Topic 6-Confidentiality .docx

**Confidentiality in Therapy 💼** **Definition** ***Confidentiality is both a legal and ethical requirement placed on therapists that restricts volunteering any kind of information about our clients obtained in the therapeutic relationship.*** **Importance of Confidentiality** - **Clients have...

**Confidentiality in Therapy 💼** **Definition** ***Confidentiality is both a legal and ethical requirement placed on therapists that restricts volunteering any kind of information about our clients obtained in the therapeutic relationship.*** **Importance of Confidentiality** - **Clients have a right to confidentiality, which is a critical piece of the therapeutic relationship that makes it safe.** - **Clients must know the limits of confidentiality.** **Limits of Confidentiality** **Mandated Situations to Break Confidentiality** **Situation** **Description** ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Child Abuse and Neglect** **Safety issue** **Elder and Dependent Abuse or Neglect** **Safety issue** **Danger to Others** **Safety issue** **Client Signs a Release** **Allows sharing of information with a third party (e.g., psychiatrist)** **Court Order** **Includes subpoena by the court or judge-ordered subpoena** **Investigation by the Board or Commission** **E.g., investigation for ethical violation** **Search Warrant** **Issued for the therapist\'s office** **Coroner\'s Investigation** **Access to client records after death** **Formal Request for Records** **From a client or their representative** **Patriot Act** **Ordered to share records** **Allowed Situations to Break Confidentiality** - **If a client is a potential danger to self (e.g., suicidal), the therapist may break confidentiality as part of a necessary clinical intervention.** - **Examples: initiating an involuntary hospitalization, notifying parents of a suicidal student** - **When a therapist needs to communicate with other providers for diagnosis or treatment in a crisis situation.** - **Examples: sharing information with a psychiatric hospital, discussing medication or diagnosis** - **In situations where payment responsibility is being determined.** - **Examples: sharing diagnostic code and frequency of contacts with insurance companies** - **During insurance quality control or utilization reviews.** - **Examples: audits to ensure treatment standards are met** - **If a crime is committed against the therapist.** - **Examples: reporting a client\'s name to the police if they commit a crime against the therapist** **Importance of Discretion** ***As a therapist, breaking confidentiality isn\'t only about not sharing intimate information, but also about not acknowledging whether someone is even a client of yours.\#\# Confidentiality 💡*** **Confidentiality is the obligation of a therapist to protect the privacy of their client\'s information.** **Exceptions to Confidentiality** **There are certain situations where a therapist may need to break confidentiality:** - **Past crimes: If a client reveals past crimes, the therapist must maintain confidentiality unless the crimes were committed against a protected class (child, dependent adult, or elder).** - **Deceased clients: If a client dies, the therapist must maintain confidentiality unless they have an authorization from the personal representative of the deceased client**