Statement of Acknowledgement:
The Mental Health Field has caused harm to BIPOC, LGBTQ+,
Neurodivergent people, and other marginalized/oppressed groups.
We at Align Therapy and EMDR PLLC acknowledge that the Mental and Behavioral Health Profession has a deep history of causing individual and systemic harm to oppressed groups of people. This harm has not only increased the barriers to care and healing, it has also perpetuated trauma through White Supremacy and the centering of White people. The colonization of Black, Brown, and Indigenous cultures has long discarded the intrinsic healing traditions of BIPOC people and centered the individualist White body ideals. The DSM has been used as a pathologizing tool and places indefensible blame on oppressed groups instead of acknowledging that we live in a society that has toxic ideals/values and that dehumanizes oppressed groups of people. We are committed to ani-racist and anti-oppression practices as an organization. This involves a process of life-long learning, unlearning, and action to dismantle White supremacy as well as decolonize Mental and Behavioral Health treatment. We acknowledge we will make mistakes and commit to having conversations in therapy and communities around this learning to reduce the barriers to anti-oppressive care. We celebrate the humanity of BIPOC, LGBTQ+ Neurodivergent people, people living with disibilities and other intersectionally oppressed communities and believe in creating a world that celebrates this as well. If you are having any difficulties navigating our website for any reason or need accommodations, please reach out to us and we will accommodate your needs.
Additionally, we acknowledge that we live and work on Indigenous lands. This is the ancestral homelands of the Plains Tribes, including the Lipan Apache, Comanche and Tonkawa. We acknowledge that we, as White clinicians, occupy and participate in exploitation of Land that are not native to us. As an organization, we work toward reconciliation and Land Back (honoring Indigenous peoples’ Sovereignty and Stewardship over their own territory).
How do I request Mental Health Records?
Texas law requires that requests for mental health records be made in writing.
To obtain your records, please follow the steps below:
Submit a written request
Via Email Email your written request and completed Authorization form
to your therapist at juliejones@aligntherapyandemdr.com or
stevejones@aligntherapyandemdr.com
Subject line: “REQUEST FOR RECORDS”
Additional requirements (if applicable):
Litigation-related records If records are requested for use in litigation,
please include:
Cause number
Case title
Court where the case is pending
Business Records Affidavit
If you require a Business Records Affidavit, indicate this in your
request
Fee: $25
Affidavits will not be provided until payment is received
Records fee
Fee for providing records: $25 for electronic records
Accepted payment methods: credit or debit cards
Texas law does not require records to be released until fees are
paid
Couples or third-party records If you are requesting:
Couples counseling records
Records for anyone other than yourself
State and federal law require either:
A valid Court Order, or
An Authorization signed by the individual (or parent/legal guardian)
Relevant law: 45 C.F.R. §164.512(e); Texas Health & Safety Code §§611.004, 611.0045, 611.008
Instructions for Attorneys and Document Companies
A subpoena alone is not sufficient to compel disclosure of confidential counseling or billing records, or other Protected Health Information (PHI), under HIPAA (45 C.F.R. Chapter 164). For mental health or medical records requested or subpoenaed in litigation (including testimony), HIPAA permits disclosure only under the following circumstances:
In response to a valid court or administrative tribunal order, or 2. When the individual (or legal guardian):
Is a party to the proceeding
Has notice that the PHI has been requested
Does not object to the disclosure
An Authorization from the individual satisfies this requirement. Relevant law: 45 C.F.R. §164.512(e)
Important Note. If the client has indicated that they do not consent to release of records:
A “Statement of Assurance” will not be accepted
A valid Authorization or Court Order will be required
How to File a Complaint
You have a right to have your complaints heard and resolved in a timely manner. If we cannot work things out to your satisfaction, you may file a complaint with our licensing
board:
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 7.300
Austin, TX 78701
Telephone: 1-800-821-3205
Link to Complaint Form: http://www.bhec.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BHEC-Complaint-Form.pdf.
If you have a complaint concerning the HIPAA Privacy Regulations, you may contact the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, at: OCRMail@hhs.gov.
If you believe that you have a Consumer Complaint regarding the privacy and security of your health information, you may contact the Texas Office of the Attorney General and file a consumer complaint by clicking this link:
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/health-care/patient-privacy
