Privacy

Client Rights

Our commitment to the dignity, safety, and rights of every client and family we serve.

It is the policy of Animate Behavior to assure basic human rights to each client we serve. These rights include the right to dignity, privacy, humane care, and freedom from mental and physical abuse, exploitation, retaliation, humiliation, and neglect. Animate Behavior assures each client the right to live as normally as possible while receiving care and treatment.

It is further our policy that each client who is admitted to and receiving services from Animate Behavior has the right to treatment, including access to medical care and habilitation, regardless of age or degree of mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse. As a client of Animate Behavior, you have the rights described below.

Dignity, Safety and Respect

To be treated with dignity, privacy, and humane care, and to be free from mental and physical abuse, neglect, exploitation, retaliation, and humiliation — while receiving care and treatment, and beyond.
To a safe environment for therapy, free of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
To receive services free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
To retain all legal and civil rights afforded to you under federal and state law.

Effective, Ethical Treatment

To an individualized written treatment plan that sets forth a program to maximize the development or restoration of your skills.
To quality service provided by concerned, trained, professional, and competent staff.
To effective, evidence-based treatment that uses the least restrictive and least intrusive procedures necessary, and to be free from unnecessary restraint, seclusion, or aversive procedures.
To assent-based care — to express dissent, decline, or withdraw from an activity, and to have your assent and dissent respected throughout treatment.
To a clear statement of the purposes, goals, techniques, rules, limitations, and all other pertinent information that may affect the ongoing therapy relationship.

Information, Consent and Choice

To complete confidentiality within the limits of the law, to be informed about the legal exceptions to confidentiality, and to expect that no information will be released without your knowledge and written consent (see our Notice of Privacy Practices).
To give informed consent and to express choice regarding the release of your information, the way services are delivered, the composition of your service-delivery team, and any concurrent services you receive.
To consent to or refuse any recommended services, and to be advised of the consequences of this action.
To full, knowledgeable, and responsible participation in the ongoing treatment plan to the maximum extent feasible.
To request information and/or consultation regarding the conduct and progress of your — or your child's — therapy.
To accurate and current information, upon request, regarding your clinical team's license(s) and credentials (if applicable) and their practice limitations.
To a clear working contract in which business items — such as time of sessions, payment plans and fees, absences, access, emergency procedures, third-party reimbursement procedures, termination and referral procedures, and advanced notice of the use of collection agencies — are discussed.
To language assistance and interpreter services, and to reasonable accommodations to help you access your care.
To have an advance directive and to have it honored to the extent applicable by law.

Records and Access

To obtain information about your case record and to have this information explained to you clearly and directly.
To referrals to self-help, advocacy, and legal resources.

Raising Concerns and Ending Services

To a client grievance procedure — including requests for consultation and/or mediation — and to file a complaint with the appropriate credentialing body, without retaliation or barriers to your services.
To information on the investigation and resolution of alleged infringements of your rights.
To a clearly defined ending process for services, and to discontinue therapy at any time.

Reporting a Concern or Filing a Complaint

If you believe any of your rights have not been honored, we want to hear from you. You may raise a concern directly with your clinical team or with Animate Behavior's Quality Assurance department at any time. You may also file a complaint or grievance with your funding source — Catalight Care Services (CCS) or your health plan — and doing so will never result in retaliation or barriers to your services. The following agencies are also available for assistance, consultation, or to file a complaint:

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)bacb.com/notice-form
Catalight Care Services (CCS) — Customer Service1-833-447-7683 · customerservice@catalight.org
Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP)File a complaint with CCHP
Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB)(916) 651-6309 · DDSACPS@dds.ca.gov
California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)dhcs.ca.gov

Clients also have the right to contact the California Department of Health Care Services, the statewide department designated under federal and state law to protect and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Effective date: July 1, 2026
Animate Behavior · 5900 Hollis Street, Suite X, Emeryville, CA 94608 · 510-500-5124