All information from therapy sessions, both verbal and written, is held in confidence and will not be discussed with any other party unless you, as the patient or guardian, have given written consent. The few exceptions when I need to legally and ethically break confidentiality are listed below:
- If a client discloses the intent and/or plan to harm him or herself, I will need to attempt to keep the client safe by having to disclose this information to legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify family of the client for protection purposes.
- If a client discloses the intent and/or plan to harm another individual, I have to attempt to keep that individual safe. I will need to disclose this information to legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify family of the client for protection purposes.
- If a client discloses that he or she is or has abused a child or vulnerable adult or if a child or vulnerable adult is in danger of being abused then I must report this information to the appropriate social services agency and/or legal authorities.
- If a client chooses to use insurance and the company asks for information to support a payment claim, but I will limit information as much as possible.
- If court subpoenaed, I will attempt to limit protected information as much as possible.