People
seeking psychological treatment often have questions about the
confidentiality of therapy services and professional records.
Within the purview of the Florida Public Records Law (119 F.S.)
the Clinic staff will safeguard your confidentiality and your
relationship with the Clinic will not be revealed to anyone
without your prior written consent. However, under certain conditions,
the Clinic is legally and ethically obligated to release information
about a client whether or not the client approves. These conditions
are:
1. Suspected abuse
(physical, sexual, or neglect) of children, the aged, and the
disabled: As psychologists, we are required by law to report
suspected abuse to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
2. Potential homicide
or suicide: In instances where a client threatens homicide we
may have to notify the intended victim and police. Likewise,
if a client is thought to be at high risk for suicide, family
and/or authorities may need to be notified in order to protect
the client.
3. Court-order: We
must release a client's records if a judge issues a court order
compelling us to do so.
If confidentiality
is broken or your records released because of any of the above
three reasons, you will be notified.
Both the law and
the standards of our profession require that we keep appropriate
treatment records. At the FSU Psychology Clinic, brief written
progress notes and typewritten reports are kept in locked file
cabinets. We are required by Florida law to keep your records
for a period of 7 years.
You have the right
to have access to your records. Because these records contain
information which can be misinterpreted by someone who is not
a mental health professional, it is the policy of FSU Psychology
Clinic that your therapist review your records with you. If
your therapist is no longer at the FSU Psychology Clinic when
you request your records, another therapist will be available
to discuss them with you. We do not release records directly
to the client. We are always willing to release your records
to another mental health professional with your written permission,
once you know what they contain.
Confidentiality
for Child/Adolescent Clients:
If you are seeking
therapy or assessment for your child or adolescent, you can
expect to discuss how confidentiality policies apply with your
child’s therapist. Typically, there will be some degree
of communication between the legal guardian(s) and the child/adolescent
being treated. These issues can be discussed and handled on
a case-by-case basis by all involved parties at the beginning
of therapy.
Confidentiality
for Court-Order Treatment Cases:
Different confidentiality
policies apply with persons court-ordered for therapy, as there
is typically communication between the therapist and other agency
or court personnel (e.g., parole officer or Department of Children
& Families case manager). Court-ordered cases are required
to sign a Release of Information Form upon application for services,
giving us permission to communicate with appropriate agency
or court personnel. However, the nature of the information released
will be discussed with the client at the beginning of therapy.
