The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychologist, and information cannot be disclosed without your written permission.
The law also sets limits to confidentiality, these include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim/s.
- If a client intends to harm himself/ herself, I will make every effort to enlist his/her cooperation in ensuring his/her safety. If he/she does not cooperate, I will take further measures without his/her permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure his/her safety.
- If I believe that another health care practitioner has abused a patient in some way, then I have an obligation to report this information to the appropriate authority.
- If the courts demand my testimony or my files in proceedings.