Confidentiality and Privacy

Confidentiality and privacy are integral to therapy and are some of your most important rights as a client. Confidentiality allows you to share your most personal thoughts without any fear of them being shared. As a therapist, I do take part in peer supervision, and certain clients are discussed to gain greater insight to get help with challenging situations or cases. During such discussions the anonymity and confidentiality of the client are always preserved

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist I am legally obliged to break confidentiality and report the following situations to the appropriate parties without your permission or consent:

• If you threaten grave bodily harm or death to another person, I am required to inform the intended victim(s) and appropriate law enforcement agencies.

• If you indicate a clear and present danger to yourself and refuse to accept appropriate treatment, I am required to inform your family, agencies, or other individuals who, in my opinion, would assist in protecting your safety.

• If a court of law issues a subpoena, I am required to provide the information specifically requested in that subpoena.

• If you are in therapy, or are being tested by court order, that information may be revealed to the court.

• Any form of abuse of children or the elderly must be reported to the proper authorities.

In terms of privacy outside of my office, I generally abide by the policy that if we are to come into contact I will not initiate conversation or acknowledge you or your family. If you choose to greet me then I will partake in conversation accordingly but the policy is in place to respect your privacy across all environments.