HIPAA Disclaimer and Compliance Statement

Effective Date: November 12, 2025

At The Tempered Way, we take your privacy seriously and are committed to protecting your Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, and relevant Colorado state privacy laws.
This statement explains how your information is handled when you interact with our website or communicate with us electronically.

1. Information Collection and Use

Our website may collect limited personal information that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address, and phone number, when you submit a contact form or request an appointment.
This information is used solely for purposes of communication, scheduling, or establishing contact regarding potential services.

We do not use this website to collect or store clinical documentation, psychotherapy notes, or any sensitive health information protected under HIPAA.

2. Non-Clinical Communication

While our website uses secure, encrypted (HTTPS) connections, it is not intended to transmit or store confidential clinical data or PHI.
Please avoid submitting sensitive information (such as diagnostic details, treatment history, or personal medical content) through contact forms or standard email.

For confidential matters, clients are encouraged to communicate through secure, HIPAA-compliant channels such as:

  • Encrypted telehealth platforms, or

  • Secure messaging portals as designated by your provider.

If you need to share clinical or medical information, please contact us directly at (719) 678-4680 to determine the safest communication method.

3. Website Security Measures

We use administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect any personal information transmitted through our website, consistent with HIPAA Security Rule standards. These measures include:

  • SSL/HTTPS encryption for data transmitted via our website;

  • Limited access to client contact data;

  • Secure password protection and access controls;

  • Periodic review of data security and privacy practices.

However, no online system can guarantee absolute confidentiality. You use electronic communications at your own discretion and are encouraged to avoid sending sensitive PHI through unsecured means.

4. Third-Party Services and Integrations

Our website may contain links or embedded tools provided by third-party vendors (for example, scheduling, analytics, or payment processors). While we strive to partner with services that maintain strong security practices, The Tempered Way Therapy LLC is not responsible for the privacy policies or HIPAA compliance of third-party sites or tools.

We encourage visitors to review the privacy statements of any external website or app before submitting personal information.

5. No Therapeutic Relationship via Website

Visiting this website, reading its content, or submitting a contact form does not establish a therapeutic relationship between you and any clinician at The Tempered Way Therapy LLC.
A formal therapeutic relationship begins only after intake forms are completed, informed consent is signed, and an initial session has been scheduled and confirmed by a licensed provider.

Do not submit urgent, crisis-related, or time-sensitive messages through the website. If you are in crisis, call 911 or 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or go to the nearest emergency department.

6. Your Rights Under HIPAA and Colorado Law

You have specific rights concerning your health information, including:

  • Access: The right to inspect and obtain a copy of your medical records.

  • Amendment: The right to request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete health information.

  • Accounting of Disclosures: The right to receive a list of certain disclosures of your PHI.

  • Restriction Requests: The right to request limits on how your PHI is used or shared.

  • Confidential Communication: The right to request communication through a specific means or at a specific location (for example, through a secure email or alternative phone number).

These rights are supported under HIPAA and reinforced by the Colorado Medical Records Act (C.R.S. § 25-1-801 et seq.), which grants patients the right to access their medical information within a reasonable timeframe.

To exercise any of these rights or to report a concern about privacy, contact our office directly. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

7. Data Retention and Storage

All client records, if created, are securely stored in a HIPAA-compliant electronic health record (EHR) system or encrypted drive.
Colorado law requires mental-health professionals to maintain client records for at least seven (7) years after the date of the last session (or longer for minors, per C.R.S. § 12-245-229(1)(r)).
After that retention period, records are securely destroyed or deleted in compliance with federal and state standards.

8. Updates to This Disclaimer

We may update this HIPAA Disclaimer and Compliance Statement periodically to reflect changes in legal requirements, professional ethics, or website practices.
Revisions will be posted on this page with the updated “Effective Date.”
Your continued use of our website following any changes signifies your acceptance of the updated terms.

9. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this statement, please contact The Tempered Way using the contact information at the bottom of the page.