HIPAA Notice and Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
1. Informational Purposes Only
The content on this website, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.
2. No Professional-Client Relationship
Accessing this website or communicating with [Your Name/Practice Name] through this site does not create a psychologist-client relationship. Such a relationship is only established after a formal intake process and a signed informed consent agreement.
3. Licensing & Jurisdiction
Dr. Hettinger is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of California, License # PSY35580. You may verify this license status at any time via the California Department of Consumer Affairs BreEZe System.
The psychological services described on this site are intended solely for residents of California or individuals located within the state of California at the time of service, in accordance with state licensing laws.
4. Emergency Services
This website is not monitored 24/7 and is not intended for emergency use.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please:
Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
5. Confidentiality & Telehealth
We prioritize your privacy and utilize secure, HIPAA-compliant methods for all telehealth services and digital communications. However, please be aware that the security of email or contact form submissions cannot be 100% guaranteed. Avoid sending sensitive clinical information via the website contact form.
6. Consumer Complaints
The California Board of Psychology receives and responds to questions and complaints regarding the practice of psychology. For more information or to file a complaint, please visit the California Board of Psychology Consumers Page.
Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
Notice to Consumers
The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Psychology receives and responds to questions and complaints regarding the practice of psychology. If you have questions or complaints, you may contact the Board of Psychology on the Internet at www.psychology.ca.gov, by e-mailing the Board at bopmail@dca.ca.gov, by calling 1-866-503-3221, or by writing to the following address: Board of Psychology, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-215, Sacramento, CA 95834.
California Board of Psychology (.gov)
Dr. Heather Hettinger, PsyD.
License PSY35580
Exp: 12/06/2026
Compliant with 2026 HIPAA Updates
Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Bright Haven Psychology is required by law to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI), follow the terms of this notice, and notify you following a breach of unsecured PHI. HHS.gov
2. How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
We may use or share your PHI for treatment (e.g., coordinating care), payment (e.g., billing insurance), and healthcare operations (e.g., quality improvement).
3. Special Protections for Mental Health & Substance Use Records
Psychotherapy Notes: Most uses/disclosures require your written authorization.
Substance Use Records (42 CFR Part 2): Special consent is required to share these records, including for treatment/payment, and they have heightened protections in legal proceedings.
Stricter Laws: We comply with stricter state laws (e.g., California’s CMIA) regarding sensitive information.
4. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
You have the right to request access/copies of records (with exceptions), request amendments, request an accounting of disclosures, request restrictions (including limiting disclosures to health plans if paid in full), and request confidential communications. HHS.gov
5. Potential for Redisclosure
Information disclosed per your authorization may be subject to redisclosure by the recipient and no longer protected by federal privacy rules.
6. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our Privacy Officer, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or the California Board of Psychology. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint. California Board of Psychology (.gov)
Board of Psychology on the Internet at www.psychology.ca.gov, by e-mailing the Board at bopmail@dca.ca.gov, by calling 1-866-503-3221, or by writing to the following address: Board of Psychology, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-215, Sacramento, CA 95834.
7. Contact Us
To exercise your privacy rights or ask questions about this policy, please contact:
California Board of Psychology Consumer Complaints.
Please Leave your
Name: [Your Name]
Email: [Your Email Address]
Phone: [Your Phone Number]
Limits of Confidentiality
As a licensed psychologist, I am a mandated reporter of abuse and neglect. If I have reasonable suspicion that a child, elderly person, or dependent adult is being abused or neglected, I am legally obliged to report this to the appropriate agency, such as Child Protective Services (CPS) or Adult Protective Services (APS)
Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy describes how Bright Haven Psychology ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and discloses your personal information when you visit our website. This policy is designed to comply with California privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). State of California - Department of Justice (.gov)
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of personal information through our website:
Identifiers: Name, email address, and phone number (e.g., provided via a contact form).
Internet Activity: IP address, browser type, and browsing behavior on our site, often collected via cookies.
Sensitive Information: Any mental health-related inquiries you voluntarily provide in free-text fields (Note: We recommend not sharing sensitive clinical data via web forms).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following business purposes:
Communication: To respond to your inquiries and schedule initial consultations.
Website Improvement: To analyze how visitors use our site and ensure its technical functionality.
Legal Compliance: To meet regulatory requirements set by the California Board of Psychology. California Board of Psychology (.gov)
3. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Information is only disclosed in the following circumstances:
Service Providers: To trusted third parties who help us operate our website (e.g., hosting providers) under strict confidentiality agreements.
Required by Law: To comply with a subpoena, court order, or mandatory reporting laws (such as suspected abuse or threats of harm).
Written Authorization: With your explicit written consent for any purpose not listed above.
4. Your California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your data:
State of California - Department of Justice (.gov)
Right to Know: Request a list of the categories of personal information we have collected about you.
Right to Delete: Request that we delete personal information collected from you, subject to legal record-keeping requirements.
Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal data.
Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Information: Request that we limit the use of your sensitive personal information to only what is necessary to provide our services.
American Psychological Association (APA)
5. Data Security and Retention
We implement industry-standard security measures, including encryption and secure hosting, to protect your data. We retain personal information only for as long as is reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or to comply with professional record-keeping laws.
6. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
While this website Privacy Policy governs your use of our site, the privacy of your actual medical/psychological records is governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A separate Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) will be provided to you upon beginning treatment.
Board of Psychology on the Internet at www.psychology.ca.gov, by e-mailing the Board at bopmail@dca.ca.gov, by calling 1-866-503-3221, or by writing to the following address: Board of Psychology, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-215, Sacramento, CA 95834.
7. Contact Us
To exercise your privacy rights or ask questions about this policy, please contact:
California Board of Psychology Consumer Complaints.
Please Leave your
Name: [Your Name]
Email: [Your Email Address]
Phone: [Your Phone Number]