• Patients 13 years of age and older have a right to refuse treatment.

• Patients have the right to change providers or receive a referral to another provider.

• Patients have a right to ask questions concerning the findings of their evaluation, and the right to raise questions about the provider, the treatment approach, and progress made at any time.

In general, the confidentiality of all communications between a patient and a psychologist is protected by law, and I can only release information about our work to others with written permission. However, there are several exceptions:

Minors

If you are under 18 years of age, please be aware that the law provides your parents with the right to examine your treatment records. If I feel there is high risk that you will seriously harm yourself or others, I will notify them of my concern. Before giving information, I will discuss the matter with you and will do the best that I can to resolve any objections that you might have about the information I am about to discuss.

Harm to Self and Others

I am legally required to take action to prevent others from harm, even though that requires revealing some information about a client’s treatment.

• If I suspect a child is being abused, I must file with the appropriate agency.

• If I believe that a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another, I am required by law to take protective action, which may include notifying the potential victim, notifying the police, or seeking the appropriate hospital treatment.

• If a client threatens to harm him or herself, I may be required to seek hospitalization for the client or contact family members or others who can provide protection.

• These situations rarely arise in my practice. Should they occur, I will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking action.