Key to Confidentiality & Privacy Policy
The HIPPA law protects the relationship between a client and a counselor. Verbal or written information cannot be disclosed to any party without your written permission. KEY is that HIPPA laws will not even allow a therapist to confirm over phone, email, text or in person the name of anyone they are seeing in therapy sessions. The exception is with your prior written consent. In addition, the therapist, cannot disclose any content of your sessions.
Exceptions to confidentiality include:
- Suspicion of either child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, which I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- Threat of serious bodily harm to another person/s by client, for which I must notify the police and inform the intended victim/s.
- Intention to harm oneself. I will make every effort to enlist your cooperation in ensuring your safety. If you do not cooperate, I will take further legal measures to ensure your safety.
- If requested for any reason by the court system.
At your request:
When asked by you, I will share information with a medical doctor, psychiatrist, another therapist or organization. I will provide the following: summary of sessions, therapies utilized, number of sessions, improvement, and recommendations made.
Before I can provide information, you must complete signed paperwork stating to whom the information can be shared with. I am more than happy to TEAM with your psychiatrist or medical doctor to provide the best service possible for you. ONLY by your request and with written permission.