Privacy Policy & Notice of Privacy Practices
Dana Markee Family Therapy, PC: 8605 Santa Monica Blvd., #142836, West Hollywood, CA, 90069-4109 • Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2026 • Last Reviewed: Oct. 10, 2026.
Provider: Dana Markee, MA
California: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT164611) · Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC23538)
Colorado: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC.0024592)
Contact: (424) 261-4696 · dana@danamarkee.com · danamarkee.com
1. About This Notice
Dana Markee Family Therapy, PC ("the Practice," "we," "us") provides psychotherapy and counseling services. We are committed to protecting the privacy of your protected health information ("PHI") — information that identifies you and relates to your physical or mental health, the care you receive from us, or payment for that care.
Federal law (HIPAA) requires us to:
Keep your PHI private and secure;
Give you this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices;
Follow the terms of the Notice currently in effect; and
Notify you if a breach of your unsecured PHI occurs.
State law (California and Colorado) may provide additional or stricter protections. Where state law is stricter than HIPAA, we follow the stricter law.
2. Scope of This Notice
This document covers:
Clinical/health information created or received by the Practice in the course of providing services (governed by HIPAA and state law); and
Information collected through our website (governed by this policy and applicable state consumer-privacy law).
It does not apply to third-party websites, apps, or platforms we may link to or work with, which have their own privacy practices.
3. How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information Without Authorization
We may use or disclose PHI for the following purposes, generally limited to the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose (except where a full record is required for treatment):
Treatment: Providing therapy; consulting with other providers involved in your care; referrals; coordination of care
Payment: Billing, claims, collecting payment, verifying benefits
Health Care Operations: Quality review, licensure/audit activities, supervision and consultation (de-identified or as permitted), scheduling, business administration, secure record storage
Appointment Reminders & Treatment Alternatives: Reminder calls/texts/emails; information about treatment options
Business Associates
Vendors (EHR, telehealth platform, billing, IT, secure messaging) that perform services for us and are bound by written confidentiality agreements
4. Uses and Disclosures That Require Your Written Authorization
Except as described in Sections 3 and 5, we will not use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization. This includes:
Psychotherapy notes — our private, personal session notes receive extra protection under HIPAA and generally require your specific authorization to disclose.
Marketing — we will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing without your authorization.
Sale of PHI — we do not sell your health information.
Substance use disorder records — if records are governed by 42 CFR Part 2, additional federal protections apply and generally prohibit disclosure without your specific written consent or a qualifying court order.
You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted in reliance on it.
5. Disclosures Permitted or Required by Law (No Authorization Needed)
We may disclose PHI without your authorization in the following situations, as permitted or required by law:
When required by law, including reporting obligations.
To prevent serious harm — if you communicate a serious threat of violence toward a reasonably identifiable person, or present a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, we may take protective steps (see state sections below).
Abuse or neglect — we are mandated reporters for suspected child abuse/neglect and, in many cases, elder or dependent/at-risk adult abuse.
Health oversight activities — audits, licensure, investigations, inspections.
Judicial and administrative proceedings — in response to a court order, or a lawful subpoena with appropriate notice/limitations.
Law enforcement, coroners, medical examiners, and organ donation, in the specific circumstances allowed by law.
Public health and safety activities and specialized government functions.
Research, with appropriate approvals or de-identification.
Workers' compensation, as required.
To avert a serious and imminent threat to health or safety, consistent with applicable law.
6. Disclosures Where You May Object
We may disclose PHI to family members, friends, or others you identify as involved in your care or payment, or for disaster-relief purposes — with your agreement, your opportunity to object, or (in an emergency) if we determine it is in your best interest. You may request a restriction on these disclosures (see Section 9).
7. California-Specific Protections
If you are located in California or received services from us in California, the following additional protections apply:
Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) — Civil Code §§ 56 et seq. — provides strong protections for medical/mental health information and penalties for unauthorized disclosure.
Psychotherapist–patient privilege — Evidence Code §§ 1010 et seq. — communications between you and your therapist are legally privileged.
Duty to Protect (Tarasoff / Civil Code § 43.92) — If you communicate a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim, we may be required to take reasonable steps to protect the potential victim (which may include warning the person and/or notifying law enforcement).
Mandatory Reporting —
Child abuse/neglect: Penal Code § 11166 (CANRA).
Elder or dependent adult abuse: Welfare & Institutions Code § 15630.
Minor consent: Certain minors may consent to outpatient mental health treatment under California Family Code § 6924. When a minor consents to their own services, confidentiality rules may vary with age and situation.
California Consumer Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA): See Section 12.
8. Colorado-Specific Protections
If you are located in Colorado or received services from us in Colorado:
Confidentiality of communications — Colorado Mental Health Practice Act, C.R.S. Title 12, Article 245 (including the confidentiality-of-communications provisions) — your communications with a licensed mental health professional are confidential, and the client's communications generally may not be examined without the client's consent (see privilege protections, C.R.S. § 13-90-107).
Mandatory disclosure to clients (C.R.S. § 12-245-216) — Colorado requires that clients be informed of specific information, including the licensee's qualifications, fees/payment policies, and how to file a complaint with the state board. We provide this as part of this Notice and our intake/informed-consent materials.
Duty to Warn/Protect (C.R.S. § 13-21-117) — If you communicate a serious threat of imminent violence against a specific person, we may take reasonable precautions to protect that person, and the statute provides certain protections for the provider acting in good faith.
