Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective: April 14, 2026

About Therapy
Therapy is a collaborative process aimed at helping you identify and cope more effectively with challenges in daily life, navigate internal conflicts, and build more satisfying personal and interpersonal relationships. Participation in therapy has both benefits and risks. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings as you explore difficult aspects of your life. Benefits often include reduced distress, greater self-awareness, improved relationships, and practical skills for managing stress. There are no guarantees, and progress requires active effort both in and outside of sessions.

Confidentiality
What you share in therapy is confidential and protected by law. However, there are circumstances in which we may be required to disclose information without your authorization, including:

  • Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult

  • Imminent risk of harm to yourself or others

  • A court order, subpoena, or other legal process

  • Requirements from your insurance company or third-party payer

  • Requirements by a licensing board or regulatory authority

  • Any other applicable federal or state law

Due to our commitment to quality care, your sessions may occasionally be observed by supervising staff for consultation purposes. Your consent will always be requested before any observation takes place.

Reproductive Health Care
Federal HIPAA privacy protections expressly support the confidentiality of reproductive health care information. Rainier Mental Health will not use or disclose your protected health information (PHI) related to reproductive health care for the purpose of identifying, investigating, or imposing liability on any person solely because they sought, obtained, provided, or facilitated lawful reproductive health care.

Your Rights
You have the right to:

  • Know how your health information is used and disclosed

  • Access or receive a copy of your health information

  • Request an amendment to your health information

  • Transfer copies of your records to another provider

  • Request restrictions on how your information is used

  • Receive a copy of this Notice

  • Be notified of any changes to this Notice

How We May Use Your Information
We may use your health information for:

  • Treatment — coordinating your care with other providers

  • Payment — billing your insurance or processing payment

  • Healthcare Operations — quality improvement, supervision, and compliance activities

  • Contact — appointment reminders and practice communications

We will not use or disclose your information beyond these purposes without your prior written authorization.

Filing a Complaint
If you are unhappy with your care, we encourage you to contact our Clinical Director first:

Maya Sanchez, LMHC, Clinical Director
12721 NE Bel-Red Rd, Suite 170
Bellevue, Washington 98005
425-264-4908
msanchez@rainiermentalhealth.com

You may also file a formal complaint with:

WA State Department of Health Equal Opportunity and Access P.O. Box 47857, Olympia, WA 98504-7857 360-236-4700 HSQAComplaintIntake@doh.wa.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights 200 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201 1-877-696-6775 hhs.gov/ocr

We will never retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Disclosure Statement
Per WAC 246-810-030: Counselors practicing counseling for a fee must be registered, certified, or licensed with the Department of Health for the protection of the public health and safety. Maya Sanchez is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Supervisor with the State of Washington (License #LH60571363).