Risk, Confidentiality, Policy and more – Updated 2020
Jill encourages you to take a couple of seconds to read carefully all of the information below concerning Risk, Benefits and/or Limits to Confidentiality
Jill White-Huffman is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor #7825 & Certified Marriage & Family Therapist. As a Counselor, she is committed to following all policies and procedures.
Risk and Benefits of Counseling and Coaching: It is 100% natural and hard for most people to open up and express uncomfortable and unpleasant situations and circumstances that the may be encountering, especially with someone whom they have only known for a short period of time. By doing so, one may experience uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and emotions. As a therapist/coach, I always encourage clients to speak to a medical professional/their physicians about medical concerns because I am unable to treat diseases and/or give medical advice or prescribe medicine. My role is to help individuals and couples process their concerns with as much ease as possible. I cannot “cure” or guarantee improvements/outcomes efforts from any condition since there are many variables involved that affect therapy, rather face-to-face or through telehealth. I am not a crisis center or mental health emergency hotline or 24 hour service. However, I do make every effort to help individuals and couples improve their situations/symptoms, reduce distress/stress, improve relationships, and/or resolve concerns and specific issues to the best of my professional efforts.
If you are feeling and/or having suicidal thoughts call the national prevention hotline at (800) 273-8255.
Limits to Confidentiality: Confidentiality is kept to its highest standards during therapy sessions, with the below exceptions. I will need a verbal or written consent to share personal information from you. However, there are limits to confidentiality that I need to share since I am licensed and mandated by the law to disclose/report all pertinent information discussed in therapy. For example: Rather I provide therapy services to clients as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Marriage Family Therapist, and when I am providing services as a Coach my limits to confidentiality include: Duty To Warn if a client has an intent or plan to harm another person, I must may every effort to notify the intended victim as well as legal authorities. Suicide/Self-Harm if a client discloses a plan to harm him/herself, I must ensure safety by taking the necessary steps needed to ensure safety which will include but not limited to notifying family members as well as legal authorities. Children (sexual, physical, emotional, and neglect) and Vulnerable Adults (Elderly, Disabled and etc., including self-report of prenatal exposure of controlled substances during pregnancy) will be reported to child protective services/appropriate agency, and legal authorities. Animal abuse or cruelty: This includes neglect or hoarding. If I am billing Insurance Provider in order to be paid: In most cases, I will have to provide a diagnosis, dates and times of services, description of impairment – prognosis – summaries. It is also important that you understand that coaching is different than counseling and we will discuss which services is the best for you in your current situation.
Keep In Mind: Jill provides her clients with an open ear to uncover their concerns with compassion and understanding. Afterwards, she does her best to provide individuals and couples with usable skills to build on their strengths so that they are better able to attain personal growth that enrich lives.
Risk and Benefits of Counseling and Coaching: It is 100% natural and hard for most people to open up and express uncomfortable and unpleasant situations and circumstances that the may be encountering, especially with someone whom they have only known for a short period of time. By doing so, one may experience uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and emotions. As a therapist/coach, I always encourage clients to speak to a medical professional/their physicians about medical concerns because I am unable to treat diseases and/or give medical advice or prescribe medicine. My role is to help individuals and couples process their concerns with as much ease as possible. I cannot “cure” or guarantee improvements/outcomes efforts from any condition since there are many variables involved that affect therapy, rather face-to-face or through telehealth. I am not a crisis center or mental health emergency hotline or 24 hour service. However, I do make every effort to help individuals and couples improve their situations/symptoms, reduce distress/stress, improve relationships, and/or resolve concerns and specific issues to the best of my professional efforts.
If you are feeling and/or having suicidal thoughts call the national prevention hotline at (800) 273-8255.
Limits to Confidentiality: Confidentiality is kept to its highest standards during therapy sessions, with the below exceptions. I will need a verbal or written consent to share personal information from you. However, there are limits to confidentiality that I need to share since I am licensed and mandated by the law to disclose/report all pertinent information discussed in therapy. For example: Rather I provide therapy services to clients as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Marriage Family Therapist, and when I am providing services as a Coach my limits to confidentiality include: Duty To Warn if a client has an intent or plan to harm another person, I must may every effort to notify the intended victim as well as legal authorities. Suicide/Self-Harm if a client discloses a plan to harm him/herself, I must ensure safety by taking the necessary steps needed to ensure safety which will include but not limited to notifying family members as well as legal authorities. Children (sexual, physical, emotional, and neglect) and Vulnerable Adults (Elderly, Disabled and etc., including self-report of prenatal exposure of controlled substances during pregnancy) will be reported to child protective services/appropriate agency, and legal authorities. Animal abuse or cruelty: This includes neglect or hoarding. If I am billing Insurance Provider in order to be paid: In most cases, I will have to provide a diagnosis, dates and times of services, description of impairment – prognosis – summaries. It is also important that you understand that coaching is different than counseling and we will discuss which services is the best for you in your current situation.
Keep In Mind: Jill provides her clients with an open ear to uncover their concerns with compassion and understanding. Afterwards, she does her best to provide individuals and couples with usable skills to build on their strengths so that they are better able to attain personal growth that enrich lives.
Written 2012
Counseling Process & Guidelines
Risk of Therapy: Since therapy brings up uncomfortable emotions and feelings at times, you may feel mad, sad, guilty, angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, lonesome, and/or worthless. If you are serious about therapy and will attend your sessions, it may force you to examine yourself to see if you might be contributing to your problems, which is one of the most painful processes of therapy. But as you learn more about yourself and develop more insight about your challenges and struggles, you will ultimately start to feel better. You may be experiencing all sorts of emotions and feelings as a result of your new discoveries and this can be frightening for some people.
