Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychologist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
• When an evaluation is ordered by the court, confidentiality can be limited.  The purpose of the evaluation, limits of confidentiality, the results of the evaluation, and to whom the results will be shared is disclosed prior to the evaluation taking place, to the extent possible.  I will make every effort to maintain confidentiality regarding any information that does not bear directly upon the legal purpose of the evaluation.
• Even in non-forensic evaluations and psychotherapy, a court can subpoena records and I am bound by law to comply with a court subpoena.
• Minors have limited rights to confidentiality in that their parent or legal guardian may have access to their records.