Clients Rights and Privacy Practices
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Notice of Privacy Practices: Your therapist is required by the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) to provide confidentiality for all medical/mental health records and other individually identifiable health information in our possession. This Notice is to inform you of the uses and disclosures of confidential information that may be made by your therapist at Joyful Restoration Wellness and of your individual rights and your therapist's legal duties with respect to confidential information. What you discuss in sessions is kept confidential between you and your therapist. No content of the sessions may be shared with another party without your written consent or the written consent of the parent/legal guardian of a minor. However, there are times when counselors are required, by law and professional ethics, to break confidentiality and file a report. Those exceptions are: - Texas state law requires licensed professional counselors who learn of, or strongly suspect, physical or sexual abuse or neglect of any person under 18 years of age to report this information to authorities. - Texas state law requires licensed professional counselors who learn of, or strongly suspect, physical or sexual abuse or neglect of an elderly person to report this information to authorities. - If there is evidence of the clear and imminent danger of harm to self and/or others, counselors may be legally required to report this information to the authorities responsible for ensuring safety. - Parents or legal guardians of non-emancipated minor clients have the right to access clients' records. - Counselors may be ordered by the court to disclose information. - If you or your child is involved in legal action/proceedings, your records may be subject to subpoena or lawful directive from a court. - You or your child discloses sexual contact with another mental health professional who has or is providing health care services to you or your child. Any other uses and disclosures will be made only with your written authorization. You will be provided with an authorization form upon request. A separate form will be needed for each request for the release of information. The authorization for release of records is valid for the lifetime of services or is revoked. You may revoke the authorization in writing. The therapist is required to honor and abide by that written request, except to the extent that we have already taken actions relying on your authorization.
Your Rights as a Client: You are hiring a counselor at Joyful Restoration Wellness; therefore, you have the right to be treated as a capable person, responsible for your own life, for the choices you make, and for your behaviors. You have the right to have your counselor be honest with you regarding the progress of your treatment. In addition, you have the right to terminate counseling services at any time during the course of treatment. It is important to note that the length of therapy can be challenging to predict. Some clients may need a couple of sessions, while other clients may require months or years of therapy sessions. Importantly, you have the right to receive ethically sound and professional services from your counselor. Your counselor aims to provide services in a professional and ethical manner within accepted legal standards. If you are ever dissatisfied with your therapy, please directly discuss these concerns with your counselor. If they are not able to resolve these issues you may report complaints to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors at: Complaints Management and Investigative Section P.O. Box 141369 Austin, Texas 78714-1369 Phone: 1-800-942-5540 Website: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/counselor/lpc_complaint.shtm
Your Rights as a Client: You are hiring a counselor at Joyful Restoration Wellness; therefore, you have the right to be treated as a capable person, responsible for your own life, for the choices you make, and for your behaviors. You have the right to have your counselor be honest with you regarding the progress of your treatment. In addition, you have the right to terminate counseling services at any time during the course of treatment. It is important to note that the length of therapy can be challenging to predict. Some clients may need a couple of sessions, while other clients may require months or years of therapy sessions. Importantly, you have the right to receive ethically sound and professional services from your counselor. Your counselor aims to provide services in a professional and ethical manner within accepted legal standards. If you are ever dissatisfied with your therapy, please directly discuss these concerns with your counselor. If they are not able to resolve these issues you may report complaints to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors at: Complaints Management and Investigative Section P.O. Box 141369 Austin, Texas 78714-1369 Phone: 1-800-942-5540 Website: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/counselor/lpc_complaint.shtm