Your Rights As A Client
Members of the Califoria Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) are expected to be
familiar with and abide by the standards and by applicable California
laws and regulations governing the conduct of licensed marriage and family therapists, interns and
trainees. The following guidelines have been established by CAMFT with regard to confidentiality.
Clients are encouraged to review the full text of ethical standards established by the CAMFT at
http://www.camft.org.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Marriage and family therapists have unique confidentiality responsibilities because the “patient”
in a therapeutic relationship may be more than one person. The overriding principle is that marriage and family
therapists respect the confidences of their patient(s).
2.1 Marriage and family therapists do not disclose patient confidences, including the names or identities of
their patients, to anyone except a) as mandated by law b) as permitted by law c) when the marriage and family
therapist is a defendant in a civil, criminal or disciplinary action arising from the therapy (in which case
patient confidences may only be disclosed in the course of that action), or d) if there is an authorization
previously obtained in writing, and then such information may only be revealed in accordance with the terms
of the authorization.
2.2 When there is a request for information related to any aspect of psychotherapy or treatment, each member of
the unit receiving such therapeutic treatment must sign an authorization before a marriage and family therapist
will disclose information received from any member of the treatment unit.
2.3 Marriage and family therapists are aware of the possible adverse effects of technological changes with respect
to the dissemination of patient information, and take reasonable care when disclosing such information. Marriage
and family therapists are also aware of the limitations regarding confidential transmission by Internet or electronic
media and take extra care when transmitting or receiving such information via these mediums.
2.4 Marriage and family therapists store, transfer, transmit, and/or dispose of patient records in ways that
protect confidentiality.
2.5 Marriage and family therapists take appropriate steps to ensure, insofar as possible, that the
confidentiality of patients is maintained by their employees, supervisees, assistants and volunteers.
2.6 Marriage and family therapists use clinical materials in teaching, writing, and public presentations only
if a written authorization has been previously obtained in accordance with 2.1 d, or when appropriate steps have
been taken to protect patient identity.
2.7 Marriage and family therapists, when working with a group, explain to the group the importance of maintaining
confidentiality, and are encouraged to obtain agreement from group participants to respect the confidentiality of
other members of the group.
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