What does confidentiality mean in the context of therapy?

All interactions with us including scheduling of appointments, your records, content of your sessions, and progress in counseling, are kept confidential within our office. On occasion, we may consult with another therapist in order to provide you with the best service possible. If we do so, such consulting clinicians will be bound by the same confidentiality agreement and will not be provided with any identifying information.

Under certain circumstances, we may be required to share confidential information under legal mandate. These circumstances are outlined below:

• Imminent risk of harm: When there is reason to believe that a client may be at imminent risk of harming him/herself/themselves, others, and/or property, I have the legal and ethical option to warn appropriate authorities.

• Cases of abuse and neglect: When there is reason to believe that a minor, elderly person, or a person with a disability is in danger of being, or has been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused or neglected, I am obliged by law to report the information to the appropriate authorities.

• Orders from Courts of Law & Criminal Proceedings: When a court of law orders a therapist to release information, the therapist must comply with such an order. Confidentiality does not extend to criminal proceedings in Texas, so that if a client is presently, or will later become, involved in a criminal lawsuit, the client’s file may be opened for court inspection.

• Inappropriate behavior by previous therapist: If a client discloses that a previous therapist behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner, then I am legally bound to report it to the District Attorney’s office as well as to the appropriate state licensing board. The client’s identity need not be disclosed if he/she/ze does not wish it.

Additionally, clients can give written consent for us to provide information to others (e.g. psychiatrists, doctors, case workers, etc.) in an effort to coordinate treatment.

What are my rights as a client regarding my protected health information?

You have the following rights with respect to your protected health information, which you can exercise by presenting a written request to the Privacy Officer:

• The right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information, including those related to disclosures to family members, close personal friends, or any other person identified by you. I am, however, not required to agree to a requested restriction. If I do agree to a restriction, I must abide by it unless you agree in writing to remove it.

• The right to inspect your health records and to request a copy of these records.

• The right to amend your protected health information.

• The right to receive an accounting of disclosures of protected health information.

• The right to obtain a paper copy of this notice from me upon request.

• The right to restrict disclosures of protected health information to health plans and insurance companies if you are paying out of pocket for your services in full.

• The right to be notified if you are affected by a breach of unsecured protected health information.

What is the federal “No Surprise Act”, and what does that have to do with therapy?

Under Section 2799B-6 of the federal Public Health Service Act, also called the “No Surprises Act,” you have a right to receive a “good faith estimate” explaining how much your therapy services will cost. For more information about the Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call the federal Health & Human Services Department at 1-800-958-3059.