Privacy Practices & Confidentiality

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California, I take your privacy and confidentiality seriously. The therapeutic relationship is built on trust, and protecting your personal information is a central part of the care I provide.

Confidentiality

Your sessions and the information you share with me are kept confidential in accordance with California law and professional ethics. This means I will not share your information with anyone without your written consent, except in specific legal or safety-related situations (outlined below).

Limits of Confidentiality

There are a few circumstances where I may be legally or ethically required to break confidentiality:

• If you are at risk of seriously harming yourself or someone else
  
  

• If I suspect child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse
  
  

• If your records are requested through a valid court order or subpoena
  
  

• If you disclose abuse by a licensed mental health professional
  
  

• In certain situations involving hospitalization or emergency care
  
  

Whenever possible, I will discuss these situations with you before sharing any information.

Telehealth & Electronic Communication

I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video therapy and take precautions to ensure your privacy when communicating online. If we communicate by email or text, please know that these methods may not be fully secure. I recommend using them only for scheduling or logistical matters, not for sharing sensitive information.

Record Keeping

I am required to maintain confidential clinical records of our sessions. These records are securely stored, either electronically with encryption or in locked physical storage. Records are typically retained for 7 years after the end of therapy or until a minor client turns 25, whichever is longer.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request a copy of your records
  

• Ask for corrections to your information
  

• Limit what information is shared
  

• Withdraw consent for sharing at any time (unless already acted upon)
  
  

If you are using insurance, certain information (such as a diagnosis or treatment plan) may be shared with your insurance provider as part of the billing process. I will only release what is required and with your consent.

Questions?

If you have any questions about how your information is handled or want more detail about your rights, feel free to reach out to me directly.