1) Ways to protect your information via computer:  As I am sure you are aware, any time information is submitted online, there is a chance that a third party can directly/indirectly view your information.  You can help protect your information by:

A) Download antivirus/firewall software.

B) You can send information to me that does not provide identifying information (no last name or a number to identify you.)

C) Check and make sure that you type my return e-mail address correctly.

2) Ways to protect your identity by phone:

A) It is your responsibility to schedule times to talk when you can have privacy and when you are sure that you are the only person on the line and that no third party is recording the conversation. 

B) This therapist will not identify herself beyond her first name when calling for your session.  I will not leave a message with a third party or on a machine other than to say my name.  A phone number will also not be left for calls to be returned.  I will block my phone number when making calls to further protect my own privacy.

C) You must get written permission from me to release any of our e-mails or chats that you may have saved or printed.  This helps to protect my confidentiality. 

A) Please be advised that this website uses "cookies" to store information about your visit to this site on your hard drive.  The cookies record your information and what you do while you are visiting my site.  The "cookies" contain no personal or medical information.  All transmissions from this website are sent through a secure server (SSL.)  However, this does not mean that communication via computer is a truly secure form of communication.

B) I use PayPal for the payments you authorize.  I do not have access to their information.  Please contact PayPal directly for their privacy policies and procedures.

C) All of the information that you send to my is transmitted through a secure server and stored on my hard drive in a password protected program.  I will also print our correspondences and place a hard copy in a chart that I will keep in a secured file which only this therapist will have access to.  This hard copies are needed for legal issues if they should arise.  I am also required by Maryland Law to retain your records for seven years regarding the extent of our contact.

A) This writer and this website will not use or provide your personal information without authorization.  If you need your personal information sent to a third party, you must submit to this therapist in writing your request in addition to have your request notarized and signed.  The fee for copying your information is $1.50 per page and may take up to two weeks to be sent to you. Please contact this therapist for the specific information that needs to be included in your request to release your information.

There are situations/circumstances that may arise where I will not be able to protect your identity, and where I am required by law to breach confidentiality regardless of consent.  I will notify you if I need to breach confidentiality.  The following circumstances are to be reported by law:

A) If you, the client, report or indicate to this therapist that you plan to hurt yourself or someone else then this therapist by law is required to call 911 in your area.    In addition, if you, the client, report that you are planning to hurt another individual, this therapist is required by law to inform that particular individual that they are in danger in addition to calling 911.

B) If you, the client, report any type of abuse (sexual, physical, or emotional) regardless of whether you are the perpetrator or the victim to my local Department of Protective Services and to the police.  Please be advised that I would most likely be advised to contact your local Department of Protective Services and to your local police.  I am required by law to report all abuse even if the perpetrator is deceased or if the abuse took place years ago.

C) I am required by law to release your information if my records are subpoenaed or if they are court ordered.  This could happen if you are involved in a legal case.  I will do my best to protect your information and request to submit a written letter generally stating our contacts.  However, in some cases, this may not be sufficient and I may be required to release all records.

**Please e-mail me with any questions regarding the information stated above.**