Client's Rights / Confidentiality

You have the right at any time to question and/or refuse therapeutic or diagnostic procedures or methods.

When working with children, it is essential that the child be able to trust his or her therapist. In that regard, we maintain the confidentiality of a child in the same way we keep the confidentiality of an adult. As the parent or guardian, however, you have the right and responsibility to question and understand the nature of our activities and progress with your child. We must use our clinical discretion as to what is an appropriate disclosure. In general, we will not release specific information that the child provides to us, with the exception of the conditions outlined at the end of this section. We will discuss with you your child's progress, your participation in treatment, and any information the child has requested we discuss.

Chapel Hill Pediatric Psychology, P.A., is a collaborative practice of professionals. To provide you with the best care possible, we consult with one another when clinically advisable. If your therapist is out of town or for some reason unavailable, it is important that the other professionals in the practice have access to relevant information in order to provide the best care possible for your family.

There are, however, certain exceptions to this rule:

a)    If a therapist suspects that child or elder abuse has occurred, the law requires that he/she report it to the authorities.

b)    If sexual exploitation by another therapist is reported, your therapist is required to notify appropriate person(s) or agencies.

c)    If a therapist believes that your child is a clear and imminent danger to self or to another, the therapist must intervene.

d)    If it becomes necessary to contact an attorney or a collection agency, then your name, identifying information about how to reach you, and amount owed become available to these agents.

e)    In legal proceedings, patient-therapist communications are typically privileged. The exception, however, occurs when we are ordered by the court to disclose information that the court feels is essential to the proper administration of justice.