Confidentiality

The privacy and confidentiality of your sessions with Dr. Imming is held with utmost importance. Information about your contact with Dr. Imming will not be disclosed to any person or organization unless you have given written consent by signing a release allowing such disclosure. This includes giving information to the parents or spouses of individuals who are age 18 or older, even when the parent or spouse is paying for the service. Communication between Dr. Imming and patients is protected by confidentiality regulations as stipulated by federal and state laws and by professional standards and ethics.

In certain situations, Dr. Imming will not be able to legally maintain confidentiality. At these times, written permission is not required to be obtained from you. Legal exceptions include the following.

1. Dr. Imming is legally obligated to report any situation of suspected abuse or neglect toward a minor, elderly, or disabled individual to the proper authorities.
2. In some circumstances, records may be subject to subpoena issued by the court. Confidentiality may be waived with regard to any suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
3. If it is believed that a patient may harm him/herself or another individual, Dr. Imming is permitted by law to break confidentiality by contacting law enforcement and /or medical officials who may then take protective actions.
4. Dr. Imming may be required to release patient information as dictated by law for patients who choose to use insurance for services. This law also permits the release of information to a collection agency in order to collect on an overdue account.
5. If a patient discloses the identity of a mental health professional who has engaged in sexual contact with him/her during treatment, state law requires that Dr. Imming report that professional to the appropriate authority. She is not permitted to disclose the identity of the patient if s/he does not wish to be identified as part of this report.
6. Under the USA Patriot Act, Dr. Imming is required to disclose your personal health information to authorized federal officials who are conducting national security and intelligence activities or providing protective services to the President or other important officials. By law, Dr. Imming cannot reveal when this information has been disclosed to the government.
7. Confidentiality does not extend to criminal proceedings in Texas.

This list is not exhaustive, but includes circumstances that may occur. The situations outlined above are typically out of the ordinary and have no impact on the large majority of people seeking psychological services. This information is provided to you so that you may be fully informed of limits to confidentiality.