You have privileged communication under the laws of Washington.  That means, with some exceptions, anything you disclose in therapy and information I obtain about you from any source, even that you are a client, is confidential and can only be disclosed to others with your written authorization.  However, disclosure without your consent or authorization can be made, or may be required by state or federal law, if the disclosure is:

• • To a government agency or federal, state or law enforcement requesting information for health oversight activities or as required by law;
  • To proper authorities if there is reason to believe that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused or neglected, or if I feel you are of danger to yourself or others;
  • To the courts if under a valid subpoena or court order;
  • To licensing boards if I am under disciplinary investigation;
  • To the WA Department of Labor and Industries and your employer if the services I am providing are relevant to a worker’s compensation claim you have filed;
  • To public health care authorities for notifiable health conditions unless the condition notification has already been made;
  • To a health care provider or facility for the purpose of coordination of care.
  • To county coroner’s and medical examiners for the investigation of death.

Other Limits to Confidentiality: For both clinical and administrative purposes, such as scheduling, billing, and quality assurance, billing staff and administrative staff may have information about you.  I also may have contracts with professionals such as accountants, billing software vendors, computer technicians, or attorneys who may have information about you. If you request, I can provide you with the names of these individuals.  All are legally, contractually, and ethically bound to protect your confidentiality.

In the case of relationship or family therapy, or when multiple family members are seen by the same therapist, it is assumed confidentiality to be waived among participants unless other prior arrangements are made.

For more information on confidentiality, please see Agreement of Professional Services and Business Policies.