HIPPA laws DO require written client permission to release and/or discuss private confidential mental health information. I totally understand why a therapist needs to share information. She might be looking for peer consultation on a difficult or challenging case or she might be working to provide a solid safety net for a client who is experiencing serious difficulties and the therapist is going on vacation or is going to be unavailable for some reason. New therapists are required to obtain a specific number of hours of supervision from a more seasoned therapist. In all these cases, the therapist is required to let the client know this and the client needs to agree by signing a release of information form. These forms are usually signed during the intake interview and since many individuals are anxious, they might not remember signing the form. But it is a requirement and a therapist can find themselves in a lot of hot water if they don't get the forms signed and then allow another therapist to read a client's confidential file. Therapists will share information on a case without obtaining permission by not mentioning a clients name and masking identifying information, but they need to be very careful not to step over the line and reveal confidential information. Inviting someone into a client's private session without first obtaining the client's permission is not an "okay" thing to do, even if the therapist has the client's best interest in mind. Although some people might be okay with this, it obviously wasn't a good thing for you, iamspecial, and I'm sincerely sorry for that. I hope you're able to really talk about this with your therapist--showing her your post might be a good start!