Privacy Policy

The therapists and staff of The Institute for Change are committed to maintaining your privacy and confidentiality. All records are securely stored and all phone messages are password protected. We do not rely upon billing services. All statements and insurance forms are processed by Institute for Change staff.

We will speak to no one about you without your permission and written authorization. If you would like us to speak to your doctor or perhaps to your child’s school counselor we will ask you to sign a form describing the kinds of information you would like us to communicate. Without such permission, we are not allowed to share any information about you, not even to your spouse, life partner, family or friends. There are some limits to confidentiality which have to do with safety. These are listed below. Please review these limitations and ask us any questions you may have.

Limits of Confidentiality

The law protects the confidentiality of all communication between a patient and a psychotherapist. The exceptions to this confidentiality include the following:

If a therapist has reason to believe that a child or dependent adult or elder is the victim of abuse, the therapist is required by law to notify the relevant authorities.

If a patient intends serious physical harm to another, the therapist is required by law to notify authorities and the intended victim.

If a patient intends to harm him or herself, the therapist will work intensively with the patient to ensure the patient’s safety. However, if the patient refuses to cooperate with such measures, additional measures may be taken without their permission in order to maintain their safety.

Therapists, like all health professionals, must honor court orders demanding their records.