Confidentiality & Privacy Policy
As a provider of counseling services, contfidentiality and discretion are built into my professional code of ethics. As a practitioner in a small town, it is absolutely vital that you understand I will honor your confidentiality and I will not identify you as a client of mine or as someone who recieves counseling services. The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without your written permission. This means that if we were to work together, the content of our sessions and all identifying information will be kept secure and absolutely confidential. If you wish and sign a release of information, I am willing to communicate with your doctor or others with whom open communication could be of help to you. There are, however, a few rare circumstances in which I am legally and ethically required to break confidentiality.
Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.