Manara Counseling, LLC
Effective date: October 8, 2026

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Your trust matters deeply to me. What you share in our work together is private, and I protect it carefully. This notice explains how your information is used, when it may be shared, and the rights you have. It applies to everyone I serve, including counseling clients and coaching clients.

My responsibilities

  • I am required by law to keep your health information private and secure.
  • I will follow the practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
  • I will not use or share your information in ways other than those described here unless you give me written permission. You may take back that permission at any time, in writing.
  • If a breach occurs that may have put your information at risk, I will tell you promptly.

How your information is kept

Your records, forms, check-ins and portal work are stored in a secure business workspace (Google Workspace) under a Business Associate Agreement, which legally requires the provider to protect your information. Inside the client portal, your clinical information is filed under a client ID rather than your name. Sessions are transcribed so I can write accurate notes, but they are never recorded: no audio or video is kept. Transcripts are stored in the same secure workspace and protected like the rest of your record.

Email and text messages are convenient but not fully secure. Please use the client portal for anything sensitive. If you choose to use regular email or text, you accept that risk.

How I use and share your information without your written permission

For your care. I use your information to assess, plan and provide your care. I may share it with another of your health care providers only with your written permission, except in an emergency.

For payment. Manara Counseling is self-pay. I use your information to schedule, bill and give you receipts or superbills. I do not bill insurance companies. If you send a superbill to your insurer, you decide what is shared.

For running my practice. I may use your information to improve the quality of care, for clinical supervision or consultation (without your name whenever possible), and to work with service providers who help run the practice. Those providers must sign agreements to protect your information.

When the law permits or requires me to share information

In these situations I share only the minimum information needed:

  • Safety. When I believe it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety, or to someone else’s.
  • Abuse or neglect. When I am required to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child, an elderly person or a vulnerable adult.
  • As required by law. When federal, state or local law requires it.
  • Legal proceedings. In response to a court order. For a subpoena without a court order, I will first make reasonable efforts to tell you so you can object.
  • Health oversight. To licensing boards and agencies that oversee health care, for example during an audit or investigation.
  • Public health and research. For public health activities and, if ever applicable, research approved under federal privacy rules.
  • Law enforcement, coroners and government functions. Only in the limited circumstances allowed by law.
  • Workers’ compensation. When the law allows it for work-related injury claims.
  • Complaints against me. If you take legal action against me or file a complaint, I may use the information needed to respond.

The laws of the state where you live may give you more protection than described here. When they do, I follow the law that protects you more.

When I need your written permission

  • Psychotherapy notes. If I keep separate personal notes about our sessions, they are not shared without your written permission, except in the limited cases the law allows.
  • Marketing. I do not use your information for marketing.
  • Sale of information. I never sell your information.
  • Testimonials. I never ask you for a testimonial or share that you are my client.
  • Family and others. I share information with a family member or anyone else only with your permission, or in an emergency when you cannot agree.
  • Anything else not described in this notice.

Your rights

  • See and get a copy of your records. Ask in writing. I will respond within 30 days and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies. I may deny access in limited situations, such as when access could endanger you or someone else; you may ask for that decision to be reviewed.
  • Ask me to correct your records. If you believe something is wrong or incomplete, ask in writing. I may say no, but I will explain why in writing within 60 days.
  • Choose how I contact you. You may ask me to contact you in a certain way, such as through the portal only or at a different email address. I will agree to reasonable requests.
  • Ask me to limit what I use or share. I am not required to agree, but I will consider it. If you pay for a service in full yourself, you may ask me not to share that information with your health insurer, and I will agree unless the law requires otherwise.
  • Get a list of those I have shared with. You may ask for a list of the times I shared your information in the six years before your request, with whom and why. This list does not include sharing for your care, payment, practice operations, or sharing you permitted. One list a year is free.
  • Get a copy of this notice. On paper or by email, at any time.
  • Choose someone to act for you. If someone is your legal guardian or holds your health care power of attorney, they can use your rights for you. For clients under 18, a parent or guardian generally uses these rights, within the limits of state law.
  • File a complaint. If you feel your rights were not respected, please tell me first so I can make it right. You may also contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, at hhs.gov/ocr/complaints or 1-800-368-1019, or the licensing board in your state. I will never retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Changes to this notice

I may change this notice, and the changes will apply to all information I hold about you. The current version is always available on this page and in the client portal, and I will tell you about important changes.

Contact

Privacy questions or requests:
Dr. Aisha Chaudhry, Privacy Officer
Manara Counseling, LLC
10536 Cherry Oak Circle, Orlando, FL 32817
aisha@manaracounseling.com