Privacy & Policy

Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
• Court Order

Confidentiality as Related to Distance Counseling via Skype or Cell Phone

All distance counseling will be provided in a closed private space where the counselor is free from being over heard or interupted, just as would be the case in an office setting.

Skype Counseling is an online therapy process utilizing two way audio visual technology via computer. The client and therapist can see each other via the internet. Skype is a free download to your computer.

Licensed Therapist, when doing distance counseling, are bound by the same ethical and professional guidelines for confidentiallity as when you are in a face to face office setting.
Skype ensures confidentiality by encrypting communicated information. You may verify this by going to the skype website. Cell Phones sessions can not be guaranteed 100% confidential, and are subject to the encryption methods as dictated by carriers and areas from which and to which the call is made. All carriers of cell phone services have records of calls made. Doctors, attorneys, and other health care professionals use cell phones routinely to talk with clients or patients. Cell phones carriers take measures to insure the confidentuality of users; however, this protection is still vunerable to criminal "easedropping". I believe that in a world where many people no longer have land lines, each individual must weigh the risk of having a therapy session on a cell phone before they utilize and agree to this method of communication.

I am a member of both:
NBCC National Board of Certified Counselors
ACA American Counseling Association
AMHCA American Mental Health Counseling Association

I adhere to the codes of ethics of these organizations.