Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Current Mood is fully committed to operating in strict accordance with all local, state, and federal laws governing mental health care in Alabama. This means that every aspect of our service – whether delivered through in-person visits, teletherapy sessions, or public-facing events – meets or exceeds the legal standards set for clinical practice. We continuously monitor regulatory requirements to ensure full compliance with applicable statutes and rules:
- State & Federal Laws: Our policies and procedures comply with all Alabama state regulations and U.S. federal laws relevant to mental health services, including stringent privacy and confidentiality statutes (law.cornell.edu). This comprehensive compliance framework encompasses laws at every level (local ordinances, Alabama state law, and federal regulations such as HIPAA).
- Licensed Practice in Alabama: Our provider is fully licensed in the state of Alabama to provide mental health care services and maintains those licenses in good standing. We do not practice outside the authorized jurisdiction – Current Mood operates only in Alabama, ensuring that we meet all Alabama state licensing requirements for both in-person care and telehealth delivery (mh.alabama.gov). (The provider holds multiple professional licenses in Alabama – for example, as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist – and abides by the rules of each licensing board.)
Professional Licensure and Ethical Standards
As a solo provider practice, Current Mood is guided by the ethical codes and standards attached to the professional licenses held by our clinician. We understand that these ethical obligations are in place to protect your wellbeing, privacy, and rights:
- Adherence to Licensing Boards: The provider strictly follows the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice mandated by the Alabama licensing boards for mental health professionals. All provisions of these ethical codes apply regardless of setting – the same high standards hold true whether we are working with you face-to-face in the office or through a teletherapy platform (law.cornell.edu). There are no exceptions: client welfare, informed consent, confidentiality, and autonomy are assured in every context as required by law and professional regulations (law.cornell.edu).
- Scope of Practice: Current Mood only offers services that are within the scope of the provider’s professional training and licensure. We do not engage in any counseling or therapeutic practice beyond what our licenses permit. By adhering to these boundaries, we comply with Alabama law and professional guidelines designed to ensure safe, competent care.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Protecting your privacy is a top priority at Current Mood. We uphold strict confidentiality in accordance with both Alabama law and federal regulations (including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA). You can trust that any personal information or health data you share with us will be handled with the utmost care and security:
- Protected Health Information (PHI): All client information, records, and communications are safeguarded under confidentiality laws. We do not disclose any client-identifying information to anyone without your explicit written consent, except in situations where disclosure is required by law (such as if there is an imminent risk of harm or a court order)(law.cornell.edu). Alabama regulations mandate compliance with state and federal confidentiality laws (e.g. HIPAA and 42 C.F.R. Part 2 for applicable cases), and we fully adhere to those standards (law.cornell.edu).
- Privacy Practices: We have implemented robust privacy policies and procedures to prevent unauthorized access to your information. All records are stored securely, and access is restricted only to authorized personnel in line with legal requirements (law.cornell.edu). We regularly train and update our staff (in this case, a solo practitioner and any support staff) on confidentiality protocols to ensure ongoing compliance with HIPAA’s Privacy Rule and relevant Alabama statutes.
Teletherapy Security and Compliance
For clients who engage in counseling through teletherapy (online video or phone sessions), Current Mood maintains the same level of compliance and care as for in-person services. In fact, Alabama’s standards and our own policies make no distinction – your rights and protections are equally preserved in virtual settings (law.cornell.edu). Here’s how we ensure safe and lawful telehealth practice:
- HIPAA-Compliant Technology: We use secure, encrypted telehealth platforms that meet HIPAA requirements for privacy and security. Alabama guidelines for telebehavioral health explicitly require that teletherapy be conducted over systems that protect your confidentiality (mh.alabama.gov). Our teletherapy tools and electronic communication methods are regularly vetted to ensure they remain HIPAA compliant and guard your data against any unauthorized access.
- Informed Consent for Telehealth: Before beginning teletherapy, we will obtain your informed consent specific to online services. We make sure you understand the nature of telehealth, its privacy considerations, and your rights. (In Alabama, documented informed consent is required prior to providing teletherapy services, and we follow this requirement diligently (onlinetherapy.com).) We also verify at the start of each session that you are in a private location, and we have a plan for emergencies (for example, knowing your local emergency contact and exact location during the session) to comply with best practices and state regulations (mh.alabama.gov).
- Standard of Care: You can expect the same standard of care via teletherapy as you would receive in person. Our provider adheres to all therapeutic guidelines and maintains professional boundaries and quality during online sessions just as in the office. The Alabama Board of Examiners emphasizes that therapists must follow all the same regulations and ethics no matter what medium of communication is used (telementalhealthtraining). (comlaw.cornell.edu(, and we fully embrace that principle.
Public Events and Outreach
Any public-facing events or community outreach conducted by Current Mood (such as workshops, seminars, or group wellness activities) are handled with professionalism and respect for privacy. While these events are educational and not personalized therapy sessions, we still operate under our ethical and legal obligations during such activities:
- Educational Purpose: Public events are intended to provide general mental health information, education, or support to communities. We clarify that these are not therapeutic services or a substitute for individualized care. This distinction helps us remain within the bounds of our professional scope and Alabama regulations for public education versus clinical treatment.
- Maintaining Confidentiality: Even in public or group settings, we are careful to protect individual privacy. We do not share any confidential client stories or identifying details in these forums without prior consent. If clinical examples are discussed for illustrative purposes, details are altered or generalized to preserve confidentiality in line with ethical standards (no real client’s identity is ever revealed). Our commitment to privacy as required by law and ethics extends to all settings, ensuring that no matter the venue, your personal information stays protected.
- Regulatory Adherence: We ensure that any advice or information provided publicly is accurate and aligns with established mental health practices. Moreover, we comply with any relevant Alabama rules for professional presentations or marketing by licensed counselors/therapists. All public communications are made in good faith to uphold the integrity of the profession and are consistent with the guidelines of the provider’s licenses.
Quick Reference: For more details on our privacy practices, you can review the federal HIPAA regulations (which set the standard for health information privacy)(law.cornell.edu). Additionally, the Alabama Department of Mental Health and our state licensing boards provide guidance that we closely follow to remain compliant with telehealth requirements and confidentiality rules (mh.alabama.gov) (onlinetherapy.com). Current Mood is dedicated to staying up-to-date with these laws and regulations, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your care is not only compassionate and effective but also legally and ethically responsible.