Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Last Updated: July 1, 2026
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how Carl Wells, PhD may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.
1. Our Duties
Carl Wells, PhD is required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information, to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices, and to follow the terms of this notice. We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and to make the new provisions effective for all PHI we maintain.
2. What is Protected Health Information
Protected health information (PHI) is information about you that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, the provision of health care to you, or the payment for that care.
3. How We Use and Disclose Your Information
3.1 For Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your mental health treatment and any related services. This includes communication with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment with your consent.
3.2 For Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to obtain payment for services provided. This may include billing your insurance company or processing payment.
3.3 For Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI for our healthcare operations including quality assessment, training, licensing, and other business activities necessary to operate our practice.
3.4 As Required By Law
We may disclose your PHI when required to do so by federal, state, or local law including mandatory reporting requirements related to abuse, neglect, or imminent danger to yourself or others.
3.5 With Your Authorization
For uses and disclosures beyond treatment, payment, and healthcare operations we will obtain your written authorization. You may revoke any authorization in writing at any time.
4. Website and Digital Communications
Information submitted through our website contact form is used only to respond to your inquiry and schedule an initial consultation. We do not use website contact form submissions for advertising, retargeting, or data sharing purposes. Please note that email and web form communications are not fully secure. For sensitive health matters we recommend contacting us by phone at (714) 292-4839.
5. Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information
5.1 Right to Access — You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of your PHI used to make decisions about your care.
5.2 Right to Amend — You have the right to request amendment of PHI that you believe is incorrect or incomplete.
5.3 Right to an Accounting of Disclosures — You have the right to request a list of disclosures of your PHI made by our practice.
5.4 Right to Request Restrictions — You have the right to request restrictions on how your PHI is used or disclosed.
5.5 Right to Confidential Communications — You have the right to request that we communicate with you about your health matters in a specific way or at a specific location.
5.6 Right to a Copy of This Notice — You have the right to receive a paper copy of this notice upon request.
5.7 Right to File a Complaint — You have the right to file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. Complaints may be filed with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/ We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
6. Minors
If you are seeking therapy services for a minor please contact us directly to discuss applicable privacy protections and parental consent requirements under California law.
7. Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this notice. Changes will apply to PHI we already hold as well as new information received after the change. The current notice will be posted on our website and made available upon request.
8. Contact Us
Carl Wells, PhD
16168 Beach Blvd, Suite 241
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Phone: (714) 292-4839
Email: cwells@socal.rr.com
Website: carlwellstherapist.com