Confidentiality & Limits of Confidentiality

Confidentiality in Therapy

Your therapist will make every effort to protect the privacy of your personal information and maintain confidentiality within the limits of applicable federal and state laws, professional ethical standards, and clinical responsibilities.

Information discussed during therapy may include thoughts, feelings, experiences, relationships, mental health concerns, treatment goals, and other personal information. This information will remain private unless:

• You provide written authorization allowing information to be shared.
• Disclosure is required or permitted under applicable laws.

Limits of Confidentiality

Although confidentiality is a fundamental part of psychotherapy, there are certain circumstances where your therapist may be required or permitted to disclose information without your written permission.

Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation Reporting

Your therapist may be required by law to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving:

• Children
• Older adults
• Individuals with disabilities or vulnerable adults

Court Orders and Legal Requirements

Your therapist may be required to disclose information if compelled by a valid court order or other legal requirement.

Safety Concerns

If your therapist believes that you may be at risk of seriously harming yourself or another person, your therapist may need to take appropriate steps to help protect your safety or the safety of others.

These steps may include seeking additional support, consulting with appropriate individuals, or making disclosures as permitted or required by law.

Virginia Law and Confidentiality

HEAL CCC follows applicable federal and Virginia laws regarding the privacy and confidentiality of mental health services. Virginia law recognizes the importance of protecting confidential communications between clients and mental health providers while also identifying specific situations where information may be disclosed when required or permitted by law.

These circumstances may include situations involving safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, legal requirements, or other legally authorized disclosures. For additional information regarding Virginia laws related to confidentiality and mental health provider responsibilities, you may review the following resources:

• 
  Virginia Code § 54.1-2400.1 — Mental Health Service Providers; Duty to Protect Third Parties
  
• 
  Virginia Administrative Code 12VAC35-115-80 — Confidentiality
  

If you have questions about how Virginia law applies to your specific situation, please discuss your concerns with your therapist.

Professional Consultation

To provide quality care, therapists may occasionally consult with other qualified professionals regarding clinical questions, treatment planning, or best practices.

When consultation occurs, your therapist will make every reasonable effort to protect your privacy and avoid sharing information that could identify you whenever possible.

Insurance and Release of Information

If you choose to use insurance benefits for psychotherapy services, HEAL CCC may be required to provide certain clinical information to your insurance company for purposes related to your benefits and coverage. This may include information needed for:

• Verification of insurance benefits
• Authorization of services
• Claims processing
• Review of medical necessity

Information shared with insurance companies is limited to what is necessary to support coverage and payment for services. For additional information regarding insurance-related privacy considerations, please review our: Fees, Insurance, & Financial Responsibility Policy

Your Questions and Concerns Matter

If you have questions or concerns about confidentiality, privacy, or situations where information may need to be shared, please bring them to your therapist’s attention. Understanding how your information is protected is an important part of establishing trust and making informed decisions about your care.