Communication about me, my case, and my file

I suppose this can go for anyone in a similar position. How does this make you feel?

As part of my Veterans' Affairs Canada case, I have been directed to undergo therapy with a psychologist. I have started this. I am still a bit hesitant to open up but I suppose seeing the therapist will overall be a good thing. What is NOT good? My VAC case manager and my psychologist will be having discussions about me. I have been required to sign forms for communication of my complete files between the two. This isn't a simple matter of each confirming for the other I am attending programs and therapy. This is about disclosing my complete files. They will be discussing me and my case. I am revolted by this thought and find my anxiety has hit the roof upon the 'demand' I fill out these forms. It is bad enough I had to go through judgement and prove my PTSD to VAC in the first place but now I feel like I have to constantly do so - and be on the lookout - again and again. I am scared.

I'm sorry. I almost never sign releases between therapists or a therapist and any other professional, and if I do the release is limited. I'd much rather they get their information directly from me. It sounds like you don't have much choice though...if you are going to get benefits that you need. It does make sense that anyone would have anxiety about that, and particularly someone with PTSD.

I would suggest that you talk to your therapist specifically about that anxiety and your feeling about being judged. He or she might be able to reassure you or at least give you an idea of what kind of information will be shared. Therapy notes are very general usually. "Client discussed stress with family of origin" for example. That one of the reasons I don't read mine. They seem kind of cold and boring really.

If there is something specific that you think might hurt your VAC case, I wouldn't share it with the therapist. If it is something that you think you really need to discuss, you could always consider hiring a second therapist...one that the VAC doesn't know about and doesn't have a release for.

Since I am in the US, I am not familiar with the Canadian law and whether it allows your case manager to demand to have communications with your therapist to the extend that the entire file has to be open to them.

In the US, this kind of stuff takes place when people are court mandated to undergo therapy or if therapy is a part of their parole requirements. In those cases they are also pressured to sign release forms and their therapists regularly communicate with their parole officers or write regular reports about their progress for the courts. In those cases, therapists usually try to keep their records as generic as possible and communicate as much information to the authorities as they deem relevant to let them know that the person keeps his regular attendance and makes progress. No ethical therapist with integrity would divulge all the details of what's been said in sessions. But, of course, there is always a risk of that happening.

I think, it's outrageous that the state entities are allowed to violate people's right to receive confidential service and basically their right to privacy. I see it as a major human rights violation. Unfortunately, all you can do in this situation is to share your concerns with the therapist and to hope that they will be understanding and ethical enough to use their discretion in how much to share with your case manager. Good luck.

Thank you, both of you for your well thought out responses and the emotional support. Indeed, I have no choice in the matter. This is a mandated part of my 'rehabilitation process' as set out by Veteran's Affairs Canada. Apparently I agreed to this when I accepted the monetary payout I was awarded. It was contingent on my freely participating in the program. My case worker suggests this is part of building a 'team' to better address my rehabilitation but as suggested, I can't help but consider this an invasion and violation of my privacy.

I started a thread elsewhere about my difficulty coping with this and that I am utterly sick about it.