Client Confidentiality Policy

The unique nature of the therapeutic relationship allows for federally and state protected confidentiality as well as professional ethics guidelines. I am required by law, to disclose information the pertains to suspected child abuse, dependent adult or elder abuse, abuse of the developmentally disabled or mentally ill individual, as well as the inability to care for one’s own basic needs, like food and shelter, or if you disclose plans to harm yourself or someone else. Your file may be periodically reviewed in a confidential manner. A court may subpoena the files of a client in which case some confidential material may be shared.

Client confidentiality is a fundamental requirement of mental health care, obliging therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and most other mental health professionals to safeguard their clients' privacy by not disclosing the contents of therapy. This extends beyond just the content discussed in sessions; often, the mere fact that a client is in therapy is also kept confidential. For instance, therapists commonly avoid acknowledging their clients outside of therapy settings to preserve this confidentiality. Additionally, safeguarding confidentiality involves not leaving sensitive information in voicemails or texts, refraining from confirming client appointments to outside parties, and obtaining explicit client permission before discussing therapy content with third parties. State laws and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provide legal frameworks for protecting confidentiality, with penalties for professionals who breach these standards, including potential lawsuits by clients. The information you share in session is confidential and can only be released with your written consent or as mandated by law.

However, there are exceptions to these strict confidentiality rules. Licensed mental health professionals may breach confidentiality if a client poses a threat to themselves or others. In such cases, the therapist must take action to protect the individual or others, often involving notifying the person in danger or seeking hospitalization. It is important to note that expressing thoughts of suicide, does not automatically require a breach of confidentiality; there is usually a need for an expressed intent and a specific plan for intervention. Therapists may also be compelled to breach confidentiality if they suspect child or disabled person abuse, fulfilling their legal duty as mandated reporters. While there are rare instances when therapists may be subpoenaed to testify against their clients, such scenarios are more challenging to enforce than for non-licensed mental health professionals due to stricter confidentiality laws governing therapists.

Confidentiality for children in therapy is a complex issue, as minors often lack the authority to consent to treatment in many jurisdictions, relying on parental consent. Consequently, minors do not possess the same level of confidentiality rights as adults in these places. To foster trust with minors in therapy, clinicians often seek parental permission to maintain confidentiality.

Please be aware that the confidentiality policies apply to free consultations as well as ongoing therapy.