The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. We will respect your confidentiality at all costs - almost. I consider myself to be a very ethical therapist and am aware of the extreme importance confidentiality holds. There are, however, some situations in which I need to disclose information about you:
Safety
I have an ethical and legal obligation to your safety and the safety of those in your world. Thus, if I genuinely assess you to be at risk of harming yourself or another, I will have to break your confidentiality and either involve other people in your immediate world and/or the police to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
Children
and Vulnerable Adults
I also have an ethical and legal obligation to the safety of children and vulnerable adults. If I assess that a child or adult is being hurt or neglected, then I will have to report to either the police or Child/Adult Protective Services.
Court
In most judicial proceedings, you have the right to prevent me from providing any information about your treatment. There are some circumstances, such as child custody proceedings and proceedings in which your emotional condition is an important element, in which a judge may order my testimony and/or records if she/he determines that the resolution of the issues before her/him warrants it.
Confidentiality
