Effective Date: October 1, 2026
Our responsibilities
- Maintain the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) and other specially protected health information.
- Follow the duties and privacy practices described in the notice currently in effect.
- Notify affected individuals as required if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of information.
- Use or disclose information only as permitted by law, described in this notice, or authorized by you in writing.
- Apply more protective federal or Illinois requirements when they govern a particular mental-health, psychotherapy, or substance-use record.
How we may use and disclose information
- Treatment: to provide, coordinate, or manage your care and communicate with authorized treating professionals.
- Payment: to bill and obtain payment from health plans or other responsible payers.
- Health care operations: for quality improvement, supervision, training, compliance, auditing, credentialing, and other lawful operations.
- As required or permitted by law, including certain public health, health oversight, judicial/administrative, law-enforcement, mandatory-reporting, and serious-safety circumstances.
- With your written authorization when an authorization is required. You may revoke an authorization in writing, subject to legal limitations.
Uses and disclosures requiring special permission
Some information requires a specific authorization or additional legal analysis before disclosure. This may include certain psychotherapy notes, specially protected Illinois mental-health records, substance-use-disorder records, and uses/disclosures not otherwise permitted by law. Christian Counseling NFP will obtain an authorization when required.
Your privacy rights
- Request access to and obtain copies of records, subject to applicable federal and Illinois law.
- Request an amendment or correction of information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Request confidential communications or that we contact you in a particular way or location.
- Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures; we are not required to agree to every request.
- Request an accounting of certain disclosures.
- Receive a paper or electronic copy of this notice.
- Choose a legally authorized person to act for you when applicable.
- File a privacy complaint without retaliation.
Mental health, psychotherapy, and substance use information
Mental-health records, psychotherapy information, and substance-use-disorder records may receive additional protections under Illinois law and/or federal law. Christian Counseling NFP will apply more protective requirements when they govern a particular record or disclosure. Certain psychotherapy notes and other specially protected information generally require specific authorization except where law provides otherwise.
Minors and personal representatives
A parent, guardian, or other legally authorized representative generally exercises privacy rights for a minor when that person is the minor’s personal representative. However, there are circumstances in which Illinois law permits a minor to consent to treatment and gives the minor corresponding confidentiality/privacy rights. When the minor lawfully consents to treatment on their own behalf, privacy notices and access/disclosure decisions will be handled according to the minor’s rights and applicable law. Custody orders and legal decision-making authority may affect consent and record access.
Confidential communications
You may request reasonable confidential communication methods. Standard email, text, and voicemail can create privacy risks. Your communication preferences are documented separately and may be changed by notifying the practice.
Changes to this notice
We may change this notice and make revised terms effective for information we already maintain as permitted by law. The current notice will be available upon request and, when applicable, through the practice website or other required posting method.
Questions or complaints
- Privacy Contact/Title:
- Privacy Officer
- Phone:
- (773) 425-1232
- Email:
- badams@christiancounselingconsulting.com
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.