Confidentiality

With the exception of certain specific exceptions described below, you have the absolute right to the confidentiality of your therapy. I cannot and will not tell anyone else what you have told me, or even that you are in therapy with me without your prior written permission.

However, as a clinician training toward an advanced license I will be consulting with my supervisor about my clients. During consultations, I make every effort to avoid revealing the identity of my clients. My consultant is also legally bound to keep the information confidential.

**If you elect to communicate with me by email, please be aware that email is not completely confidential. Any email I receive from you, and any responses that I send to you, will be printed out and kept in your treatment record.

The following are legal exceptions to your right to confidentiality.

I will inform you if I have to put these into effect.

1. If I have good reason to believe that you are abusing or neglecting a child, elderly person, or disabled person, or if you give me information about someone else who is doing this, I must inform Child Protective Services and/or Adult Protective Services.
2. If I determine that you are in imminent danger of harming yourself, I may legally break confidentiality. I would explore other options with you before I took this step. However, if I determine that you are unwilling to take steps to guarantee your safety, I must call the appropriate agency.
3. If I determine there is an imminent danger that you will cause physical injury to another person, I must attempt to inform that person and warn them of your intentions. I must also contact the police and ask them to protect your intended victim.
4. If I receive a valid court order, I am bound by law to comply with such requests.