Privacy Policy

Confidentiality is one of the most important components of the client/counselor relationship. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter, usually not discussed anywhere but the counselor’s office. Every counselor should provide a written copy of his or her confidential disclosure agreement (called “Informed Consent”), and you can expect what you discuss in sessions will not be shared with anyone.

Sometimes, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your physician, naturopath, attorney, etc.). By law, your counselor cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

Exceptions to this are noted below:

• If child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse is suspected, the counselor is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person(s), the counselor must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself, the therapist will make every effort to enlist the client’s cooperation to ensure his or her safety. If they do not cooperate, the therapist will take further measures, provided by law and not requiring the client’s permission, to ensure the client’s safety.