Mandatory Reporting —
Child abuse/neglect: C.R.S. § 19-3-304.
At-risk elder abuse: C.R.S. § 18-6.5-108.
Emergency mental health holds: disclosure may occur as necessary for an emergency evaluation/hold under Colorado law (C.R.S. Title 27, Article 65) when there is danger to self or others.
Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) — C.R.S. § 6-1-1301 et seq. See Section 13.
9. Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your health information:
Access — See and obtain a copy of your record (including an electronic copy, if maintained electronically). We will respond within the timeframe required by law (generally 30 days).
Amendment — Request a correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Accounting of Disclosures — Request a list of certain disclosures of your PHI.
Restrictions — Request restrictions on uses/disclosures. We will generally honor a request to restrict disclosure to a health plan for a service you paid for in full out of pocket.
Confidential Communications — Ask us to contact you at a specific phone number, address, or by a specific method.
Revoke Authorization — Withdraw a prior authorization (as described above).
Breach Notification — Be notified if your unsecured PHI is breached.
Paper/Electronic Copy — Receive a copy of this Notice in the format you prefer.
Personal Representative — Exercise rights on behalf of a minor or a person for whom you are the legal representative, as allowed by law.
Opt Out of Communications — Opt out of non-essential communications such as newsletters or fundraising.
Complain — File a complaint without retaliation (see Section 19).
To exercise any right, contact us using the information in Section 20.
10. Website Privacy Policy
This section applies to information collected through danamarkee.com.
10.1 Information We Collect
You provide voluntarily when you use contact forms, request a consultation, or sign up for updates: name, email address, phone number, and any message content you submit.
Please do not submit sensitive clinical details through website forms, email, or text. These channels may not be encrypted. Submitting a form does not create a therapist–client relationship.
Collected automatically: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and date/time of access — gathered through cookies and analytics tools.
10.2 How We Use It
Respond to inquiries and consultation requests;
Schedule appointments or intake calls;
Improve our website and services;
Send requested newsletters/updates (opt-in only);
Maintain security and prevent misuse.
10.3 Cookies & Analytics
We use cookies and third-party analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand site usage. You may refuse cookies through your browser settings, though some features may not function properly.
10.4 Third-Party Service Providers
We may use vendors for hosting, scheduling, email, and analytics. These providers are expected to keep your information confidential. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites we link to.
10.5 No Sale of Personal Information
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
10.6 Children's Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 online.
11. Data Security
We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
12. California Consumer Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to:
Know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose;
Access and obtain a copy of your personal information;
Correct inaccurate personal information;
Delete personal information (subject to legal exceptions, including our obligation to retain clinical records);
Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell or share it);
Limit the use of sensitive personal information (we use health information only as permitted by HIPAA/CMIA);
Non-discrimination for exercising your rights.
Note: Information that is PHI governed by HIPAA/CMIA is generally exempt from CCPA/CPRA and is instead protected under those healthcare laws and this Notice.
To make a request, contact us (Section 20). We will verify your identity before responding.
13. Colorado Privacy Rights (Colorado Privacy Act)
If you are a Colorado resident, the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) may give you rights to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of your personal data, and to opt out of targeted advertising, sale, or certain profiling. We do not sell personal data.
Note: The CPA's exemptions apply at the data level — data that is protected health information under HIPAA is exempt, but other website data may be covered if the CPA applies to our organization. We honor these rights to the extent the CPA applies to us and to the data in question.
To make a request, contact us (Section 20).
14. Text/SMS and Electronic Communications
Texting/email is opt-in and is never a condition of treatment.
Reply STOP to opt out of texts or HELP for assistance.
SMS/email may not be encrypted. We keep message content minimal (e.g., appointment reminders, secure portal links).
We do not monitor texts or email in real time for emergencies.
We do not sell or share your mobile number or messaging opt-in data with third parties for marketing.
In an emergency, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
15. Telehealth and Multi-State Practice
We provide services by telehealth where legally permitted. Because licensure is state-specific, we generally offer services to clients physically located in a state where the provider holds an active license (currently California and Colorado). Neither California nor Colorado currently enables practice under the Counseling Compact for our disciplines (Colorado has joined the Compact but is not yet issuing privileges; California is not a member), so we require a state-specific license to serve clients in each state.
16. Minors
Services to minors are provided consistent with California and Colorado minor-consent and confidentiality laws. Parents/guardians generally hold rights as personal representatives, but confidentiality protections for minors vary by age and situation and will be explained at intake.
17. Changes to This Notice
We may update this Notice. Changes will apply to all information we maintain, including information created or received before the change. We post the current version on our website and provide it in paper form upon request. The effective date appears at the top.
18. Acknowledgment of Receipt
We ask that you sign an Acknowledgment of Receipt of this Notice (a separate short form). You are not required to sign it to receive treatment, and declining to sign will not affect your care.
19. Complaints
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint without fear of retaliation:
With us: Contact our Privacy Officer (Section 20).
Federal: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) — www.hhs.gov/ocr · 1-800-368-1019.
California: Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) — (916) 574-7830 · www.bbs.ca.gov.
Colorado: Division of Professions and Occupations, DORA — (303) 894-7800 · dora.colorado.gov.
20. Contact Information
Dana Markee Family Therapy, PC: Attn: Dana Markee, MA, LMFT, LPCC, LPC, 8605 Santa Monica Blvd., #142836, West Hollywood, CA, 90069-4109 • Phone: (424) 261-4696 · Email: dana@danamarkee.com · Website: danamarkee.com