Psychologists have a duty to keep patient information confidential, but certain circumstances may require them to alert authorities. Patient privacy laws vary by location, and psychologists may need to disclose information in cases of criminal activity, harm to others, or self-harm. However, confidentiality is generally standard, and patients have the right to access their records. It is important to understand privacy laws before beginning therapy.
Confidentiality in psychology is subject to state, provincial or governmental laws. While it is the duty of a mental health professional to keep patient information confidential, some types of information may not be kept confidential under specific circumstances. Although patient privacy laws can change by location, mental health professionals may need to alert authorities at times.
Typically, it is a psychologist’s duty to notify law enforcement when a person is engaged in criminal activity; when a person is harming an infant, child or elderly person; and when a person intends to self-inflict physical pain. In these cases, confidentiality in psychology is no longer valid. A psychologist must be convinced that any of these actions are occurring before speaking to the authorities. If a patient is involved in any type of legal dispute, that patient’s psychologist may be legally required to disclose certain details to a court.
Even psychologists working with children may be compelled to disclose some details. The amount of information that is disclosed to a minor’s legal guardian is often at the discretion of a psychologist. Some countries, states, and provinces have specific laws that pertain to the relationship between a minor and a legal guardian. If a person who was receiving counseling dies, private information may be disclosed to some family members. There may be other cases where confidentiality in psychology is null.
Aside from the specifics mentioned above, confidentiality in psychology is generally standard. Patients can confess past deeds, secrets and other information to a psychologist and that psychologist cannot reveal this information to anyone. However, some states in the United States and some governments around the world require detailed patient records to be kept. These records should contain basic patient information such as dates and times of sessions, payments made, and whether a patient is currently taking any medications.
In most cases, all records kept by a psychologist are owned by a patient. Therefore, a patient has the right, in many parts of the world, to consult these documents at any time. Before embarking on any type of therapy session, it may be wise to find out how privacy is decided in psychology within a particular country. Patients who fear that a psychologist may share intimate details with others should contact the appropriate authorities immediately.
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