Professional ethics and Connecticut State Law specifies that communications to therapists are privileged and confidential and cannot be released or shared without the express, written consent of the client. This means that you control whether or not information gathered during the course of an evaluation or therapy is released to anyone else.

There are, however, a few situations where the law requires therapists to report certain information even if the client does not authorize the disclosure:

• In situations where abuse of a minor child is suspected, the therapist is required to notify the local Child Protective Agency and/or other law enforcement agencies. This includes emotional, verbal, physical or sexual abuse.

• Therapists are also required to warn any individual and/or authorities of seriously threatened harm that may be revealed during the course of therapy.

• Information will be disclosed following a court order.

• Also, the use of health insurance often includes authorization to release information necessary to process the claim.

• When I am away from the office for an extended time, I will have another mental health professional covering for my practice, and I may disclose some information to insure appropriate continuing care. That professional is also bound to rules of confidentiality.