shared with family members, friends, partners, or other individuals without appropriate consent or another legally permitted basis.
In circumstances where applicable law permits involvement of individuals participating in your care or payment for care, disclosures will be limited to relevant information and will take into consideration your preferences and any applicable restrictions.
11. Appointment Reminders and Practice Communications
Creative Psychotherapy may use your contact information to communicate about scheduling, appointment reminders, billing, and other matters related to your care.
Reasonable precautions will be taken to avoid unnecessarily disclosing sensitive clinical information through routine communications.
Clients may request alternative communication methods to support their privacy.
12. Retention and Protection of Clinical Records
Clinical records will be maintained and protected in accordance with applicable federal and California laws, professional licensing requirements, and ethical standards.
Records will be retained for the periods required by law and will be securely stored or disposed of when retention is no longer required.
Access to clinical records is limited according to legitimate professional, operational, and legal needs.
13. Changes to This Notice
Creative Psychotherapy reserves the right to revise this Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices when necessary to reflect changes in laws, professional practices, technology, or business operations.
Revisions may apply to health information already maintained by the practice, to the extent permitted by law.
The most current version will be available through our website and upon request.
14. Questions, Concerns, and Privacy Complaints
If you have questions about this policy, your privacy rights, or how your personal or health information is managed, please contact:
Creative Psychotherapy
San Rafael, California
www.creativepsychotherapymarin.com
Phone: (415) 669-0227
You also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, if you believe your health information privacy rights have been violated.
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr
Creative Psychotherapy will not retaliate against anyone for exercising their privacy rights or filing a privacy complaint.
Our Commitment to You
At Creative Psychotherapy, confidentiality is more than a legal obligation. It is an essential part of the therapeutic relationship.
We believe that meaningful psychological growth requires an environment of trust, safety, respect, and compassion. Whether you are exploring anxiety, trauma, grief, relationships, or personal development through psychotherapy or art therapy, we are committed to treating your information, experiences, and creative expression with the privacy and dignity they deserve.
Creative Psychotherapy — San Rafael, California
Effective November 3, 2026