CLIENT RIGHTS AND DATA PRIVACY INFORMATION
Processus, P.A. is a clinic staffed by individuals with training in social work, psychiatry, and psychology. We are committed to providing quality counseling and mental health care. Effective therapy requires a working partnership between client and therapist. In order to engage in such a partnership, you need to know about your rights and responsibilities as a client and guidelines for data privacy. You can request a copy of The Notice of Privacy Policies or read the copy in our watiing room.
Privacy and Mandated Reporting
As a general rule, all information relating to your use of Processus' services is private and will not be released without your written consent. The exceptions to this are as follows.
a) when the mental health professional determines that disclosure is necessary to protect against a clear risk of serious harm being inflicted by the client, upon the client, or by another person;
b) when evidence suggests that abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult has occurred; it is required by state law that such evidence be reported to local law enforcement and/or social service agencies;
c) a mental health professional may release private information in order to comply with a court order or to conform with state or federal law;
d) parents have a right to information about the treatment process of their children who are under 18 years of age; however, minors have the right to request in writing that specific information not be shared with a parent or guardian. In this situation, the therapist decides whether or not to comply with the minor's request taking into account factors such as safety, the minor's circumstances and needs, and parent/guardian needs;
e) if we are unable to collect for services rendered or generate an agreeable payment plan, Processus may submit your bill to a collection agency; in our experience this is an extremely unusual circumstance.
As a part of clinical practice, therapists have the right and an obligation to consult and receive supervisory assistance regarding their work with clients. The purpose of such consultation is to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. In consultation, clinical staff take care to ensure that the client's identity is protected and that any information conveyed to another mental health professional will be kept private.
Videotaping, audio taping and consultative observation of sessions from behind one-way mirrors are all helpful tools in therapy, and if your therapist wishes to use any of them, s/he will ask you to sign a consent form for this purpose. Your sessions will not be videotaped, audio taped or observed by other professionals unless you choose for this to occur and give written consent.
