Confidentiality Notice

All of your information (including the fact that you are a patient, your diagnosis, what you discuss in session, etc.) will be protected according to the highest legal and ethical standards. We will not release information about you to anyone without your written consent.

You should know, however, that there are some legal limitations to confidentiality. According to Chapter 611 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and Chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code, your provider may be legally required to disclose confidential information without your consent in the following circumstances:

If your providers determine that there is a probability of imminent physical injury by you to yourself or others, or if there is a possibility of imminent mental or emotional injury to you, your provider may disclose relevant confidential information to appropriate authorities

If your provider has cause to believe that a child has been, or may be, abused or neglected, your provider must make a report of such to appropriate authorities.

If your provider has cause to believe that an elderly or disabled person has been, or may be, abused or neglected, your provider must make a report of such to appropriate authorities.

If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information about your diagnosis and treatment, such information is privileged under state law and will not be released without written consent from you or your legally-appointed representative, or a court order. You will be informed in advance if this is the case.

If a complaint is filed with your provider’s professional licensing board, they have the authority to subpoena confidential information from your provider relevant to that complaint.

It is noteworthy that the parent or legal guardian of a minor is responsible for acting in the best interest of the minor with regarding to releasing confidential information. The Texas Health and Safety Code specifies a few other judicial proceedings and situations in which confidential information can or must be released. Also, relevant information about you also may be released to your insurance company if you ask us to file on your behalf.

During your first session, your provider will review your rights to confidentiality as well as the limitations to confidentiality. We want to ensure that any questions or concerns you have about this important topic are addressed to your satisfaction. If you have additional questions or concerns about confidentiality during the course of treatment, we hope you will discuss them with your provider. This is an important part of your ongoing consent to treatment, and your provider will always be willing to talk with you about it.

Please know that you are free to talk with others about your treatment if you so desire. Although you are not legally required to maintain confidentiality, we ask you to respect the privacy and confidentiality of other patients you see in our office. The use of cameras or recording devices, including those found on cell phones, is prohibited in or around the facility.