Updated May 2024
CONFIDENTIALITY
The session content and all relevant materials to the client’s treatment will be held confidential unless theclient requests in writing to have all or portions of such content released to a specifically namedperson/persons. Limitations of such client held privilege of confidentiality exist and are itemized below:
- If a client threatens or attempts to commit suicide or otherwise conducts him/her/them self in a manner inwhich there is a substantial risk of incurring serious bodily harm.
- If a client threatens grave bodily harm or death to another person.
- If the therapist has a reasonable suspicion that a client or other named victim is the perpetrator, observerof, or actual victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse of children under the age of 18 years.
- Suspicions as stated above in the case of an elderly person who may be subjected to these abuses.
- Suspected neglect of the parties named in items #3 and # 4.
- If a court of law issues a legitimate subpoena for information stated on the subpoena.
- If a client is in therapy or being treated by order of a court of law, or if information is obtained for the purpose of rendering an expert’s report to an attorney.
Occasionally we may need to consult with other professionals in their areas of expertise in order to providethe best treatment for you. Information about you may be shared in this context without using your name.
If we see each other accidentally outside of the therapy office, we will not acknowledge you first. Your rightto privacy and confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us, and we do not wish to jeopardize yourprivacy. However, if you acknowledge your clinician first, we may be more than happy to speak briefly withyou, but feel it appropriate not to engage in any lengthy discussions in public or outside of the therapyoffice. When in doubt, check in with your clinician for the best course of action in the future.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATION
Due to the importance of your confidentiality and the importance of minimizing dual relationships, we donot accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking site(Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). We believe that adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of ourtherapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up when you meet with yourclinician and talk more about it.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
We cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media, includingtext messages. We can offer HIPAA complaint/protected communication through Simple Practicemessenger. If you prefer to communicate via email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling orcancellations, we will do so. While we may try to return messages in a timely manner, we cannot guaranteeimmediate response and request that you do not use these methods of communication to discusstherapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies. Please see the Contact and Crisis Policy formore detailed information.
Services by electronic means, including but not limited to telephone communication, the Internet, facsimilemachines, and e-mail is considered telemedicine by the State of Virginia. If you and your therapist chose touse information technology for some or all of your treatment, you need to understand that: (1) You retainthe option to withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting the right to future care ortreatment or risking the loss or withdrawal of any program benefits to which you would otherwise beentitled. (2) All existing confidentiality protections are equally applicable. (3) Your access to all medicalinformation transmitted during a telemedicine consultation is guaranteed, and copies of this informationare available for a reasonable fee. (4) Dissemination of any of your identifiable images or information fromthe telemedicine interaction to researchers or other entities shall not occur without your consent. (5) Thereare potential risks, consequences, and benefits of telemedicine. Potential benefits include, but are notlimited to improved communication capabilities, providing convenient access to up-to-date information,consultations, support, reduced costs, improved quality, change in the conditions of practice, improvedaccess to therapy, better continuity of care, and reduction of lost work time and travel costs. Effectivetherapy is often facilitated when the therapist gathers within a session or a series of sessions, a multitude ofobservations, information, and experiences about the client. Therapists may make clinical assessments,diagnosis, and interventions based not only on direct verbal or auditory communications, written reports,and third person consultations, but also from direct visual and olfactory observations, information, andexperiences. When using information technology in therapy services, potential risks include, but are notlimited to the therapist’s inability to make visual and olfactory observations of clinically or therapeuticallypotentially relevant issues such as: your physical condition including deformities, apparent height andweight, body type, attractiveness relative to social and cultural norms or standards, gait and motorcoordination, posture, work speed, any noteworthy mannerism or gestures, physical or medical conditionsincluding bruises or injuries, basic grooming and hygiene including appropriateness of dress, eye contact(including any changes in the previously listed issues), sex, chronological and apparent age, ethnicity, facialand body language, and congruence of language and facial or bodily expression. Potential consequencesthus include the therapist not being aware of what he or she would consider important information, thatyou may not recognize as significant to present verbally the therapist.
MINORS
If you are a minor, your parents may be legally entitled to some information about your therapy. We willdiscuss with you and your parents what information is appropriate for them to receive and which issues aremore appropriately kept confidential.