Discussions between a therapist and a client are confidential. No information will be released without the client’s written consent unless mandated by law. Possible exceptions to confidentiality include but are not limited to the following situations: child abuse; abuse of the elderly or disabled; abuse of patients in mental health facilities; sexual exploitation; AIDS/HIV infection and possible transmission; criminal prosecutions; child custody cases, lawsuits in which the mental health of a party is in issue; situations where the therapist has a duty to disclose, or where, in the therapist’s judgment, it is necessary to warn, notify, or disclose; fee disputes between therapist and the client; a negligence suit brought by the client against the therapist; or the filing of a complaint with a licensing board or other state or federal regulatory authority.
If you have any questions regarding confidentiality, you should bring them to the attention of the therapist when you and the therapist discuss this matter further. By signing the Receipt form for the Informed Consent and Privacy Practices, you are giving your consent to the therapist to share confidential information with all persons mandated by law, with the agency that referred you, and the managed care company and/or insurance carrier responsible for providing your mental health care services and payment for those services. You are also releasing and holding harmless the therapist from any departure from your right of confidentiality that may result.