privacy
As a licensed mental health provider I am required by law to protect the privacy of your information. Per Federal laws of confidentiality, Virginia law and the Virginia Department of Health Professions, Board of Social, confidentiality and privilege communication remain rights of all people involved in counseling. As a rule, I will not disclose any information about you, or the fact that you are my client, without your written consent. You have the right to revoke your consent (Release of Information) form, in writing, at any time.
Duty to Warn: However, I am mandated by law to use or disclose protected health information if an individual (involved in the counseling process) indicates that he/she intends to take harmful, dangerous or criminal action against another human. I am legally required to warn appropriate individuals and the proper authorities of such intentions.
Suicide: In cases in which the client discloses or implies a plan for suicide, I am mandated to notify legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to secure the safety of the client.
Child Abuse: Additionally, any suspicion of child abuse (physical, sexual, neglect) in any form must be reported to the proper authorities.
Individuals warned may include one or more of the following: The person or the family of the person who is likely to suffer the results of harmful behavior; the family of the person who intends to harm himself or someone else; Associates or friends of those threatened or making threats; Law enforcement officials; Child Protective Services.
Before informing anyone, who should be warned, I will take all possible steps to first share that intention with the client. Every effort will be made to resolve the issue with the client to prevent the need for this type of intervention.
These are other examples, which are not exhaustive, of other uses and disclosures of protected health information; when the client is a minor (the parents are entitled to know the condition, diagnosis, and progress of therapy); If the client is or becomes a “vulnerable adult”; If the client releases information with a written authorization; If a judge court orders your records; When consultation or supervision with another mental health professional is desired in order to provide the best possible therapy. Such discussions will, of course, remain private within the consultation or supervisory relationship.
Ethical Considerations: The disclosure of secrets related to marital infidelity is expected in the marriage counseling process. Otherwise it would be unethical for me to maintain any such secrets.