CONFIDENTIALITY & YOUR CLIENT RIGHTS 

Your therapy sessions and their content are protected by law.  Without your written permission information can not be disclosed to another person or entity.  There are a few exceptions to this legal coverage and those are listed below:  
**Please note, these occasions are rare and will be discussed if possible should they arise**

MANDATED REPORTING SITUATIONS: 

• Suspected child abuse, elder abuse and/or a dependent adult abuse.  

• If an individual threatens the safety and/or life or threatens bodily harm to another person. I am required by law to notify the authorities and the possible victim.  

• If you intend to harm yourself I will work with you to find a safety plan that is agreeable to all parties.  In the event you are unable to make decisions for yourself due to mental instability I am required by law to take actions necessary to keep you safe.                                   

 

LEGAL SITUATIONS: 

• a court pursuant to an order of that court;

• a board, commission, or administrative agency for purposes of adjudication pursuant to its lawful authority;

• a party to a proceeding before a court or administrative agency pursuant to a subpoena (this section does not, however, address the applicability of the psychotherapistpatient privilege);

• an arbitrator or arbitration panel, when arbitration is lawfully requested by either party, pursuant to a subpoena (again note the applicability of the psychotherapistpatient privilege), or any other provision authorizing discovery in a proceeding before an arbitrator or arbitration panel;

• a search warrant lawfully issued to a governmental law enforcement agency;

• the patient or the patient's representative pursuant to a request for patient records in accordance with the Health and Safety Code;

• a coroner, when the patient is the decedent and is the subject of the investigation;

• or when otherwise specifically required by law 

 

 Source: http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx

 

Please also see this source for any other further information regarding when confidentiality may legally be breached. 

 

I am happy to discuss any concerns or questions you may have regarding this as well.