All information about you is kept confidential to protect your privacy. I adhere to the Health Information Privacy Act (HIPPA) guidelines and hold confidentiality and privacy at the highest regard. Written authorization from you is needed before any release of information takes place, except in the following situations dictated by State Laws and professional codes of ethics:
- If you are at imminent risk of harming yourself or others I am ethically bound to do whatever is necessary to protect human life, including temporarily breaking confidentiality and warning a party of danger.
- I am mandated by Vermont Law to report actual or suspected physical or sexual abuse involving children, the disabled and the elderly.
- While in most situations the law protects confidentiality, I may be required to comply with a court-ordered subpoena or provide records.
- Parents of minor children have a right to review records (in most circumstances).
- Your insurance company may require either written or telephone treatment reviews by their clinical personnel to authorize benefits or services.
- I participate in regular supervision to help ensure quality and skilled work on my behalf. Supervision sessions are confidential.