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Frequently Asked Questions Is everything I say to a clinician confidential? (The following explanation applies to Illinois law in 2004 and may be similar to the confidentiality rules in other states. If you wish a complete explanation of the rules in another state, please contact that state's psychological association.) You have a right to confidentiality, although there are some limitations. When you first visit your psychologist at Hoover and Associates you will receive a printed document that explains confidentiality and its limits in detail. We understand that most people who come to us would like to have even that fact that they are coming to treatment be a private matter. In general, you must be asked to give your permission to have any information about the services you receive, or the fact that you receive services communicated to anyone. You will be asked to give consent to the transmission of that information and have a right to know what is being communicated unless you waive that right. However, in some situations the psychologist may be required to provide information even if you do not consent, in order to protect you or someone else. The most common of these include: if you state an intention to harm yourself or someone else or are abusing a child or vulnerable elderly or disabled person. Additionally, if you are involved in a court case and your mental state is being considered, the information about the services you receive might be ordered by a judge to be reviewed and made available if the judge deems it relevant. If you are between the ages of 12 and 18, you have a right to confidentiality, even from your parents in most circumstances for the first seven sessions although you may wish your psychologist to keep your parents informed while letting you know what is being communicated to your parents. |