Confidentiality is a cornerstone that differentiates the therapist patient relationship from many other professional relationships, it also has a myriad of exceptions, both mandatory and permissive, which therapists must be equipped to navigate. Show
by Bonnie R. Benitez, JD Updated by Sara Jasper, JD An overarching principle in psychotherapy is the need for and requirement of confidentiality. Confidentiality is also a rather complex rule, with several exceptions, nuances, and both legal and ethical implications. Confidentiality is defined as a restriction on the volunteering of information outside of the courtroom setting, not to be confused with the concept of psychotherapist-patient privilege. These terms are not synonymous. They apply in different circumstances and are addressed in separate sections of law. The psychotherapistpatient privilege affords the holder of the privilege (usually the patient) the right to withhold testimony (your testimony) in a court of law. The psychotherapist-patient privilege arises from the special relationship therapists have with their patients. It is an exception to the general rule that requires testimony from witnesses who are subpoenaed to provide such testimony. Privilege involves a separate and distinct set of rules that will not be addressed in this article. Confidentiality is both a legal and an ethical issue. Generally, therapists are prohibited from disclosing confidential communications to any third party, unless mandated or permitted by law to do so. Typically, therapists should err on the side of being overly cautious, protecting the confidentiality of patients, unless faced with a mandatory exception to confidentiality such as reporting child, elder or dependent adult abuse. Because mandatory reporting is designed to encourage such reports, therapists are well advised to err on the side of reporting in uncertain circumstances. Legal Requirements One of the key sections, specifically pertaining to MFTs, is Business and Professions Code 4982(m), which defines as unprofessional conduct the "failure to maintain confidentiality, except as otherwise required or permitted by law, of all information that has been received from a client in confidence during the course of treatment and all information about the client which is obtained from tests or other means." Engaging in unprofessional conduct may result in disciplinary action against one's license, and possible criminal penalties as specified in Business and Professions Code 4983, which reads: "any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), or by both." Ethical Standards 1. Responsibility to Patients 1.4.2 When therapy occurs by electronic means, marriage and family therapists inform patients of the potential risks,consequences, and benefits, including but not limited to, issues of confidentiality, clinical limitations, transmission difficulties, and ability to respond to emergencies. 2. Confidentiality 2.1 Marriage and family therapists do not disclose patient confidences, including the names or identities of their patients, to anyone except a) as mandated by law b) as permitted by law c) when the marriage and family therapist is a defendant in a civil, criminal or disciplinary action arising from the therapy (in which case patient confidences may only be disclosed in the course of that action), or d) if there is an authorization previously obtained in writing, and then such information may only be revealed in accordance with the terms of the authorization. 2.2 When there is a request for information related to any aspect of psychotherapy or treatment, each member of the unit receiving such therapeutic treatment must sign an authorization before a marriage and family therapist will disclose information received from any member of the treatment unit. 2.3 Marriage and family therapists are aware of the possible adverse effects of technological changes with respect to the dissemination of patient information, and take care when disclosing such information. Marriage and family therapists are also aware of the limitations regarding confidential transmission by Internet or electronic media and take care when transmitting or receiving such information via these mediums. 2.4 Marriage and family therapists store, transfer, transmit, and/or dispose of patient records in ways that protect confidentiality. 2.5 Marriage and family therapists take appropriate steps to ensure, insofar as possible, that the confidentiality of patients is maintained by their employees, supervisees, assistants and volunteers. 2.6 Marriage and family therapists use clinical materials in teaching, writing, and public presentations only if a written authorization has been previously obtained in accordance with 2.1 d, or when appropriate steps have been taken to protect patient identity. 2.7 Marriage and family therapists, when working with a group, educate the group regarding the importance of maintaining confidentiality, and are encouraged to obtain written agreement from group participants to respect the confidentiality of other members of the group. Clearly the ethical standards provide considerably more guidance to practitioners than the law. But many ambiguities still remain, particularly when working with minors, families or groups. Additionally, there are many exceptions to confidentiality, both mandatory and permissive, which must be both comprehensively understood and carefully navigated by the prudent therapist. Mandatory Exceptions To Confidentiality Mandatory Reporting When faced with a child, elder or dependent adult abuse reporting situation, it is important to keep in mind that these laws provide for an exception to what would have been confidential. Mandatory reporting laws specifically define the abuse that must be reported, prescribe the timing and method of such reporting, the immunities that come with reporting and penalties for the failure to report. Mandatory reporting requirements do not create a license for therapists to disclose confidential information in a manner that exceeds the bounds of the reporting requirements themselves. In other words, once a mandatory report has been made to the appropriate authorities, that information, and any previous or subsequent information not subject to a mandatory report, remains confidential. Tarasoff and the "Duty to Protect" Therapists have a duty to warn when a patient communicates to the therapist a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim or victims. If there is a duty to warn, under the limited circumstances specified above, the duty shall be discharged by the therapist making reasonable efforts to communicate the threat to the victim or victims and to a law enforcement agency. Once a therapist makes such a warning, Civil Code 43.92 provides immunity from any liability that may arise should the patient carry out his/her threat. In addition to the immunity from liability, 43.92 also makes clear that therapists are not expected to predict the violent behavior of their patients. If, however, the therapist fails to warn when such a threat has been made, he/she may be liable not only for the harm that befalls the intended victim or victims, but also to other reasonably foreseeable victims who may be injured if the threat is carried out. It is important to note that no such duty exists when a non-patient makes the threat, or when the patient is the target of a threat. In addition, the duty to warn does not exist when the patient is threatening suicide. However, under 1024 of the Evidence Code, the therapist is permitted to breach confidentiality if the therapist believes it is necessary to prevent the threatened danger. Lesser-Known Mandatory Exceptions
