What are my rights as a client?
You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
You have the right to receive individualized treatment, including a verbal discussion of our treatment plan and goals.
You have the right to know the cost of the services that I offer to you.
You have the right to ask questions at any time about the therapeutic process and interventions used in our sessions.
You have the right to terminate therapy. If you decide to do so, I request that you discuss your desire to terminate with me in person so that we can discuss your experience and formally end our work together.
You have the right not to receive psychotherapy from me. If you wish, I will provide you with the names of other qualified professionals.
What about my privacy?
You have the right to have the information that you share with me remain confidential. Under most circumstances, the information that you provide about yourself during the counseling process (including your identity as a client) remains confidential and is released to other parties only with your expressed verbal or written consent. The laws of the State of Texas provide for the disclosure of this confidential information to others without your consent in some very specific circumstances. These situations include the following:
- If you are under 18, your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) may have access to your records and may authorize their release to other parties.
- If you are determined to be in imminent danger of harming yourself or someone else.
- If you disclose the abuse or neglect of children, the elderly, or disabled persons.
- To qualified personnel for specific program audits or evaluations.
- To individuals, corporations, or governmental agencies involved in paying or collecting fees for services.
- If a court subpoenas me to testify about you.
- In legal or regulatory actions against a professional.
- In proceedings in which a claim is made about one’s physical, emotional, or mental condition.
- When disclosure is relevant to any suit affecting the parent-child relationship. This includes divorce and child custody deliberations.
- When otherwise legally required.
Prior to therapy you will be asked to complete an Informed Consent for Treatment and HIPPA form (PDF) as mandated by state law.