As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, the laws of the State of California consider me to be a mandated reporter. That means I am required by law to break confidence to (1) report suspected child abuse, dependent adult abuse, and elder abuse; and (2) to report threats of harm towards others. The law also permits me to break confidence to provide for your safety -- for example, in the event you become suicidal.
With
those exceptions, unless otherwise required by law (ex. court order, Patriot Act, etc.), I will
safeguard the confidentiality of our work together and will not release information about your therapy, including whether or not you are a client, unless you
specifically instruct me, in writing, to disclose that information.
In
coaching engagements, while I will do my best to adhere to these same standards of
confidentiality that apply to me as a therapist, it is important for you to know that are no privacy protections for coach/client relationships that resemble the privilege to protect certain communications that exist in therapist/client relationships, attorney/client relationships, and doctor/patient relationships. Also, in situations where your coaching services have
been procured for you by a third-party stakeholder (like your employer), some disclosures
may be required as a condition of the coaching agreement.
We will
discuss the limits of confidentiality at our first meeting so you will
can be an informed consumer of the services I offer and so you can determine whether your privacy will be protected to your
satisfaction.
Client Rights ...
- You have the right to receive respectful treatment which will be helpful to you.
- You are entitled to a safe environment, free from sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
- You may always refuse to answer questions and refuse to disclose information you choose not to discuss.
- You
are entitled to know the limits of confidentiality and the
circumstances when I am required to disclose information to others.
- You have the right to ask questions about your therapy/coaching.
- You have the right to discontinue therapy/coaching when you choose.
*** Back to FAQs ***