Privacy

Your privacy matters. It is important to me that you feel safe in our sessions, and know that you can speak freely about any issue. The law protects the relationship between a client and a counselor, and information cannot be disclosed without your written permission. I will neither confirm nor deny that you are a client of mine. I will not speak to friends or family members without your permission. As a rule, if I happen to see you in public, I will not approach you unless you talk to me first.

Exceptions Include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report 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 mental health practitioners by law in order to ensure their safety.
• The details of this policy are available at my office, and I will ask that you review and acknowledge my policies if we work together.