THE LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY

Communications between a therapist and client are considered "privileged," which means that the content may not be revealed to anyone else without the consent of the holder of the privilege, which is you: the client. However, there are several important limitations on that privilege including:

1.        You sign an authorization waiving your rights to confidentiality.

2.        The Courts ordered you for an evaluation, in which case I am required to furnish the Courts with information.

3.        Your therapist is subpoenaed in a court proceeding, in which case I may be obliged to surrender clinical case notes. This rarely happens, and would not happen without your knowledge.

4.        I am required by law to report any incident of suspected child abuse, molestation, or neglect to the authorities.

5.        I am required by law to report any incident of suspected elder or dependent adult abuse, neglect or abandonment to the authorities.

6.        You intend to commit suicide or homicide, in which case I am required by law to notify the authorities and any potential victims.

7.        If you are under the age of 18, and your parents have consented to your treatment, I may keep your parents or guardians informed of your progress if asked, but the content of your conversations will remain confidential.

8.        If you are using insurance, you must sign an authorization for me to contact the insurance company. Insurance companies vary in how much information they require for me to divulge to be reimbursed for services.

9.        You are ordered by an agency for an evaluation or treatment that requires the therapist to furnish information back to the agency.