What are my rights to confidentiality?

Before you begin therapy the first thing we will discuss is confidentiality and the limits to confidentiality. I will require you to sign a confidentiality agreement before we proceed with therapy. This is to indicate that we both agree that we are aware of what will happen if you were to disclose information that I am mandated to report.

Client confidentiality is the requirement that I will, as a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), protect my clients' privacy by not revealing information regarding their therapy.

Confidentiality includes not just the contents of therapy, but often the fact that a client is in therapy. For example, I will not acknowledge clients if I run into them outside of therapy - not to be rude but rather in an effort to protect confidentiality.

There are "limits" to confidentiality though. That means that in certain situations I am required to disclose personal information without obtaining consent.

This includes when a client is a threat to them self or some one else, in which case I must follow through with my "duty to report" - that is to call 911.

Talking about suicidal thoughts is the right thing to do.

Survival forms the very foundation of therapy. When suicidal thoughts are disclosed it is important to me that I make every effort to encourage a person to commit to them self and to me that they will stay safe no matter what. That may mean coming up with a survival plan, calling a support person or agreeing to take them self to the hospital. If I cannot be assured of a person's ability to keep them self safe I will make every attempt to make the report as collaborative a I am able.

It is also mandatory that I make a report whenever there is actual or suspected child abuse (e.g., physical, sexual, neglect, emotional and psychological abuse). this report would be made to Family and Children's Services Niagara.

In Ontario, regulated health professions are governed under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and health profession Acts (i.e., Medicine Act, 1991). Health regulatory colleges are responsible for ensuring that regulated health professionals provide health services in a safe, professional and ethical manner. This includes, among other things, setting standards of practice for the profession and investigating complaints about members of the profession and, where appropriate, disciplining them.

Registered Psychotherapist s are compelled to file a mandatory report whenever we become aware of another regulated health professional sexually abusing a client, engaging in professional misconduct, display incompetence and/or incapacity.