Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a critically important and essential component between a client and psychotherapist. In order for the therapeutic process to be successful, therapy requires the therapist to maintain the highest degree of integrity and trust with highly sensitive verbal and written subject matter not usually discussed outside of the therapist's office. Each client can expect that contents of all therapy sessions are considered to be confidential and both verbal information and written records about a client cannot be shared with another party without the written consent of the client or the client’s legal guardian. What is discussed in session will not be shared with anyone. There may be times when you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone from your healthcare or ministry care team (e.g., ministry conference director, physician, attorney, teacher/professor). However, by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission. This is called “Informed Consent.”
Limits of Confidentiality
Please note that state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
Duty to Warn and Protect: If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming herself/himself or has threatened to harm another person. When a client discloses intentions or a plan to harm another person, the mental health professional is required to warn the intended victim and report this information to legal authorities. In cases in which the client discloses or implies a plan for suicide, the health care professional is required to notify legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify the family of the client.
Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults: Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources. If a client states or suggests that he or she is abusing a child (or vulnerable adult) or has recently abused a child (or vulnerable adult), or a child (or vulnerable adult) is in danger of abuse, the mental health professional is required to report this information to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities.
Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances: Mental Health care professionals are required to report admitted prenatal exposure to controlled substances that are potentially harmful.
Minors/Guardianship: Parents or legal guardians of non-emancipated minor clients have the right to access the clients’ records.
Insurance Providers (when applicable): Insurance companies and other third-party payers are given information that they request regarding services to clients. Information that may be requested includes, but is not limited to: types of service, dates/times of service, diagnosis, treatment plan, description of impairment, progress of therapy, case notes, and summaries.
Confidentiality is a critically important and essential component between a client and psychotherapist. In order for the therapeutic process to be successful, therapy requires the therapist to maintain the highest degree of integrity and trust with highly sensitive verbal and written subject matter not usually discussed outside of the therapist's office. Each client can expect that contents of all therapy sessions are considered to be confidential and both verbal information and written records about a client cannot be shared with another party without the written consent of the client or the client’s legal guardian. What is discussed in session will not be shared with anyone. There may be times when you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone from your healthcare or ministry care team (e.g., ministry conference director, physician, attorney, teacher/professor). However, by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission. This is called “Informed Consent.”
Limits of Confidentiality
Please note that state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
Duty to Warn and Protect: If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming herself/himself or has threatened to harm another person. When a client discloses intentions or a plan to harm another person, the mental health professional is required to warn the intended victim and report this information to legal authorities. In cases in which the client discloses or implies a plan for suicide, the health care professional is required to notify legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify the family of the client.
Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults: Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources. If a client states or suggests that he or she is abusing a child (or vulnerable adult) or has recently abused a child (or vulnerable adult), or a child (or vulnerable adult) is in danger of abuse, the mental health professional is required to report this information to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities.
Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances: Mental Health care professionals are required to report admitted prenatal exposure to controlled substances that are potentially harmful.
Minors/Guardianship: Parents or legal guardians of non-emancipated minor clients have the right to access the clients’ records.
Insurance Providers (when applicable): Insurance companies and other third-party payers are given information that they request regarding services to clients. Information that may be requested includes, but is not limited to: types of service, dates/times of service, diagnosis, treatment plan, description of impairment, progress of therapy, case notes, and summaries.