Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

 

 

At According To Sykes, we are committed to protecting your privacy, dignity, and the confidentiality of your personal health information. The relationship between a client and psychotherapist is protected by law, and information shared in the course of treatment will not be disclosed without your written permission, except in specific circumstances required by law and professional ethics.

 

 

Confidentiality & Legal Exceptions

 

 

Confidentiality is a foundational principle of our work. However, there are limited situations in which disclosure may be required:

 

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or elderly person must be reported to the appropriate authorities

• If a client expresses intent to harm themselves, we will take appropriate steps to ensure their safety, which may include contacting emergency services

• If a client threatens serious bodily harm to another person, we are required to take steps to warn the intended victim and notify authorities

 

 

Outside of these exceptions, all efforts are made to protect your confidentiality and privacy.

 

 

 

Use and Protection of Personal Health Information (PHI)

 

 

We adhere to all applicable state and federal laws, including HIPAA, regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI).

 

Our practice will:

 

• Collect, use, and disclose PHI only as necessary for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO)

• Not use or disclose PHI for purposes such as marketing, employment, or insurance applications without your explicit authorization

• Use PHI for appointment reminders only with your consent

 

 

We implement reasonable and appropriate safeguards to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of your information. All practitioners and staff are trained to treat PHI as sensitive and confidential in accordance with legal, ethical, and professional standards.

 

 

 

Client Rights

 

 

You have important rights regarding your health information. These include the right to:

 

• Access and obtain a copy of your medical records (with written request and approval)

• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information in your record

• Receive a record of disclosures of your PHI (excluding those made for TPO purposes)

• Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your information, where appropriate

 

 

If a request for access is denied, you have the right to request a formal review of that decision.

 

 

 

Our Responsibility

 

 

While our practice maintains ownership of clinical records, we recognize that your health information belongs to you. We are committed to:

 

• Respecting your privacy and dignity at all times

• Maintaining accurate, complete, and timely records

• Acting as responsible stewards of all client information

• Ensuring that all staff adhere strictly to confidentiality and privacy standards

 

 

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination and potential legal consequences.

 

 

 

Policy Updates

 

 

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy as needed. Any changes will become effective upon posting of the revised policy and will be made available upon request.