Privacy & Policy

Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a mental health provider, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.  However, there are some circumstances where I may disclose protected health information (PHI) without your consent or authorization. 

Exceptions include:

• Child Abuse: If I have cause to believe that a child has been, or may be, abused, neglected, or sexually abused, I must make a report of such within 48 hours to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, the Texas Youth Commission, or to any local or state law enforcement agency. 
• Adult and Domestic Abuse: If I have cause to believe that an elderly or disabled person is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, I must immediately report such to the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. 
  
• Health Oversight: If a complaint is filed against me with the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (If I am psychologist) or State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (if I am a counselor), they have the authority to subpoena confidential mental health information from me relevant to that complaint. 
• Judicial or Administrative Proceedings: If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information about your diagnosis and treatment and the records therof, such information is privileged under state law, and I will not release information, without written authorization from you or your personal or legally appointed representative, or a court order. The privilege does not apply when you are being evaluated for a third party or where the evaluation is court ordered. You will be informed in advance if this is the case. 
• Serious Threat to Health or Safety: If I determine that there is a probability of imminent physical injury by you to yourself or others, or there is a probability of immediate mental or emotional injury to you, I may disclose relevant confidential mental health information to medical or law enforcement personnel.
• Worker’s Compensation: If you file a worker’s compensation claim, I may disclose records relating to your diagnosis and treatment to your employer’s insurance carrier. 

There may be additional disclosures of PHI that I am required or permitted by law to make without your consent or authorization, however the disclosures listed above are the most common.