Sandra Levy Ceren, Ph. D

Confidentiality

Privacy of patients' records is of utmost concern. The law protects the privacy of all communications between a patient and a psychologist. In most situations, I can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written Authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPAA and/or California law. However, in the following situations, no authorization is required. Disclosures required by health insurers or to collect overdue fees are discussed elsewhere in this Agreement. There are some situations where I am permitted or required to disclose information without your Authorization:
If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information concerning the professional services I provided, such information is protected by the psychologist-patient privilege law. I cannot provide any information without your (or your legal representative's) written authorization, or a court order. If you are involved in or contemplating litigation, you should consult with your attorney to determine whether a court would be likely to order me to disclose information.
If a government agency is requesting the information for health oversight activities, I may be required to provide it for them.
If a patient files a complaint or lawsuit against me, I may disclose relevant information regarding that patient in order to defend myself.
If a patient files a worker's compensation claim, I may be required, upon appropriate request, to provide all clinical information relevant to or bearing upon the injury for which the claim was filed. There are some situations in which I am legally obligated to take actions, which I believe are necessary to attempt to protect others from harm and I may have to reveal some information about a patient?s treatment. These situations are unusual in my practice.
If I have reason to believe that a child under the age of eighteen (18) years has been abused, abandoned or neglected or who observes the child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse, abandonment or neglect, the law requires that I file a report with the appropriate government agency.
If a patient communicates an explicit threat of imminent serious physical harm or death to a clearly identified or identifiable victim or victims, and the patient has the apparent intent and ability to carry out such a threat, I may be required to take protective actions. These actions may include notifying the potential victim and contacting the police, and/or seeking hospitalization for the patient.
If I believe that there is an imminent risk that a patient will inflict serious physical harm or death on him/herself, I may be required to take protective actions. These actions may include attempting to hospitalize the patient, calling the police or contacting family members or others who can assist in protecting the patient.
If such a situation arises, I will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking any action and I will limit my disclosure to what is necessary.