CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality is something that you are entitled to as a counseling client and it is important to know that you have a safe place to share what you want to share. Without this safety measure, it can be more difficult to process and work through the challenges you face.
There are occasionally exceptions to confidentially, but these exceptions are under very specific circumstances. Who you are, your name, your demographics and all information associated with your past, present and future health and more is protected by law. However, certain exceptions are also written into the same rules. These rules and laws are called "HIPAA," which stands for "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996."
Your protected health information (PHI for short) and the exceptions to it are clearly established under HIPAA. All healthcare providers are subject to it, including your therapist.
Here are links with more detail about it, some specific to the state of Connecticut.
CT State Department of Public Health
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
The information here on my website is for general information. This webpage does not replace the content found on the state or federal websites regarding HIPAA.
If you decide to receive counseling, you will be given detailed information concerning the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule and the topic of confidentiality will be discussed between you and I.
Exceptions to your confidential information are:
when a client in writing asks a therapist to share information from a session or sessions with others. When a client requests this, a release form is signed by the client authorizing communications between the counselor and the person with whom the client wants the counselor to speak with.
when a client shares information with their counselor that there is a threat to harm themselves.
when a client shares information that there is a threat to harm another person (no matter who that person is).
when a court of law orders it.
when a client shares their own therapy information to a medical provider in a medical emergency.
when a client is involved in research, audit or an evaluation of a program.
This is a very brief, general list of exceptions and this webpage provides only very basic information on HIPAA.
It is important for you to know your rights as a client when it comes to your health and your health information.
Kindly read this information directly from the State website of Connecticut, and from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the most up-to-date information.