Communication between you and your counselor is noted and kept in a confidential file. Beyond the psychiatric consultations mentioned above, the confidentiality of the counseling relationship is carefully maintained. In general, and unless you sign a release form, the information in your file cannot be shared with anyone who is not directly involved in your treatment. In cases of couple or family counseling, all participants over the age of 18 must authorize this release. There is a reasonable copying charge for releasing information at your request.

All use, disclosure, and accessing of personal medical information is federally regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accounability Act (HIPAA). The packet of information you will receive at the start of counseling contains a Notice of Privacy Practices, which is a detailed summary of the provisions of this law. You are entitled to read it before signing any consent forms at PPI.

HIPPA does mandate some exceptions to absolute confidentiality. These include:

1. PPI’s right to use or disclose any medical information that is required for purposes of carrying out treatment and related health-care operations, and for obtaining payment for services.

2. The requirement that PPI counselors share with the proper authorities information regarding: reports or actions of suicidal or homicidal intent; evidence of child abuse; and situations of life-threatening medical emergency. In such instances, my consent is not required.

Beyond those restrictions stipulated in HIPPA, you may request additional restrictions on the use and disclosure of your medical information. PPI will cooperate as far as possible, but is not required to agree to such requests. Where there is agreement, however, the restriction will be binding on PPI.

Your counseling file and the information in it are the property of PPI; however, you have the right to review and discuss your file with your counselor, or to request a copy of it at a reasonable charge.