Notice of Privacy Practices and Consent to Treatment
New federal regulations, "HIPAA", require all healthcare providers to provide patients with a written notice about their privacy practices. Because of the confidential nature of the therapeutic relationship, the privacy of your mental health information is especially important to us.
A therapist's notes are kept confidential by the therapist and will not be revealed to others without a written consent from you. This includes communication with other professionals outside of our agency, insurance companies, your family and friends.
There are, however, a few exceptions noted below. They are as follows:
1. The therapist is required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
2. If you tell a therapist that you intend to harm another person, the therapist must try to protect that person. This may involve telling that person, another healthcare provider or the police. Similarly, if you threaten to harm yourself, the therapist will try to protect you by telling others, your relatives, other healthcare providers, or the police who can assist and protecting you.
3. If you are involved in certain court proceedings, the therapist may be required by law to reveal information about your treatment. The situations include child custody disputes, cases were therapy patients psychological condition is an issue, lawsuits or formal complaints against the therapist, civil commitment hearings and court ordered treatment.
4. If your health insurance or managed-care plan will be reimbursing you are paying the therapist directly, the insurance plan will require that you wave confidentiality so that the therapist can provide information about your treatment.
5. CCC Counseling Services protects your confidentiality in other ways as well. Therapists will at times seek consultation from other therapists. Patients identities are not disclosed during the consultation process.
6. Some of the therapists are in supervision at CCC Counseling Services. Supervision enables the therapist to gain knowledge and insight from senior, licensed mental health professionals to assure that treatment proceeds as effectively as possible. Supervisors may read and sign treatment plans, annual treatment reports, including summaries and reports. I understand that I have the right to request the name of my therapist supervisor and how to contact him/her directly. CCC Counseling Services administrative staff also adhere to the privacy standards of HIPAA.
In all of these situations, please understand that your therapist will try to discuss the specific situation with you before any confidential information is revealed and will reveal only the last least amount of information that is necessary.
During your initial appointment, you will tell the therapist where he/she may reach you and whether or not it is all right to leave a message for you at home or at work. The therapist will never state that he or she is from CCC Counseling Services.