Client Rights & Privacy Info
As a client of a Licensed Professional Counselor, you have the following rights:
To expect that a licensee has met the qualifications of training and experience required by state law
To examine public records maintained by the Board and to have the Board confirm licensure status
To obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics
To report complaints to the Board
To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services (Tirzah's Fees)
To be free from being the object of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or other unlawful category while receiving services
To be assured of privacy and confidentiality (HIPPA Info) while receiving services as defined by rule of law. The following information describes the only *exceptions* to confidentiality:
All licensed clinicians are ‘mandatory reporters’, and are required to inform the appropriate authority/person of known or suspected child or elder abuse, and/or the abuse of a person who is incapacitated in a way that prevents them from acting on their own behalf
All licensed clinicians are ‘mandatory reporters’, and are required to inform the appropriate authority/person of known or suspected imminent danger to self (i.e. client discloses plan for suicide) or danger or others (i.e. specific threats of harm/violence)
Providing information required in court proceedings (this information is provided only when it is requested in writing by a judge; a request from a lawyer is not adequate to disclose your protected information)
Providing the basic information needed to bill your insurance company. It will require a diagnosis code and dates of service. This information is what indicates ‘medical necessity’, and without it, your insurance company will deny claims and will not cover the cost of your appointments. They are also required to abide by strict confidentiality standards, and are not allowed to share this information
Providing information about a client, should a clinician need consultation with another clinician about a client’s care (any identifying information such as name, place of employment, etc, is not included in consultation)
A clinician defending themselves, if a formal complaint is made about that clinician
Download Informed Consent Form