CONFIDENTIALITY & MINORS

CONFIDENTIALITY

In general, the privacy of all communications between a Client and psychologist is protected by law and I can only release information about our work to others with your written permission.  But there are a few exceptions.

In most legal proceedings you have the right to prevent me from providing any information about your treatment.  In some proceedings involving child custody and those in which your emotional condition is an important issue, a judge may order my testimony if he/she determines that the issues demand it.

There are some situations in which I am legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm even if I have to reveal some information about a client's treatment.  For example, if I believe that a child is being abused, I must file a report with the appropriate state agency.

If I believe that a Client is threatening serious bodily harm to another, I am required to take protective actions.  These actions may include notifying the potential victim, contacting the police, or seeking hospitalization for the client.  If the Client threatens to harm himself/herself, I may be obligated to seek hospitalization for him/her or to contact family members or others who can help provide protection.  While these situations rarely occur, I will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking any action.

I may occasionally find it helpful to consult other professionals about a case.  During a consultation, I make every effort to avoid revealing the identity of my Client.  The consultant is also legally bound to keep the information confidential.  If you don’t object I will not tell you about these consultations unless I feel that it is important to our work together.

While this written summary of exceptions to confidentiality should prove helpful in informing you about potential problems, it is important that we discuss any questions or concerns that you may have at our sessions.  I will be happy to discuss these issues with you if you need specific advice, but formal legal advice may be needed because the laws governing confidentiality are quite complex

MINORS

If you are under eighteen years of age, please be aware that the law may provide your parents the right to examine your treatment records.  It is my policy to request an agreement from parents that they give up access to your records.  If they agree, I will provide them only with general information about our work together, unless I feel that there is a high risk that you will seriously harm yourself or someone else.  In this case, I will notify them of my concern immediately.  I will also provide them with a summary of your treatment when it is complete.  Before giving them any information, I will discuss the matter with you, if possible, and do my best to handle any objections you may have with what I am prepared to discuss.   

PROFESSIONAL RECORDS

The laws and standards of my profession require that I keep treatment records.  You are entitled to receive a summary of your records.  If you wish to see your records, I recommend that you review them in my presence so that we can discuss the contents.