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Statement of Confidentiality
A confidentiality statement in therapy is a formal declaration that outlines the therapist’s commitment to maintaining the privacy of a client’s information. It explains the ethical and legal obligations of confidentiality, the limitations of confidentiality, and how client information is protected. This statement is typically included in the informed consent process and is provided to clients at the beginning of therapy. Once you have completed the consultation and intake process, if you have any questions about confidentiality, I will gladly discuss them with you.
The purpose of this confidentiality statement is to enhance the therapeutic relationship by ensuring and allowing you to understand the boundaries of information that you can comfortably and confidentially share in therapy. It reassures clients that their personal disclosures will remain private, fostering a safe and open therapeutic environment. It informs clients about the therapist’s duty to maintain confidentiality in accordance with professional ethical codes and legal requirements. It outlines specific situations where confidentiality may be legally or ethically breached.
Confidentiality means that I have a responsibility to safeguard the information obtained during counseling. All identifying information about your assessment and treatment is kept confidential, except as mandated by law. You must sign a release of information before any information about you is given to anyone, except as mandated by law, which is outlined further below.
Any communication or discussion between us is confidential. This means that I will not discuss your case orally or in writing without your expressed written permission. All interactions which take place in the setting of therapy are considered confidential. This includes requests by telephone, all interactions with me, any scheduling or appointment notes, all session content records and any progress notes that I take during your sessions.
I will not verify that you are a client. I prefer not to leave messages on my client’s voicemail. You may choose to give me permission in writing to release any or specific information about you to any person or agency that you designate. The law protects the privacy of communication between us. In most situations, I can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written Authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPPA.
I may occasionally find it helpful to consult with other health and mental health professionals about a case. During such consultation, I make every effort to avoid revealing the identity of you, the client. The other professionals are also legally bound to keep any information shared confidential.
I work with other mental health professionals in the same building and I may eventually employ administrative staff. I may need to share protected information with individuals for both clinical and administrative purposes, such as scheduling, billing and quality assurance. All mental health professionals are bound by the same rules of confidentiality.
All staff members have been given training about protecting your privacy and have agreed not to release any information outside of the practice without the permission of a professional staff member. Any staff I assign work to will need to sign a business associate agreement. Disclosures may be required by health insurers or to financial services companies to collect overdue fees.
Your records are securely stored and protected in accordance with professional and legal standards. Electronic communication (e.g., emails, texts, telehealth) is safeguarded with encryption and secure platforms, but complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in digital communication. I follow all applicable privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and relevant state regulations.
Limits of Confidentiality
Confidentiality is extremely important to our counseling relationship. What we discuss in therapy will not be passed on. However, there are circumstances in which I have an ethical and legal obligation to break confidentiality.
These circumstances include:
If there is a reason to believe there is an occurrence of child, elder, or dependent adult abuse or neglect; including being impaired while caring for a child or vulnerable adult. If there is reason to believe that you have furnished alcohol or drugs to a minor, or are using them while pregnant. If there is reason to believe that you have serious intent to end your life, and/or if you intend to harm yourself, someone else, or property by a violent act you may commit. If you disclose that you knowingly develop, duplicate, print, download, stream, or access through any electronic or digital media or exchanges, a film, photograph, or video in which a child is engaged in an act of sexual conduct. If you introduce your emotional condition into a legal proceeding. If there is a court order for release of your records.
I may also be permitted or required to disclose information without your consent or authorization for the following situations: If a client files a worker’s compensation claim, and therapist is providing treatment related to the claim, therapist must, upon appropriate request, furnish copies of all medical reports and bills. If there is a government agency requesting the information for health oversight activities, your therapist may be required to provide it to them. If a client files a complaint or lawsuit against the therapist, they may disclose relevant information regarding that client in order to defend themselves.