Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: January 6, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
I. My Commitment to Your Privacy
As a licensed psychologist in New Jersey, I am dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality of your personal health information (PHI). I am required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI and to provide you with this notice of my legal duties and privacy practices.
II. How I May Use and Disclose Your PHI
I may use or disclose your PHI for the following purposes:
Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your care. Example: Consulting with another health care provider, such as your psychiatrist or primary care physician.
Payment: To receive payment for services provided. Example: Sending information to your insurance company to process a claim.
Health Care Operations: For activities that relate to the performance of my practice. Example: Quality assessment, audits, or administrative services.
Required by Law: I will disclose PHI when required by federal, state, or local law.
Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety: I may disclose PHI to prevent a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or the safety of another person. In New Jersey, this includes notifying law enforcement and potential victims.
III. Special Protections & New Jersey Law
New Jersey law generally provides stronger privacy protections for mental health records than federal HIPAA standards.
Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege: In most legal proceedings, your communications with me are privileged. I will not release information without your written authorization or a specific court order.
Reproductive Health Care (New 2024/2026 Rule): Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, I am prohibited from disclosing your PHI to investigate or impose liability on anyone for seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating lawful reproductive health care.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Records: If I receive or maintain records from a federally funded SUD program, those records are protected by 42 CFR Part 2 and generally cannot be disclosed in legal proceedings without your specific written consent or a court order.
IV. Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
I will obtain your written authorization for:
Most uses and disclosures of Psychotherapy Notes.
Uses and disclosures of PHI for marketing purposes.
Disclosures that constitute a sale of PHI.
V. Your Rights Regarding Your PHI
Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy of your clinical record (excluding psychotherapy notes).
Right to Amend: If you feel information in your record is incorrect, you may request an amendment.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You can request a list of certain disclosures I’ve made of your PHI.
Right to Request Restrictions: You may request a limit on how I use or disclose your PHI. (I am not required to agree unless you pay for a service entirely out-of-pocket).
Right to Breach Notification: I will notify you in the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI.
VI. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with me or with:
The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The New Jersey State Board of Psychological Examiners, PO Box 45017, Newark, NJ 07101.
Website Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 6, 2026
Please Note: This policy applies to information collected on this website only. For information regarding your protected health information (PHI) and my clinical privacy practices, please refer to my Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) above.
1. Information I Collect
I collect two types of information on this Site:
Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Information you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address, or phone number when you fill out a "Contact" or "Appointment Request" form.
Non-Personal Information: Technical data collected automatically, such as your IP address, browser type, and the pages you visit.
2. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
My Site uses cookies and similar technologies (e.g., pixels or beacons) to enhance your experience and analyze Site traffic.
Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Site to function (e.g., security and load balancing).
Analytics Cookies: I use Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and interact with the Site. This data is generally de-identified and used in the aggregate.
Your Choices: You can set your browser to refuse all cookies. However, some portions of the Site may not function properly. To opt-out of tracking, you may also use "Global Privacy Control" (GPC) signals in your browser, which my Site honors.
3. HIPAA and Your Privacy
In accordance with federal guidance (HHS/OCR), I take specific precautions regarding tracking technologies:
No Unauthorized PHI Disclosure: I do not use tracking pixels (like the Meta/Facebook Pixel) on pages where a visitor’s presence could reveal their status as a patient or their intent to seek specific mental health treatment, unless a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is in place with the vendor.
Secure Forms: If you use my website contact form, please be aware that standard email/web forms may not be fully encrypted. For sensitive clinical matters, please contact me by email at bridget@freihartpsychological.com
4. New Jersey Data Privacy Rights (NJDPA)
Under the New Jersey Data Privacy Act, New Jersey residents have specific rights regarding their personal data. Although I am a small healthcare provider, I am committed to these transparency standards:
Right to Access/Correct: You may request to see or correct the personal data I have collected about you through this website.
Right to Delete: You may request that I delete personal data collected via the Site.
Right to Opt-Out: I do not "sell" your personal data or use it for "targeted advertising" as defined by NJ law.
Sensitive Data: I will not process "sensitive data" (as defined by NJ law) without your prior consent.
To exercise these rights, please contact me at bridget@freihartpsychological.com. I will respond to your request within 45 days.
5. Third-Party Links
My Site may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., Psychology Today, professional associations). I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those external sites.
6. Children’s Privacy
This Site is not intended for children under the age of 13. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children via the Site.
7. Changes to This Policy
I may update this Website Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date."
8. Contact Information
If you have questions about this policy, please contact Dr. Bridget Freihart at bridget@freihartpsychological.com