Confidentiality
Therapy records may include items such as personal information, progress notes, and evaluations, and will be shredded 7 years after your file has been closed. No information can be released to a third party
without your prior written consent, or verbal consent in the case of an emergency.
Exceptions include: (1) when children are under 14 years of age, and their parents/legal guardians want access to the file, (2) risk of imminent danger, such as suicide, death, risk of a child running away, or serious bodily harm to an identifiable person or group, (2) suspected or known abuse or neglect of a child or older adult, (3) unsafe operation of a motor vehicle, (4) requests ordered by a court of law.
If required the therapists may, receive supervision, consult another therapist, a member of another professional order, or another competent person. Disclosure of identifying information will be minimised, and names will not be released without consent.
Privacy Policy
At Care To Play Therapy we only use the information acquired in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
Access to Records: As allowed by law, a client has access to their own records or to the records of their minor child/children.
Privacy and Confidentiality: All information provided by or obtained about a client is considered confidential and shall be protected. Client information includes the therapist’s personal knowledge of the client and client records (written, electronic, or verbal). Except as provided herein, client information may be disclosed or released only with the client’s (or parent/caregiver’s) written informed consent.
* A therapist may release client records without the client’s written consent under the following circumstances:
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Where a client’s authorised representative consents in writing to the release.
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Where communications to the therapist reveal abuse and/or neglect of children, elders, or dependent adults which impose an obligation on marriage and family therapists as mandatory reporters.
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Where the therapist has a duty to warn in relation to communications of threats of physical violence to others or to self, including suicide threats.
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Where the marriage and family therapist has been appointed to conduct an evaluation for child custody or visitation by the court.
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Where circumstances giving rise to the list of exceptions to the healthcare provider-patient privilege.
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Where mandated by the Courts or State Law requiring release of records or where the therapist is served with a subpoena or summons.
Child Protection: TUSLA- Children First
National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children is to promote the safety and well-being of children. The safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Children will have safer lives, where everyone is attentive to their wellbeing; and that people who work with children across a range of areas understand their personal responsibility for safe practice in their organisation, the reporting of concerns and co-operation with statutory bodies.
Care To Play Therapy incorporates TUSLA Children First policy best practice in our workplace.
Click here for further information.
If a therapist has a concern about a child's welfare, it is their professional duty to report the concern to the Deputy Liaison Person (DLP). The DLP will take appropriate measures to deal with the concern; including contacting the Garda Siochana or TUSLA.