Legal aspects of Confidentiality/Privacy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. However there are exceptions to this law.

Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse, dependent 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 a specified 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 to ensure their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission, provided to me by law, to ensure their safety.
• If I am served with a court ordered subpoena I may be legally ordered to share information.