Limits of Confidentiality
•All counseling activities, records, and forms of identification WILL BE kept strictly confidential. Counseling activities conform to state and federal laws; however, the following are limits to confidentiality that counselors in the State of Alabama must abide by as mandated by legal precedents:
1. If a client presents the potential to harm themselves;
2. If a client presents the potential to harm someone else;
3. If suspicion of abuse/neglect of a minor exists;
4. If suspicion of abuse/neglect of an elder exists;
5. Records will be released pursuant to a court order;
6. Records will be released to insurance carriers/EAP referral sources to secure payment; and,
7. Release any information after 90 days for a collection agency to secure payment or for a civil suit as deemed necessary.• Information shared by cell phone, fax or by email is NOT confidential because the technology is not confidential, and confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Land line telephones are relatively secure.
• All counseling services provided are HIPAA Security and Privacy Rule-compliant.