The Patriot Act of 2001 In 1978, Congress, through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), created the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to supervise FBI surveillance in foreign intelligence investigations. The FISC hears FBI applications for orders and warrants, including Section 215 orders. Under FISA, the FBI was required to make an application to the FISA Court for an order requiring documents for an investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities. Unfortunately, the FISA Court meets in secret, rarely published its decisions and allows only the government to appear before it. Section 215 of the Patriot Act amends FISA in several ways, and creates an ethical quandary for therapists in that those who are ordered to turn over records or other "tangible things" are prohibited from mentioning to anyone else that the FBI sought the information. In another circumstance, a therapist faced with a subpoena for patient records, for example, would first contact the patient to determine whether the psychotherapist-patient privilege is being asserted or waived. However, such an option is not available under the Patriot Act. A therapist faced with a Section 215 order would be in violation of federal law, and possibly subject to legal action, if he/she discloses to anyone that the FBI has sought or obtained what would otherwise be confidential patient information. Clearly such a situation would interfere with the therapeutic alliance. Third-party interference in the therapeutic relationship would normally be addressed in treatment. However, a therapist who has complied with a Section 215 order may find him/herself in a conflicted role, unable to process the very nature of the conflict with anyone, especially the patient. One could argue that such a circumstance would create an unethical dual relationship, or other conflict of interest, which may require the therapist to prematurely terminate treatment, without the ability to process the reasons for the termination with the patient. Therapists are not alone in their concerns about Section 215 orders. Any person or entity can be served with a Section 215 order. However, therapists have unique relationships with their patients, which may be permanently damaged by gag provisions of the Act. If you are concerned about the implications of the Patriot Act, contact your Congressman to express your concerns, or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) at www.aclu.org to find out what you can do to help. Permissive Exceptions to Confidentiality Civil Code 56.10(c) contains a list of circumstances in which therapists and other providers of health care may disclose confidential information, including, but not limited to disclosures made to another provider of health care for purposes of diagnosis and treatment of the patient, billing or administrative services for providers of health care, to the county coroner's office during the course of an investigation, for review by any private or public body responsible for licensing or accrediting the provider of health care and to an insurer, employer, health care service plan, hospital service plan, employee benefit plan, governmental authority, or any other person or entity responsible for paying for health care services rendered to the patient, to the extent necessary to allow responsibility for payment to be determined and payment to be made. Unfortunately, due to legislation in 1999, any disclosure made in accordance with this section must also comply with 56.104, which prohibits therapists, and others, from releasing any information that specifically relates to the patient's participation in outpatient treatment with a psychotherapist, unless the person or entity requesting that information submits to the patient, and to the provider of health care, a written request, signed by the person requesting the information or an authorized agent of the entity requesting the information, that includes specified information, including:
While such a written request might seem to be protective of patient privacy, 56.104 requires that such a request be sent to the patient within 30 days of receiving the information, thus turning the "request" into a notification after the fact. CAMFT has been working to restore the ability of therapists to communicate with other health care providers without the written authorization of the patient. However, until such a change in law is achieved (which may occur this year), therapists are advised to obtain written authorization prior to releasing any patient information to another health care provider, or anyone else, in accordance with the permissive exceptions outlined in 56.10(c). Evidence Code 1024 provides an exception to the psychotherapist-patient privilege and confidentiality in circumstances in which a patient is in such mental or emotional condition so as to be dangerous to him/herself, others, or another's property only when such a disclosure is necessary to prevent the threatened danger. For example, this section would apply in situations where a patient is threatening suicide and the therapist determines that informing a loved one of the patient is necessary to keep the patient from doing him/herself harm. Penal Code 11166.05 is contained in the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and provides for the permissive reporting of mental suffering of a child, or circumstances in which a child's emotional wellbeing is endangered. Confidentiality and Group Therapy Confidentiality and Conjoint Therapy - "No Secrets" Confidentiality and Third Parties Who Attend Therapy Confidentiality and Minors Conclusion This article appeared in the July/August 2004 issue of The Therapist, the publication of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, headquartered in San Diego, California. This article is intended to provide guidelines for addressing difficult legal dilemmas. It is not intended to address every situation that could potentially arise, nor is it intended to be a substitute for independent legal advice or consultation. When using such information as a guide, be aware that laws, regulations and technical standards change over time, and thus one should verify and update any references or information contained herein. Which terms refers to the fact that the therapist Cannot disclose private communications to any third party unless mandated or permitted by law to do so?Client confidentiality is the requirement that therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and most other mental health professionals protect their client's privacy by not revealing the contents of therapy.
What has over 85% of the 1669 federally designated mental health?More than 85% of the 1,669 federally designated mental health professional shortage areas are rural and typically lack even a single professional working in the mental health disciplines. It has been extraordinarily difficult to recruit, train, and retain mental health professionals in rural areas.
What term is used when an individual has two or more diagnoses which often includes a substance related diagnosis and another psychiatric diagnosis?Saying a person has comorbid disorders means the individual has two or more diagnoses. This can often be a substance-related diagnosis and another psychiatric diagnosis, such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
What is the emphasis in humanistic therapy?The humanistic therapist focuses on helping people free themselves from disabling assumptions and attitudes so they can live fuller lives. The therapist emphasizes growth and self-actualization rather than curing diseases or alleviating disorders.
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