Confidentiality & Privacy Policy
With a few legal exceptions described below, any and all information regarding your treatment, including the fact that you are in therapy, is confidential and will not be released to anyone without your written consent. The following are the legal exceptions to your right to confidentiality:
- If I have reason to believe that you are in imminent danger of harming yourself or another person, necessary action must be taken to prevent harm, including - but not limited to - informing friends or family members, contacting police or other officials, or contacting a county designated mental health professional.
- If I have a reasonable suspicion, based on information you provide, that a child, vulnerable adult, or developmentally disabled person is being abused or neglected, I must inform the appropriate state protective services. In the case of possible child neglect or abuse, I must inform Child Protective Services. If you reveal that you were abused as a child and the abuser still has access to other children, I must also inform Child Protective Services.
- If ordered by a court of law to release your records, I must comply with their request.
- Under the Uniform Health Care Information Act of 1992, I do not require written consent to confer with current, prior, or future health care providers for purposes of continuity of care, or to confer with a member of your immediate family. My policy is to do so only in the event of an emergency.
- The competent and ethical practice of psychology requires that I consult periodically with other licensed mental health professionals. Should I consult with a colleague, I will omit any extraneous identifying information so that your anonymity is carefully preserved.
Client Rights
As a client receiving the services of a licensed psychologist, you have the following rights:
- To choose a therapist you feel is a good fit for you
- To have access to your treatment records and to request a copy of those records or to see correction of those records
- To ask questions about your therapy
- To refuse any course of treatment suggested by me
- To terminate therapy or transfer care to another therapist at any time, without penalty
- To request and receive information about my training, qualifications, and treatment philosophy, as well as an explanation of the fees for services you are receiving
- To request in writing that no treatment records be maintained
- To release information from your treatment records to another entity, provided you sign a release of information
- To discuss your treatment with anyone you choose
Termination of Treatment
My goal is to make therapeutic closure hopeful and positive. I support your right to end your treatment whenever you choose. Discussions about termination have many benefits. Often the last few weeks of therapy are quite productive, as loose ends are tied up. And if you are feeling frustrated with the process of therapy, discussing this feeling can often lead to substantial progress, or an informed referral to another professional who may be more helpful to you.
Cancellations and Missed Appointments
When you make an appointment with a psychologist, you are reserving that time for yourself. I will make every effort to schedule a time that will be convenient for your schedule. If you cancel an appointment with more than 24 hours notice, this provides me time to fill the space, and you will not be charged. However, if you cancel an appointment with less than 24 hours notice, you will be responsible for paying for the missed appointment at our next session. Similarly, if you miss your session entirely, you will still be responsible for paying for the time, and payment will be due in full at the beginning of the next session. Finally, please note that appointments that start late will - on most occasions - end on time.
