Privacy Policy
Generally speaking, communication between a patient and mental health provider are confidential and may not be disclosed without your consent, or as otherwise provided by law.
There are exceptions to the general rule of confidentiality that would require the mental health provider to report his or her concerns without the consent of the patient. These occasions include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Belief that child abuse has or may occur
• Belief that a mentally handicap or elderly person has been or may be abused
• Reports by a patient of possible sexual abuse or exploitation by a previous therapist
An instance where you are felt to pose an imminent danger to yourself or another person may result in a loss of confidentiality, and your physician may be compelled to release your records, give a deposition, and/or testify in court.
Similarly, if you are involved in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, your physician/therapist may be compelled to release your records, give a deposition, and/or testify in court.
Special rules apply to minors: By law, a parent has the right to the medical record of the child, unless this right has been limited by court action. Parents, on the other hand, may agree that during the course of treatment given to a minor child, they will waive the right to the medical record of their child. I have found that this waiver is helpful for useful clinical work to occur.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to ask.