Confidentiality & Privacy Practices


Communication

You may contact me by phone, text or email. Please be advised that voicemail, texts and emails are not a secure form of communication. I cannot guarantee the confidentiality of information contained within those forms of communication. All emails are retained in the logs of the internet service provider (ISP). While under normal circumstances no one looks at these logs, in theory they are available to be read by the system administrator(s) of the ISP. In terms of returning calls, I will do my best to respond to you as promptly as possible and within 1-2 business days. I do not routinely check voicemail or email on weekends.

In the event of a life threatening emergency, please contact Trans Lifeline (877) 565-8860, NYC Well 1-888-692-9355, 911 or report to the nearest emergency room.

Confidentiality

With the exception of certain specific exceptions described below, you have the absolute right to the confidentiality of your treatment. I cannot and will not tell anyone else what is shared in treatment, or even that you are under my care without your prior written permission. Under the provisions of the Health Care Information Act of 1992, I may legally speak to another health care provider or a member of your family about you without your prior consent, but I will only do so if the situation is deemed to be a life threatening emergency. I will always act so as to protect your privacy even if you do elect to release me in writing to share information about you. You may direct me to share information with whomever you chose, and you can change your mind and revoke that permission at any time. You are also protected under the provisions of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (also known as HIPAA). This law ensures the confidentiality of all electronic transmission of information about you. If I must transmit information about you electronically (for example, sending a bill), it will be done with special safeguards to ensure confidentiality.

The following are legal exceptions to your right to confidentiality. I would inform you of any time when I think I will have to put these into effect.

  1. If I believe that you are in imminent danger of harming yourself, I may legally break confidentiality and call the police, EMS and/or local mobile crisis team. I am not obligated to do this, and would explore all other options with you before I took this step. If at that point you are unable or unwilling to take steps to safeguard your safety, I would call EMS.

  2. If I have good reason to believe that you will harm another person, by law I must attempt to inform that person and warn them of your intentions. I must also contact the police and ask them to protect your intended victim.

  3. If I have good reason to believe that you are abusing or neglecting a child or vulnerable adult, or if you give me information about someone else who is doing this, I must inform ACS and/or APS immediately.