Alabama Administrative Code › Title 536 - ALABAMA BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY › Chapter 536-X-8 - STANDARDS OF CONDUCT OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS › Section 536-X-8-.02 - Confidentiality

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
Marriage and family therapists have unique confidentiality
				concerns because the client in a therapeutic relationship may be more than one
				person. Therapists respect and guard the confidences of each individual
				client.
(1) Marriage and family
			 therapists disclose to clients and other interested parties, as early as
			 feasible in their professional contacts, the nature of confidentiality and
			 possible limitations of the clients' right to confidentiality. Therapists
			 review with clients the circumstances where confidential information may be
			 requested and where disclosure of confidential information may be legally
			 required. Circumstances may necessitate repeated disclosures.
(2) Marriage and family therapists do not
			 disclose client confidences except by written authorization or waiver, or where
			 mandated or permitted by law. Verbal authorization will not be sufficient
			 except in emergency situations, unless prohibited by law. When providing
			 couple, family or group treatment, the therapist does not disclose information
			 outside the treatment context without a written authorization from each
			 individual competent to execute a waiver. In the context of couple, family or
			 group treatment, the therapist may not reveal any individual's confidences to
			 others in the client unit without the prior written permission of that
			 individual.
(3) Marriage and family
			 therapists use client and/or clinical materials in teaching, writing,
			 consulting, research, and public presentations only if a written waiver has
			 been obtained in accordance with Subprinciple 2.2, or when appropriate steps
			 have been taken to protect client identity and confidentiality.
(4) Marriage and family therapists store,
			 safeguard, and dispose of client records in ways that maintain confidentiality
			 and in accord with applicable laws and professional standards.
(5) Subsequent to the therapist moving from
			 the area, closing the practice, or upon the death of the therapist, a marriage
			 and family therapist arranges for the storage, transfer, or disposal of client
			 records in ways that maintain confidentiality and safeguard the welfare of
			 clients.
(6) Marriage and family
			 therapists, when consulting with colleagues or referral sources, do not share
			 confidential information that could reasonably lead to the identification of a
			 client, research participant, or other person with whom they have a
			 confidential relationship unless they have obtained the prior written consent
			 of the client, research participant, or other person with whom they have a
			 confidential relationship. Information may be shared only to the extent
			 necessary to achieve the purposes of the consultation.
(7) Marriage and family therapists provide
			 clients with reasonable access to records concerning the clients. When
			 providing couple, family, or group treatment, the therapist does not provide
			 access to records without a written authorization from each individual
			 competent to execute a waiver. Marriage and family therapists limit client's
			 access to their records only in exceptional circumstances when they are
			 concerned that such access could cause serious harm to the client. The client's
			 request and the rationale for withholding some or all of the record should be
			 documented in the client's file. Marriage and family therapists take steps to
			 protect the confidentiality of other individuals identified in client
			 records
Author:
The Alabama Board of Examiners in
				  Marriage and Family Therapy
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
				  1975
, §§
										34-17A-1 thru
				  34-17A-26.