Therapy with Amy E. Brown
Confidentiality is essential to successful therapy.
I am morally, ethically, and legally obligated to maintain strict confidentiality of client information. Without written consent, I cannot release any information about clients, including their presence in therapy.
However, all therapists are legally mandated to make sure clients and others are safe.
There are a few very specific safety exceptions to confidentiality laws.
Please see my practice guidelines and HIPAA form for more information about confidentiality in therapy.
Therapists and clients share responsibility for the therapeutic relationship and work together to help clients achieve progress and meet their goals.
Therapists’ responsibilities include:
- Provide a quiet, clean, private space for sessions
- Arrive on time and prepared for the session
- Remain focused on the client’s goals and wishes
- Provide honest, objective, and respectful feedback
- Provide attentive, empathic, and non-judgmental listening
- Maintain professional boundaries
- Maintain confidentiality
- Inform clients if anyone contacts the therapist about the client
- Make referrals to other professionals as appropriate
- Seek supervision as appropriate
- Discuss discharge planning with the client and schedule closure session(s)
- Collect payment in a timely manner
Clients’ responsibilities include:
- Attend sessions as scheduled
- Arrive on time and prepared for session
- Complete any therapeutic homework
- Provide as much notice as possible if unable to attend a scheduled appointment
- Respect the professional boundaries of the relationship
- Provide accurate and honest information
- Maintain an active role in the therapeutic process
- Provide feedback about what’s helpful/not helpful in sessions
- Participate in discharge planning and attend scheduled closure sessions
- Make payment in a timely manner