The Therapy Process
Working with you to identify presenting issues and develop a plan of care is the goal. However, it is your commitment to identifying personal goals towards which you desire to move and obstacles which may prevent that movement which will, in large part, determine the success of the therapy. If you have a crisis situation develop after hours, call the suicide prevention hotline at (800) 784-2433 or go to your local emergency room.
The privacy regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) require ethical and legal commitment to the confidentiality of your Personal Health Information.
Use and Disclosure of Your Personal Health Information (PHI)
Your PHI will not be used or disclosed for any purpose not listed below, without your specific written authorization. You must give written authorization to disclose your health information to anyone for any reason you want. Any specific written authorization you provide may be revoked at any time by your written request.
· As Law Requires - Your PHI may be used and disclosed to any person required by federal, state, or local laws to have lawful access to your treatment program.
· Court Orders, Judicial and Administrative Proceedings, and Law Enforcement - Your PHI may be disclosed as part of a court proceeding, in response to a subpoena, or in other situations as required by law.
· Appointment Reminders - You may be contacted by phone or email for an appointment reminder. If contact is by phone, a recorded message may be left on your answering machine.
· Therapist Cancellation – If for some reason an appointment must be cancelled, you will be contacted by phone or email. If contact is by phone, a recorded message may be left on your answering machine/voicemail.
· Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence - Your PHI may be used or disclosed to authorized persons from state agencies in cases of disclosures required by applicable state laws governing abuse, neglect, criminal activities, threats to the health/safety of the client and others, domestic violence, etc. In the case of minor children, the law requires such information to be disclosed.
· Event of an Emergency - Your PHI may be disclosed to a family member, a person responsible for your care, or your personal representative in the event of an emergency. If you are present in such a case, you will be given an opportunity to object. If you object or are not present or are incapable of responding, your PHI will be used or disclosed in your best interest at that time. In so doing, only the aspects of your PHI that are necessary for response to the emergency will be used or disclosed.