I will never.. again... in my lifetime sign another release.. no matter what.....

having... therapists talk about me... hate it.. and

hate them... loathe them...both of them...

[sunrise]

(((((freewill)))))

Make sure you tell your primary T that you wish to revoke the release that you signed because you don't want them talking anymore. My T told me that once I signed the release, he could talk to that person anytime, that he didn't need to get a new release for each conversation. So be sure to tear up the old release to prevent further incidents.

I am now in a "no confidentiality" situation in therapy, so I know how hard it is. It makes me feel vulnerable, not safe, even though I know my T intends no harm.

Thank you for understanding... I feel violated.....

[lauren_helene]

The worst is when you know they are talking but they both dodge questions about it or act like they never interact.

This is my current experience.

yes... that was what was so very frustrating.. he would not answer my questions about what they talked about.. it.. infuriated me...

[Kiya]

Free, mine is the same as sunshine - they can talk anytime they want. suposedly they'll tell me - but they didn't. i had to refuse to continue the t session until she told me what she talked about with the md. The md never answered my question about that.

[chaotic13]

You all have the hair on my neck standing up. I am a TOTAL freak about my privacy. I've made it very clear to my T that I know my HIPPA rights and that under no circumstance is she to communicate with anyone about my personal records. Just the last session I mentioned that I was fearful that my psy records could be used to discredit me if my H and I could not work out our differences and ended up in a custody dispute. She had to assure me several times that this would not happen.

This issue came up once when I went to a neurologist to get an Rx for ADHD medication which my GP would not issue. The neurologist was very interested in all of my personal business and wanted to contact my psychologist to exchange information. I told him I was not comfortable with that but I did eventually give him her contact information, fearing he would not give me the Rx without it. Immediately following that appointment I sent a very clear email message to my T stating that I did not want any personal or medical information disclosed to my GP or this neurologist. If the neurologists office called, she was permitted to confirm that I was her patient but that was it.

Now you never know what goes on behind the scene in the medical field, but I think my T gets how important this issue is to me and will not act unethically.

This must really be triggering for you... am so sorry you are in the position you are in... with hubby... and also... the fact that MD.. would not give ADHD meds... that is very rough..

yes.. when I was younger.... and had a child and was divorced.. I was a stickler for my privacy... with a job to maintain... and all..

it is morning... and I am still furious.... and see my T today...

(((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))) for all of us....

[OliviaC]

(((((((( freewill )))))))

I can surely identify with you regarding two therapists talking about you. I am numb today with shock and feel sick
because my therapist who reports to my psychiatrist laid into me yesterday about how she feels "attacked" by me.

I am sure it stems in part from the discussions my pdoc has with her about me. However I cannot let it destroy me. Right now though I know how you feel and my heart is very heavy.

My dear husband was kind enough to help me see that I am not a terrible person as I felt when she was lecturing me yesterday. I so wish I had a pdoc & therapist who did not work for that pdoc.

I am thinking quitting therapy altogether. Too much hurt.
I hate it too. I don't even sign a release because one works for the other.

[Kiya]

maybe it differs by State? My PsyD told me that the HIPPA regs do not keep her from talking to anybody - that i have to sign something that says i DON'T want them talking. I never signed anything and she had a meeting with my MD.

[chaotic13]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Kiya said:
My PsyD told me that the HIPPA regs do not keep her from talking to anybody

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I'm not sure this is totally accurate. I believe disclosures can occur among health care providers IF the disclosure is directly related and necessary to a patient's "treatment". I guess how much can be disclosed depends on what your diagnosis and what is consider necessary information by the medical community. She can't just talk ANYBODY. In addition to HIPPA some states may have some additional privacy restrictions.

If my psychologist expressed this view of my privacy rights I would be concerned.

[Perna]

HIPAA is about very formal, defined psychotherapy notes, not talking.

http://www.judyroberts.net/Psychotherapy_Notes.htm

A release if a form to release these notes to another.

http://www.hmsa.com/customerservice/...rapynotes.aspx

Not all therapists even keep notes. Therapists usually ask if they can call and talk on the phone to someone else, one's PDoc, etc. out of courtesy and to help coordinate treatment. But if they're formally "working" together and sharing your therapy notes or meds you're taking (that's covered under medical records so completely under HIPAA) that requires a release.

I don't understand why anyone would even be seeing doctors or therapists they don't trust though?

[sunrise]

I've worked with a few therapists now in my state and in order for the therapist to talk to anyone about you, you must sign a release. It is not just a courtesy. So it must vary by state. My therapist and my daughter's therapist had to have signed release forms (one for each therapist) so they could confer, and my daughter also has to sign one if she wants to allow her therapist to talk to me. My therapist could not talk to my lawyer until I signed a release form (at least before he was my coach). They just can't talk to anyone without getting that form signed, but once it is signed, it is good indefinitely, unless you specifically revoke it. Now that my therapist is also my coach, we have a different contract that specifies there is "no confidentiality" within the scope of other professionals on our "team." But he still needs the standard release to talk to others outside of the team. As soon as he is done being my coach, we are going to rip up the contract and get back our client-therapist confidentiality.

Anyway, I think the way it looks is that the regulations are different in different states and countries. This confidentiality question is probably something that is important to go over and understand at your very first session. And if you are ever uncomfortable with the agreement, be sure to raise it in therapy and perhaps you and your T can agree to additional safeguards.

[Kiya]

*sigh* - i DO trust both my MD and my T... i'm just fairly new to them both (MD 7 months, T 4 months) and the fam had it ingrained into me so much that therapy, counseling, the whole bit is all for crazy people and that no one in OUR family would *ever* need that... you know? It's just fear... fear they'll confer about me, deem me nuts, and lock me up forever- throw away the key.
(trembling)