Confidentiality is the cornerstone of my profession. I am bound both ethically and legally to maintain the highest level of privacy for each person. This is essential in order to develop the trust that is necessary to do meaningful therapeutic work. With the exception of the circumstances described below, you have the absolute right to confidentiality in your therapy. I cannot and will not disclose to anyone or any organization what you have told me, or that you are in therapy with me without your specific written consent.
If any of these situations arise, I will make every effort to discuss them with you before taking action. Despite this written summary of the exceptions to confidentiality, you may still have questions or concerns. Please discuss them with me.
These are the exceptions:
a. Insurance companies. If you choose to utilize your mental health benefits offered by your insurance company to help pay for your psychotherapy, I am required to provide information to the insurance company. That information includes a clinical diagnosis and possibly a treatment plan/update. I will make every effort to release only the minimum information that is necessary. This information will become part of the insurance company files and will probably be stored in a computer. I have no control over that the insurance company does with this information.
b. Self harm/injury. If a patient seriously 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. Texas law provides I may disclose confidential information only to medical or law enforcement personnel if I determine that there is a probability of imminent physical injury by the patient to the patient or to others, or there is a probability of immediate mental/emotional injury to the patient.
c. Minor/Elder/Disabled abuse or neglect. If I have cause to believe that a child under 18 has been or may be abused/neglected, or that a child is a victim of a sexual offense, or that an elderly or disabled person is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, the law requires that I make a report to the appropriate governmental agency. Once such a report is filed, I may be required to provide additional information.
d. Legal proceedings. If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request if made for information concerning your diagnosis and treatment, such information is protected by the psychologist patient privilege law. I cannot provide any information without your written authorization or a court order.
e. Public health. If a government agency is requesting information for health oversight activities, I may be required to provide such information.
f. Patient complaint. If a patient files a complaint or lawsuit against me, I may disclose relevant information regarding that patient in order to defend myself.
g. Worker’s compensation claim. If a patient files a worker’s compensation claim, I must, upon appropriate request, provide records relating to treatment for which compensation is being sought.
