Confidentiality at New Path Counseling
Here are some things you should know about confidentiality at New Path Counseling:
- You may refuse to give any information you do not feel comfortable revealing. If you don't want to give your name, make up a first and last name, and use that name if you return.
- We collect data such as name, address, age, family income, and race for our own use. We never share this information unless it is a life-threatening emergency or court- ordered.
- Notes are kept by your counselor about what takes place during each of your visits. Like any other clinic or counseling office, records are kept safely in locked cabinets.
- You have a right to look at and/or obtain copies of anything in your file. We prefer you discuss this with your counselor first.
- You and our staff are the only ones who can see your file. You must sign a release form if you want us to send any information to another counselor or agency. However, there are some exceptions to this:
- A counselor may have to release information to prevent harm from occurring. For example, if you make a serious threat to harm someone, and we believe you are about to do it; or to prevent you from killing yourself.
- If you tell your counselor of abuse or neglect of a child or a vulnerable adult, a report must be made to appropriate authorities.
- If you tell us of misconduct by a Minnesota-licensed health professional and identify that professional to us, the counselor has a duty to report the misconduct to the board that licenses the professional. However, you may discuss complaints at length if you do not reveal the identity of the person until you are ready.
- If New Path Counseling receives a court order to release some or all of your records in connection with a legal action.