Privacy Practices & HIPAA Compliance for Melissa Moe, LCSW

Last Updated: August 12, 2025

Melissa Moe, LCSW, provides counseling for children and teens in Santa Rosa, California and via telehealth to eligible clients. Protecting your privacy is both a legal requirement and an important part of my commitment to you. This page explains my compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), how your information is handled, and important limits to confidentiality.

HIPAA Compliance Statement

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California (License #113711), I comply with HIPAA and applicable California privacy laws. This means:

  • Your personal health information (PHI) is kept private and secure.
  • I will not share your information without your written consent, except in situations outlined under “Limits of Confidentiality” below.
  • Records are stored in a secure, password-protected system compliant with HIPAA security standards.

Information I Collect

During the course of providing therapy services, I may collect:

  • Personal details such as your name, date of birth, and contact information.
  • Health information relevant to your care (medical history, mental health history, treatment notes).
  • Billing information for payment processing.
  • Website form submissions if you use my contact form to request services.

This information is collected only to provide treatment, manage administrative tasks, and comply with legal requirements.

Limits of Confidentiality

Your privacy is protected, but there are specific circumstances when I may be required or permitted by law to share information without your consent:

  • If you express intent to harm yourself or others.
  • If there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse.
  • If I am required to comply with a valid court order or other legal process.

Whenever possible, I will discuss any required disclosures with you before taking action.

Communication by Email or Online Forms

I strive to protect your privacy in all communications.

Secure Communication: When available, I use HIPAA-compliant email or secure client portals for sharing sensitive information.

Standard Email: If secure email is not available, standard email will be used. Please note that standard email is not encrypted and may be vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Your Choice: You may request that we use only secure communication methods.

Online Tools: Any online scheduling or intake forms I provide will be HIPAA-compliant.

By choosing to communicate via standard email, you acknowledge and accept the potential privacy risks.

Telehealth Services

For clients receiving services via telehealth:

  • Sessions are conducted using a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video platform.
  • I am licensed to provide services to clients located in California at the time of the session.
  • Telehealth has limitations and may not be appropriate in all situations; we will discuss this before beginning.

No Emergency Services

I do not provide emergency or crisis intervention services.

If you are in crisis, please call or text 988, or contact one of the following resources:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
  • Sonoma County Crisis Stabilization Unit: (707) 576-8181
  • Emergency: Call 911

Access to Your Records

You have the right to:

  • Request a copy of your records.
  • Ask for corrections to your records.
  • Receive an accounting of disclosures.

Requests can be made in writing to:

Melissa Moe, LCSW
4415 Sonoma Hwy, Suite G
Santa Rosa, CA 95409

Professional Credentials

Melissa Moe, LCSW
California Board of Behavioral Sciences — License #113711 (Expires: 02/28/2027)
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1710522339 

Policy Updates

This privacy policy may be updated periodically to comply with legal requirements or practice changes. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.

By using this website and/or engaging in services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Practices & HIPAA Compliance notice.