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There are some situations in which I am legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm, even if I have to reveal some information about a client’s treatment.  For example, if I believe that a child [elderly person or disabled person] is being abused or has been abused, I am required to make a report to the appropriate state agency. 

If I believe that a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another, I am required to take protective actions.  These actions may include notifying the potential victim, contacting the police, or seeking hospitalization for the client.  If the client threatens to harm himself/herself, I may be obligated to seek hospitalization for him/her or to contact family members or others who can help provide protection. 

 

Confidentiality cannot be maintained when:

 

• An individual tells me they plan to cause serious harm or death to themselves, and I believe they have the intent and ability to carry out this threat in the very near future.  I must take steps to inform an emergency contact or others of what the individual has told me and how serious I believe this threat to be and to try to prevent the occurrence of such harm.

• An individual tells me they plan to cause serious harm or death to someone else, and I believe they have the intent and ability to carry out this threat in the very near future.  In this situation, I must inform an emergency contact or others, and I may be required to inform the person who is the target of the threatened harm, and the police.

• Individuals are doing things that could cause serious harm to them or someone else, even if they do not intend to harm themselves or another person.  In these situations, I will need to use my professional judgment to decide whether an emergency contact should be informed.

• An individual tells me, or I otherwise learn that, it appears that a child is being neglected or abused--physically, sexually or emotionally--or that it appears that they have been neglected or abused in the past.  In this situation, I am required by law to report the alleged abuse to the appropriate state child-protective agency.

• I am ordered by a court to disclose information. 

If there are any further questions about confidentiality please see my informed consent.