1. Limitations to confidentiality
Following my ethical code, all conversations between me and yourself (individual, parent or child) will remain confidential. There are however exceptions or limitations to confidentiality:
• If I have reasonable suspicion that a child is being neglected, physically abused, sexually abused, subjected to wilful cruelty or mental suffering, or exposed to domestic violence in the home, law requires me to report my suspicion to child protective services. The parents will be notified of this step. • If I feel that you may be in imminent danger of seriously physically harming yourself or you provide me with such indication, I may call the person whom you designate as your emergency contact, a family member, medical or emergency personnel. We will discuss these protective measures and sign an anti-suicide contract. I also expect that should you feel in imminent danger of harming yourself, before doing so, you will do everything you can to contact me and/or seek emergency psychiatric services at a local hospital. • If I receive credible information from you or anyone else leading me to believe that you could be a serious threat of physically harming an identifiable individual(s), I have a legal duty to warn and protect the identified person(s) by communicating the threat of harm to the person(s), to a local law enforcement agency, and/or to others who can assist in protecting the person(s). I also expect that should you feel in imminent danger of harming someone else, before doing so, you will do everything you can to contact me and/or seek emergency psychiatric services at a local hospital. • If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information about the professional services that I have provided you and/or the records thereof, such information is protected by psychologist-patient privilege law. I cannot give any information without your (or your legally-appointed representative’s) written authorization, a court order, or compulsory process (a subpoena). • In the event I become debilitated or deceased, a trusted colleague will have access to your records so that you can be contacted, informed of my status, offered support, and be provided with any proper referrals.
2. Confidentiality with minors
If I am seeing your child who is under the age of 18 on an on-going basis or within an assessment situation, then much of what he/she talks to me about is kept private between us except for the above exceptions whereupon I will have to let you know (i.e., parents/guardians) for help. Privacy in psychotherapy is often crucial to successful progress, particularly with teenagers, and parental involvement is also essential. During treatment I typically provide parents only with general information about the progress of the treatment and the child’s attendance at scheduled sessions. I may also speak to you about what your child has discussed with me if I feel that it would be essential for his/her welfare and would help the family situation. Any other communication will need the child’s authorization, unless I feel that the child is in danger or is a danger to someone else, in which case, I will notify the parents/guardians of my concern. Before giving parents any information, I will discuss the matter with the child, if possible, and do my best to handle any objections he/she may have.
3. Sharing information with third parties
During and after an assessment I might feel that it would be necessary to communicate with a third party (e.g. school, teacher or other professional). I would however have to obtain your written consent before I do this. The written report received after the completion of an assessment is also the exclusive property of the client and parents and if they wish to share the information with any other party it will be done at own discretion and risk. Written consent is also necessary when a request is made to send a report electronically (email or fax) by the client or parents.
4. POPIA consent
I also hereby give consent that my personal information provided by me in the submitted form with medical aid details, may be processed and stored in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act. I further give consent that this information (to the extent that it may be necessary) may be shared with my medical aid, the Healthcare professional's accounts department, other medical service providers and in the case of non-payment of my account, debt collectors and/or attorneys.
5. Parental consent minors
Please note that informed consent needs to be obtained from BOTH living biological parents/ legal guardians before services can be rendered to a minor. Please inform us should this not be possible.