What Do I Need to Know About Privacy and Confidentiality?

Having a safe, private space to talk about very personal feelings and problems is one of the main reasons people go to a professional therapist. Mental health A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. professionals are required by laws and their professional codes of ethics to protect your information and maintain confidentiality Intended to be kept secret. . However, there are three exceptions Something that does not follow a rule. that you should know about:

1. The mental health A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. professional may share information without your consent Give permission for something to happen. in order to protect you or someone else from serious harm. For example, if you are threatening your own life or the life of another person.
   
    
2. Mental health A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. professionals must report abuse Violent treatment of a person. or neglect Failing to take care of something properly. . Some examples include: A person neglecting Failing to take care of something properly. the physical needs of their child, someone taking financial advantage of their elderly parents, or a caregiver who is physically abusing a disabled person they care for. In these cases, the therapist must report this to the appropriate authorities. If you are an adult and tell your therapist that you were abused as a child, the therapist may need to disclose this if the abuser is likely to harm other children. If the person who abused you is no longer able to harm children this may not be necessary.
   
    
3. Your mental health A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. provider may have to release information if your mental health A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. is an issue in a court proceeding, or if they receive a court order to provide records.

There may be other circumstances in which your mental health A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. professional may share information. For example: If you use insurance to pay for your care, some limited information (like diagnosis) may be provided to the insurance company for payment purposes. Or, you may be asked to give your mental health A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. provider permission to talk to another professional (like your primary care doctor) so they can coordinate with one another. If you are under the age of 18 your rights are somewhat different from the laws for adults. Your rights as a parent depend on the age of your child and the circumstances that brought them to therapy.

Your therapist should answer any questions you have about privacy and confidentiality Intended to be kept secret. during your first meeting. To learn more about the laws that protect your privacy, check out some of the resources Materials to help someone. below:

• Disability Rights California: Confidentiality of Mental Health Records/Information
• Consent and Confidentiality Laws for Minors in California
• Understanding Confidentiality and Minor Consent in California