Confidentiality
Psychotherapy is intended to be a safe and confidential process. As a general rule all communication between us is confidential and any records that relate to the provision of psychological services to you are also confidential. Your information may not be disclosed without your explicit verbal or written consent, with the following legally mandated or legally permitted exceptions.
Limitations to Confidentiality
Harm to you or others
If I have a reasonable suspicion that you, or another person, may be at risk of harm, a report has to be filed with the appropriate authority. Where appropriate I may also contact the other person/s involved and/or your nominated emergency contact. Risk of harm may include, but is not limited to: Suicide, parasuicide, homicide, significant bodily harm as well as the abuse of or harm done to a child or vulnerable adult.
Court Order
If a court orders the disclosure of your records, I am legally required to provide the information requested. If you anticipate becoming involved in a court case, I require that we fully discuss this before we proceed with therapy.
Medical Schemes
Accounts that are submitted to a medical aid must include a diagnosis, indicated with an ICD-10 code. Without this code your medical aid has the right to refuse payment. The ICD-10 Code (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems - 10th Revision) can easily be looked up on various internet sites and I recommend that you treat your account as confidential and not share it with anyone with whom you would not like to share diagnostic information. Furthermore, medical schemes may, at their discretion, request additional information regarding your diagnosis or treatment. I will only release such information with your consent.
Debt Collection
Should you default on payment, credit-related information concerning you may be disclosed to a credit bureau or attorney. The documents handed over are: A copy of this contract, your account (excluding the ICD-10 Code) and a summary of the practice’s attempts to effect payment. The practice reserves the right notify your medical aid if they have paid you for a claim without the account in turn being settled with the practice.