Practice Policies

At Bluebird Counseling Center LLC, your privacy and mental health are our highest priorities. To ensure a clear understanding of our policies regarding confidentiality and your care, please review the following outline:

Limits of Confidentiality

While we strive to maintain complete confidentiality, there are specific circumstances where we may be required to disclose information. These include:

Disclosure of Child Abuse:If there is any indication or disclosure of child abuse, we are mandated reporters and required by law to report this information.
Imminent Threat:If there is any indication or disclosure of child abuse, we are mandated reporters and required by law to report this information.
Court Orders:If there is a court order requiring disclosure of information, we must comply with the legal requirement.

In almost all cases, unless it poses an immediate risk of harm, individuals will be informed about any necessary breach of confidentiality before information is disclosed.

Confidentiality Regarding Minors

At Bluebird Counseling Center LLC, we take confidentiality seriously, especially when it comes to our younger clients. Understanding the nuances of confidentiality for children under 14 and those over 14 years old is essential for fostering trust in the therapeutic relationship.

Confidentiality for Children Under 14

For clients under the age of 14, parents or guardians have the legal right to access information about their child’s services without the child’s consent. However, to create a comfortable space for children to open up to their provider, we strive to maintain a level of confidentiality in our sessions.

Your provider will utilize clinical judgment to determine when it is necessary and appropriate to share information with parents or guardians and will also encourage and support the child to share their thoughts and feelings directly when possible. Our goal is to foster communication while respecting the child’s comfort and emotional safety.

Confidentiality for Clients Over 14

In Pennsylvania, clients aged 14 and older are treated as adults concerning their privacy and confidentiality in the field of mental health. This means that their information will not be shared with parents, guardians, or any family members without their consent, except in situations where there is a clinical necessity to break confidentiality due to safety concerns or imminent risk.

We encourage family members to respect the client’s privacy; understanding that confidentiality will be honored is crucial for building trust. Our primary focus is always on the client, and we commit to acting in their best interest throughout treatment. A strong therapeutic rapport enables clinicians to gently challenge clients, prompting reflection and growth.

Communication with Family Members

If a family member—be it a spouse, sibling, or other loved one—reaches out to a clinician regarding their loved one, the provider will disclose this contact to the client. It is imperative that clients know conversations about them are not held behind their backs. The clinician will summarize the content of the communication, utilizing discretion and clinical judgment to maintain appropriate boundaries.

By adhering to these practice policies, we aim to create a trusting, supportive environment where clients can thrive. Thank you for being a vital part of our commitment to confidentiality and healing. If you have any questions or concerns about these policies, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with your provider.

Your Role in Mental Health Care

You are the leader in your mental health care journey. While your privacy is our utmost priority, we encourage open dialogue about any concerns you may have regarding confidentiality.

Record Security

All records are kept secure and stored in a HIPAA-compliant manner to ensure your privacy is protected at all times.

Requests for Records

If an outside entity requests access to your records, you will be notified and asked for your approval before any information is released. Your consent is essential, and we are committed to keeping you informed throughout the process.

Coordinating Care

One exception to this policy occurs when we need to coordinate care with another healthcare provider in the best interest of your treatment. In such cases, we will make every effort to communicate with you and obtain necessary permissions, ensuring that your well-being is always our top priority.

Your trust is crucial to the therapeutic relationship, and we take every step to safeguard your information while facilitating optimal care. If you have any concerns or questions about our confidentiality policies, please feel free to discuss them with your provider.

Communication Recommendations

Please note that if you choose to communicate via regular email or non-secure text messages, your privacy cannot be guaranteed. We recommend sharing personal health information only through secure channels, such as:

The TherapyNotes portal
The iPlum communication application

Public Encounters

To further protect your privacy, especially in our small-town environment, your provider will maintain confidentiality in public settings. If you encounter your provider in a public space, they may smile or nod as a courtesy but will not approach or engage in conversation. This policy is in place to prevent any need for you to explain your relationship with the provider to others.

If you choose to engage with your provider while in public, please be mindful of your surroundings and any individuals your provider may be with, as it may inadvertently reveal your connection.

Social Media Policy

At Bluebird Counseling Center LLC, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, client privacy, and the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. As part of this commitment, we have established the following social media policy:

Engagement with Bluebird Counseling Center’s Social Media Accounts

Clients are welcome to engage with Bluebird Counseling Center LLC’s social media accounts as they feel comfortable. This may include following our pages, liking posts, sharing content, or commenting on public posts.

Please Note: To protect your privacy and confidentiality, Bluebird Counseling Center LLC will not acknowledge or reference an individual’s status as a client on any social media platform. Any public interactions on our social media accounts are entirely at the discretion of the client. If you choose to engage publicly, please be aware that others may see your activity.

Clinician-Client Interactions on Personal Social Media Accounts

To safeguard the therapeutic relationship and prioritize client privacy, Bluebird Counseling Center LLC clinicians will not engage with clients through their personal social media accounts. This includes but is not limited to:

Sending or accepting friend requests on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Responding to or initiating private messages via personal social media accounts.

Following clients or interacting with their personal social media content.

If you encounter one of our clinicians on social media, please understand that they will not engage with you in any capacity that could identify you as a client. This boundary helps maintain a professional and therapeutic environment.

Communication Channels

For any communication related to your care, please use the appropriate and secure channels provided by Bluebird Counseling Center LLC, such as phone, email, or our client portal. Social media platforms are not considered secure methods for discussing personal or clinical matters.

Social Media Content Disclaimer

The content shared on Bluebird Counseling Center LLC’s social media accounts is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapeutic advice or create a therapeutic relationship. If you have specific questions or concerns about your mental health, please contact our office directly.

Updates to This Policy

This social media policy is subject to change. Any updates will be posted on our website and, where applicable, shared through our social media accounts.

By adhering to this policy, we aim to protect your privacy, uphold professional boundaries, and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all clients.

If you have any questions about this policy or require clarification, please contact our office directly.

Court Requests and Involvement

At Bluebird Counseling Center LLC, we prioritize the best interests of our clients and strive to keep the focus of treatment on their well-being. As such, we prefer to avoid involvement in court cases whenever possible.

Impact of Court Involvement

If there is any indication that a provider may be called to testify in court, it is important to recognize that the information shared during sessions may be affected. This potential involvement can inadvertently skew the provider’s clinical opinion to align with the expectations or needs of the client or their loved ones for court purposes, which can compromise the integrity of the therapeutic process.

Court-Related Services

In circumstances where a provider must be involved in court proceedings, please be aware that court-related services will incur additional costs as outlined on our services page. We believe in transparency regarding these fees and encourage open dialogue about any concerns related to court involvement.

Your treatment and trust are our top priorities. If you have any questions or require further clarification about our policies regarding court requests, please do not hesitate to reach out to your provider.

Conclusion

Thank you for trusting Bluebird Counseling Center LLC with your mental health care. We are dedicated to providing a safe and confidential space for your healing journey. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our practice policies, please feel free to discuss them with your provider. We’re here to help!