Effective Date: Oct 29, 2025

Last Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Who We Are

PachaYaku Therapy, PLLC is a psychotherapy and intuitive healing practice. Our website address is: https://pachayakutherapy.com. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and respect, in accordance with HIPAA regulations and professional ethical standards.

Contact Information: Teresa@pachayakutherapy.com

Information We Collect

Website Visitors

When you visit our website, we may collect:

  • IP address and browser information for security purposes
  • Pages visited and time spent on our site
  • Information you voluntarily provide through contact forms or inquiries

Therapy Clients

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing mental health services, we collect and maintain protected health information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA regulations, including:

  • Contact information (name, address, phone number, email)
  • Insurance information (when applicable)
  • Clinical information necessary for treatment
  • Session notes and treatment records

Immigration Evaluation Clients

For immigration evaluation services, we collect information necessary for psychological assessments as required by immigration courts and attorneys.

How We Use Your Information

Clinical Services

  • To provide psychotherapy, coaching, and healing services
  • To coordinate care when appropriate and with your consent
  • To process insurance claims (Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna)
  • To fulfill legal and ethical obligations as a mental health provider

Website and Communications

  • To respond to your inquiries
  • To schedule appointments and send appointment reminders
  • To provide information about our services
  • To improve our website and services

HIPAA and Confidentiality

As a healthcare provider, we are bound by HIPAA regulations and professional ethical standards. Your clinical information is kept strictly confidential except in the following limited circumstances:

  • When you provide written authorization to release information
  • When required by law (e.g., court orders, mandatory reporting of abuse)
  • To prevent serious and imminent harm to yourself or others
  • For treatment, payment, and healthcare operations as permitted by HIPAA

Data Security

We take the security of your information seriously and implement appropriate safeguards:

  • Secure, HIPAA-compliant electronic health record systems
  • Encrypted communication for sensitive information
  • Limited access to personal information
  • Regular review of security practices

Cookies and Website Technology

Our website may use cookies for:

  • Essential website functionality
  • Remembering your preferences
  • Analyzing website traffic (anonymized data)

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

Third-Party Services

Insurance Processing

When you use insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna), your information is shared with your insurance company as required for billing and claims processing.

Telehealth Services

If you participate in virtual therapy sessions, we use HIPAA-compliant video platforms. Please review their privacy policies as well.

Website Hosting and Email

Our website is hosted on secure servers. We use professional email services that comply with security best practices.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your clinical records (with some limitations as defined by law)
  • Request corrections to your information
  • Receive an accounting of disclosures
  • Request restrictions on how we use your information
  • Request confidential communications
  • File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

For therapy clients, you will receive a detailed Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) that explains your HIPAA rights in full.

Data Retention

  • Clinical Records: Maintained for the period required by North Carolina law and professional standards (typically 7 years after last contact for adults, longer for minors)
  • Website Inquiries: Retained as long as necessary to respond to your inquiry
  • Email Communications: Retained as needed for business and legal purposes

Children’s Privacy

Our services are intended for individuals ages 16 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 16 without parental/guardian consent.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Significant changes will be communicated to active clients.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your information, please contact:

Teresa Rivera, LCSW
 PachaYaku Therapy, PLLC
Email: Teresa@pachayakutherapy.com

For HIPAA-related concerns or to exercise your privacy rights regarding clinical information, please contact us at the email above.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:

  • PachaYaku Therapy, PLLC (contact information above)
  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights

You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

Acknowledgments

We honor that our practice takes place on the ancestral lands of Occaneechi, Saponi, Tuscarora, Lumbee, Cheraw, Shakori and Eno people. We are committed to protecting not only your privacy but also approaching our work with cultural sensitivity and respect for all communities we serve.

This privacy policy applies to PachaYaku Therapy, PLLC services including individual therapy, couples/family therapy, immigration evaluations, coaching and intuitive guidance, and community healing circles.