Limits to Confidentiality. The law protects the privacy of all communications between a patient and a mental health provider. In most situations, we can only release information about your treatment or assessment to others if you sign a written Authorization. There are other situations that require only that you provide written, advance consent. Your signature on this agreement provides consent for those activities, as follows: • Clinical information about your case may be shared fully within WCU CMHS by the students enrolled in clinic practicum and staff/faculty for educational, evaluation and therapeutic purposes. If clinical staff present case information at professional conferences, the information will be disguised such that it is impossible to link the information to you or your family. • We employ administrative staff who have access to some of your protected information for both clinical and administrative purposes, such as scheduling, billing and quality assurance. All staff members have been given training about protecting your privacy and have agreed not to release any information outside of WCU CMHS. • On occasion, WCU CMHS may find it helpful to consult with another health or mental health professional. During such a consultation, every effort is made to avoid revealing the identity of the patient. The other professional is legally bound to keep the information confidential. All consultations are noted in the patient record. • If a patient seriously threatens to harm him/herself, we may be obligated to seek hospitalization for him/her, or to contact family members or others who can help provide protection. There are some situations where we are permitted or required to disclose information without your consent or authorization: • If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information concerning the professional services we provided to you, such information is protected by the psychologist-patient privilege law. We cannot provide any information without your written authorization, or a court order. If you are involved in or contemplating litigation, you should consult with your attorney to determine whether a court would be likely to order us to disclose information. • If a government agency is requesting the information for health oversight activities, we may be required to provide it for them. • If a patient files a complaint or lawsuit against WCU CMHS, we may disclose relevant information regarding that patient as part of our defense. • If we...
Limits to Confidentiality. We will not disclose your information to any third party without consent except where required by law, where failure to do so might result in serious injury or death of self or others, or where there is knowledge or suspicion of child abuse.
Limits to Confidentiality. All communications between therapist and client is held in strictest confidence unless: • The client (or legal guardian) authorizes release of information with a signature and waives this privilege. • The therapist is ordered by a court to release information (not a subpoena but a court order from a judge) • Dependent or elder abuse and/or neglect is suspected or revealed. • The client appears to pose a direct threat to themselves, or someone else’s life (ex. Actively suicidal or homicidal). • Patriot Act-in certain circumstances, the therapist may be required to provide records upon request to the FBI. • Insurance verification for medical necessity determination.
Limits to Confidentiality. There are situations where your clinician may be required or permitted to disclose information without your authorization. These situations are unusual at TRUE CONNECTIONS COUNSELING, PLLC. These include:
Limits to Confidentiality. The seminar instructor will attempt to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all participants. Any participants who are behaving in such a manner that threatens a safe and productive environment will be removed from the online session by seminar instructor and/or moderator(s). As a Registered Psychologist and regulated health professional in the province of Alberta, the seminar facilitator is ethically, legally, and professionally mandated to act on information/disclosures that imminently threaten the physical safety of participants. The seminar facilitator has a legal, ethical, and professional responsibility to report information to the appropriate person or authorities in the following instances:
Limits to Confidentiality. Case Consultation: I may consult with a supervisor or other professional therapist in order to give you the best service. In the event that I consult with another therapist, no identifying information such as your name would be released. Risk of harm to self or others: I am mandated to report abuse and neglect of any minor or elder. I will work with any necessary partners to ensure you or those around you are safe when posed with a credible threat. Court Order/Subpoena: If I receive a court order or subpoena, I may be required to release information. In such a case, I would release only what is necessary by law. Confidentiality and Technology Some clients may choose to use technology to communicate with their therapist including but not limited to telephone/voicemail, email, text, telehealth video sessions and appointment reminders. Due to the nature of technology, there is always the possibility that unauthorized persons may access your personal information. I will take every precaution to safeguard your information but cannot guarantee that unauthorized access to electronic communications could not occur. Please be advised as a client it is your responsibility as well to take precautions with regard to authorized and unauthorized access to any technology used. Be aware of any friends, family members, significant others or co-workers who may have access to your computer, phone or other technology used to communicate with me which may result in their ability to access your private health information.
Limits to Confidentiality. The administration of AGENCY will make every possible attempt to respect all clients’ confidentiality and individual freedom. However, AGENCY is required by law to report any instances of suspected abuse, neglect, suicidal tendencies, and expression of intent to do harm to the appropriate authorities in order to protect the safety of clients. __________ (Client Initials) Non-adherence to this Agreement will result in the immediate termination of all services. By signing below, both the client and AGENCY indicate that there has been a discussion of the confidentiality policy. The client has been given a copy of this document and both the client and the AGENCY pledge to honor the confidentiality policy. ___________________________________ ________________ Client Signature Date ___________________________________ ________________
Limits to Confidentiality. 4.1 The personal, legal and practical limits of confidentiality need to be discussed and clarified. In making an agreement the Client should be informed of circumstances in which there could be potential breaches in confidentiality. (See COSRT Practice Guideline 5: Confidentiality).
Limits to Confidentiality. Circumstances that may necessitate the disclosure of your personal information without your consent occur when:
Limits to Confidentiality. Based on the legal review conducted as part of preparation (Step 1.1), program staff must communicate any limits to confidentiality, such as mandatory reporting requirements, to each client before asking about violence. The staff should tell the client what acts require the staff to report information the client has shared and to whom the report would be made. [Program to include examples of situations that according to local laws must be reported, such as violence with a firearm or harm to minors or the elderly.]
