Confidentiality and Privacy

Your privacy is an important part of psychotherapy.

Information discussed in therapy is generally kept confidential and is not disclosed to others without your authorization, except when disclosure is permitted or required by law.

As a HIPAA-covered provider, I maintain appropriate safeguards for protected health information (PHI) and use and disclose health information in accordance with applicable federal and New York law. HIPAA also gives clients certain rights concerning their health information, including rights to access their medical records and request corrections. Psychotherapy notes maintained separately from the medical record receive additional protection under HIPAA.

There are important exceptions to confidentiality. These may include:

Abuse or neglect: Disclosure may be required when applicable law requires reporting suspected child abuse or maltreatment or other forms of abuse or neglect covered by mandatory-reporting laws.

Serious and imminent threats to safety: If, based on professional judgment, I have a good-faith belief that disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or the health or safety of another person, I may disclose the minimum information reasonably necessary to people or authorities who may be able to prevent or lessen the threat. This can include emergency services, law enforcement, family members, or another appropriate person.

Court orders and other legal requirements: Information may be disclosed when required or permitted by applicable law, including in response to certain court orders, subpoenas, or other lawful processes.

Treatment and care coordination: With appropriate legal authority, relevant health information may be shared with other health-care providers involved in your treatment or care coordination.

Insurance and payment: Information necessary to obtain payment for services may be disclosed to your insurance company or other appropriate payer as permitted by law.

I will make reasonable efforts to discuss significant disclosures with you when doing so is clinically and legally appropriate. In an emergency or other situation where advance discussion is not possible or would increase risk, disclosure may occur without your prior permission.