Limits of Confidentiality

Turning Point Counseling's

Confidentiality Policy
Please print, read, sign, and fax to 714-367-2171

Confidentiality and privileged communication remain the rights of all clients of professional counselors according to law. However, there are limits to such communication some of which are mandated by state law. It is very important that you and those seeking counseling with you carefully read and understand the following limits of confidentiality.

Duty to Warn

Some courts have held that if an individual intends to take harmful, dangerous, or criminal action against another human being, or against himself or herself, it is the counselor's duty to warn appropriate individuals of such intentions. Those warned may include a variety of persons such as:

1. The person or the family of the person who is likely to suffer the results of harmful behavior.

2. The family of the client who intends to harm him/herself or someone else.

3. Associates, friends of those threatened, or making threats.

4. Law enforcement and medical emergency officials.

Child Abuse

California state law mandates the reporting of incidence of suspected incidence of child abuse including physical abuse, sexual abuse, unlawful sexual intercourse, neglect, emotional and psychological abuse. All actual or suspected acts of child abuse will need to be reported to the appropriate agencies. (Article 2.5 Penal Code 11165 and 11166)

"Dependent Adult" and Elderly Abuse

California law requires the incidence of "dependent adult" or elderly physical abuse reported to your counselor must also be reported to California authorities. (Welfare and Institution Code, Sec. 15630)

Therapeutic Criminal Involvement

The State Law in the Evidence Code 1018 reads that "There is no privilege (confidentiality) under this article if the services of the psychotherapist were sought or obtained to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to commit a crime or a tort or to escape detection or apprehension after the commission of a crime or a tort." (Evidence Code 1024, 1965. Chp. 299)

Family and Couple Therapy

Family members and couples may be seen at limes individually or conjointly. Information shared during these sessions or in related settings (e.g. telephone calls) is considered part of the overall family or couple therapy process and is not confidential from the other participating family members or partners. Your therapist will use his or her discretion in handling these matters. This is simply our "no secrets" policy. It is important that you understand this policy before treatment begins. It supports our belief that healthy relationships are built on openness and truth.

Case Evaluation

In order to ensure the best treatment possible for each client, Turning Point Counseling staff does consult with each other regarding cases. This is traditional in both out‑patient and in-patient counseling facilities and is referred to as "case conference" or "peer review." If you have any concerns regarding this practice, please notify your therapist.

Neglect of Outstanding Debt

In the event that a client fails to honor, after reasonable efforts to collect; his/her debt, Turning Point Counseling may place the account in the hands of an agency or attorney for collection or legal action. This will necessitate the release of pertinent demographic information as well as accounting information. NO THERAPEUTIC INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED.

Please be sure that you have read the above very carefully. If you are not sure that you fully understand any of the above areas of confidentiality limitations, please ask your counselor before you sign below.

I/We the undersigned, have read and fully understand the limits of my/our confidentiality. I/We further agree to abide by the policy set out above. I/We have had a chance to ask my/our counselor for additional clarification regarding the limits of confidentiality.

Signature: ____________________ Date: _____________

© 2000 Turning Point Ministries, Inc. d.b.a Turning Point Counseling
14943 Desman Road. ‑ La Mirada‑ CA ‑ 90638‑ 800-998-6329