I may use or disclose PHI (protected health information) for purposes outside of treatment, payment, or health care operations with your authorization. In those instances when we are asked for information for purposes outside of treatment, payment or health care operations, we will obtain an authorization from you before releasing this information. We also need to obtain an authorization before releasing your Psychotherapy Notes. “Psychotherapy Notes” are notes that some providers choose to make about conversations during a private, group, joint, or family counseling session, which are kept separate from the rest of your record. These notes include recordings and transcripts of any therapy sessions. These notes are given a greater degree of protection that PHI. You may revoke al such authorization (of PHIS or Psychotherapy Notes) at any time, provided each revocation is in writing. You may not revoke an authorization to the extent that (1) we have taken some action in reliance on that authorization; or (2) if the authorization was obtained as a condition of obtaining insurance coverage, as applicable state and federal law provides the insurer the right to contest the claim under the policy.

We may use your disclose PHI without your consent or authorization in the following circumstances:

Child Abuse – If we have reasonable cause to believe a child known to us in our professional capacity may be an abused child or a neglected child, we must report this belief to the appropriate authorities.

Adult and Domestic Abuse – If we have reason to believe that an individual protected by state law has been abuse, neglected, or financially exploited, we must report this belief to the appropriate authorities.

Worker’s Compensation – We may disclose protected health information regarding you as authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with laws retaining to worker’s compensation or similar programs, established by law, that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness without regard to fault.

Judicial and Administrative Proceedings – If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information by any party about your evaluation, diagnosis and treatment and the records thereof, such information is privileged under state law, and we must not release such information without a court order. We can release the information directly to you on your request. Information about all other psychological services is also privileged and cannot be released without your authorization or a court order. The privilege does not apply when you are being evaluated for a third party or where the evaluation is pursuant to court order. You will be informed in advance if this is the case.

Serious Threat to Health or Safety – If you communicate to us a specific threats of imminent harm against another individual or if we believe that there is clear, imminent risk of physical or mental injury being inflicted against another individual, we may make disclosures that we believe are necessary to protect that individual from harm. If we believe that you present and imminent, serious risk of physical or mental injury or death to yourself, we may make disclosure we consider necessary to protect you from harm.

I have read and understand the above HIPPA guidelines.