Client Rights/Confidentiality/Privileged Communication:
As a client involved in a counseling relationship you have certain rights. You have the right to an explanation of the therapies and procedures used in treatment, the right to refuse and terminate counseling at any time, the right to referral should you choose to seek counseling elsewhere, and the right to have all information concerning you and your sessions kept confidential.
You should be aware that there are some limitations to your confidentiality rights. We will keep confidential anything you say to me with the exception of the following:
- As mental health internship students, we are required to discuss our clients with our supervisor.
This information is for your protection.
- If we determine that you may be in danger to yourself or to others.
- If you direct us (by written consent) to release information concerning you or your sessions to someone else.
- If we are ordered to disclose information by a court of law.
- We have reasonable grounds to suspect abuse of a child, elderly individual (65 or older), or dependent adult.
- Child custody cases may lead to court-ordered release of information without your consent.
When counselors are working with couples, families, or groups, they cannot disclose any information outside
the treatment context without written authorization from all individuals competent to sign such authorization. (Example: We cannot release any information about either or both spouses we have seen for marital therapy to an attorney without a signed release from both spouses.
When counselors are working with a family or couples, information shared in individual sessions where other family members are not present must be held in confidence (except for the mandated exceptions noted above) unless all individuals involved sign releases at the outset of therapy. Clients may refuse to sign such a waiver but should be advised that maintaining confidentiality for individual sessions during a couple or family therapy may impede or even prevent a positive outcome to therapy. If an impasse results from such confidentiality, referral to another therapist might result.
It is our policy to assert privileged communication on behalf of the client and the right to consult with the client, if at all possible, except in an emergency, before mandated disclosure. |
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