Your confidentiality is vitally important to me. Everything you share with me, and even the fact that you are in therapy with me, is confidential. I am legally and ethically bound to honor your confidentiality, and will not release any information to another person without specific written authorization from you. There are some legal limits to your confidentiality, however. The law requires the following exceptions:
• If you express intent to physically harm yourself, I am bound by law to take appropriate action. This action may include contacting the police, family members, other professionals, or taking steps for you to be hospitalized in order to protect you from harm.
• If you express intent to physically endanger another human being, I am bound by law to contact that person to warn them of possible danger. (This law is known as “duty to warn.”)
• If I suspect a child, elderly person, or disabled person is being physically and/or sexually abused, I am required by law to file a report with a state agency.
• If you use confidentiality as a means of avoiding legal punishment, then the confidentiality privilege is waived. I may not aid or support the preparation of a crime.
• If your records are subpoenaed for a court case, you have the right to prevent me from providing any information about your treatment, but there are cases where this privilege is nullified. These cases are:
• Situations that involve child or elder abuse/neglect
• Child custody or adoption proceedings, where your fitness as a parent is questioned or in doubt
• Situations involving physical violence, with the exception of the “duty to warn.”
• Cases involving your emotional or mental condition
• A civil commitment hearing to decide whether you should be admitted to or continue to be treated in a psychiatric hospital
• Cases of malpractice or investigation of me
