Confidentiality & Privacy Policy
Limits of Confidentiality:
What you discuss during your therapy session is kept confidential. No contents of the therapy sessions, whether verbal or written may be shared with another party without your written consent or the written consent of your legal guardian. The following is a list of exceptions:
Duty to Warn and Protect
If you disclose a plan, have the intent or threaten to harm yourself, the therapist must take immediate steps to ensure assure that you are provided with the necessary emergency care. This may include referral to a hospital or other emergency services. Your family and/or providers such as psychiatrists may also be contacted if appropriate.
If you disclose a plan or intent to harm another person, the therapist is required to warn the possible victim and notify legal authorities.
Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults
If you disclose, or it is suspected, that there is abuse or harmful neglect of children or vulnerable adults (i.e. the elderly, disabled, etc.…), the therapist must report this information to the appropriate state agency and/or legal authorities.
Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
Therapists must report any admitted prenatal exposure to controlled substances that could be harmful to the mother or the child.
Minors/Guardianship
Parents or legal guardians of non-emancipated minor clients have the right to access the clients’ records.
Court Orders/Subpoenas
If you are involved in legal proceedings it is possible that an attorney or judge may require the release of your mental health records. In most cases the law requires the therapist to comply with such requests without the consent of the client.”