Your therapist will keep everything you say completely confidential, with the following exceptions:

(1) You direct your therapist to tell someone else and you sign a “Release of Information” form. This form is active for 1 year from the date of signature. You may revoke a release at any time, but protection from disclosure does not apply to information released prior to the date of revocation.

(2) You disclose an imminent plan or threat to harm yourself or someone else, the therapist must attempt to notify your family and notify legal authorities. 

(3) You report information about the physical or sexual abuse or neglect of a child, (or suspicion of such abuse), an elderly person, or a disabled individual who may require protection.

(4) Your therapist is ordered by a legitimate court order signed by a judge to disclose information. In the latter case, your therapist’s license does provide him or her with the ability to uphold what is legally termed “privileged communication.” Privileged communication is your right as a client to have a confidential relationship with a counselor. We will do everything in our power to keep what you say confidential. 

(5) Therapist must report any admitted prenatal exposure to controlled substances that could be harmful to the mother or the child.

(6) Insurance companies and other third-party payers are given information that they request regarding payment and services to the clients.