Benefits of Therapy: You will have to decide if the risk of change is worth it to you. If so, might you allow Jill to help you? There are no guarantees, but Jill has been successful working and helping with both couples and individuals reach their goals.
Confidentiality: Your sessions are kept confidential, and Jill will not disclose your information without your consent. In other words, no one will know that you are attending counseling unless you disclose this information. It is your decision to schedule sessions or email questions to Jill and she does everything possible to keep your message/messages confidential, but there are no guarantees when emailing, so please keep messages short with little information disclosed.
Legal exceptions to your right to confidentiality:
1. If you are at risk of imminent serious harm to yourself or others.
2. If you report that you are HIV positive, it must be reported to the Department of Health unless it has already been reported.
3. Billing to your insurance company.
4. Suspicion of neglect or abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. This may include a report of past abuse.
5. If there has been sexual misconduct of a physician or therapist.
6. When your records are subpoenaed. This happens in some cases.
7. During times that you provide written permission for Jill to release information to another party, if needed.
8. If there is a need for consultation with another professional who works in the area of care such as what pertains to your situations. However, no names will be discussed and conversation will be discussed like a case study with little details.
9. If there is a need to seek Jill's liability insurance company for consultation.
10. Counseling rules for confidentiality for groups, families, and couples vary. Jill will discuss this with you during your first session.
Confidentiality & Privacy Statement
Jill White-Huffman is a Licensed Professional Counselor #7825 & Certified Marriage & Family Therapist. As a Counselor, she is committed to following all policies and procedures.
Jill’s website is not intended to be a counseling session, but it's purpose is to only discuss and educate about heath related topics. In the event that an individual feels that he/she is in danger or experiencing a crisis, they are instructed to call 911 immediately or if able go to the nearest hospital. The law protects the relationship between a client and a therapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. Therefore, Jill takes confidentiality seriously. She takes every measure to make sure that any information she obtains regarding her clients, potential clients, or visitors to her website is kept confidential to her best ability.
Exceptions include:
1. Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which Jill is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
2. If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person(s), Jill must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
3. If a client intends to harm himself or herself, Jill will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, Jill will take further measures without their permission that are provided to her by law in order to ensure their safety.
Jill has different tabs for her users to use to input their personal information so that she can respond appropriately to their needs, questions and concerns about her services. Jill is the primary owner who obtains this information from her website. Jill will never sell, share or rent this information to anyone unless required to do so by the law. When individuals visit her website, the web server can only see the consumer’s domain name but never their email address. However, emails addresses always come to Jill and she uses them for marketing purposes. If you would no longer want to continue receiving emails, please unsubscribe by sending the latest email back and writing "Remove" in the subject line, and Jill will take you off the mailing list. However, because of Jill’s strong participation in many of the community events here in Greensboro, it is not uncommon for her to send duplicate emails, but do notify her that you would like to be removed.
At times, Jill sends mail to a variety of professionals, individuals and etc. that have clients that could benefit from her services. Jill does not sell any of this information with anyone. Jill encourages anyone who receives these mailings to call and identify your name or your company or office and ask to be taken off her mailing list if you would like to stop receiving letters. This also applies to individuals who wish not to receive phone calls.
Certain Disclosures:
If you visit Jill White-Huffman’s website and you disclose information that she is mandated by the law or subpoenaed to report or she believes that such action is necessary, confidentiality will be broken. If you have questions about when confidentially is broken, please read Jill’s confidentiality policy, guidelines and rules, including; abide by the law and comply with legal policies served by Jill or affiliated parties. This protects and defends Jill’s property, rights, websites and affiliated parties. Jill does all she can to protect the safety of users who visit, email, communicate or use her site. If there are other sites linked to Jill White-Huffman’s site, Jill is not responsible information or content from another website. It is important that you understand if you visit another website after viewing Jill’s website, there is a chance your personal information could be compromised. Jill is not responsible for other websites linked to or from her website and privacy is no longer in effect. If you visit Jill White-Huffman’s website, you consent to her collection of your personal information.
Jill may use “cookies” to track and record information about her website visitors to help ensure that all information is accurate for those users who move from screen to screen, as well as to keep information private and protected. She uses other websites to further educate users about different topics. Jill is not responsible for the policies and privacy practices or the content of these websites. Therefore, if you click on to any of these websites, you may be disclosing your private information to them and this releases Jill from disclosing your personal and private information. Jill uses updated technology to respect the security of her clients to protect against loss, misuse or alteration of personal information and there are times when Jill will update her private policy statement. If you have any questions about Jill’s privacy statement or the practices of this site, please feel free to contact her at 336-855-1860
Jill White-Huffman's Private Practice Social Media Policy
I have provided this document for you because it outlines my policies related to use of social media. Please read it to understand how I conduct myself on the Internet as a Licensed School Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Marriage Family Therapist, and Licensed Massage Bodywork Therapist, and how you can expect me to respond to various interactions that may occur between us on the Internet. If you have any questions about anything within this document, I encourage you to contact me by phone at 336-855-1860 or by email at jwhite_huffman@yahoo.com Please note that as the Internet changes and new technology develops, I encourage you to check my updates to this policy periodically.
Friend Requests
It is impossible for me not to accept friend or contact requests from the many different social networking sites that exist today (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), especially since I participate in so many events, TV programs and etc. throughout the public/community here in Greensboro. However, I am unable to answer questions presented to me via social sites that may compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. Another reason why I refuse to answer questions is because it may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up when we meet and we can talk more about it. I keep all social media networks professional and most posts will be about health-related topics or events as well as other businesses promoting their practices. Most of all of the information shared on this page is available on my website.
Following
My primary concern is your privacy. You are welcome to use your own discretion in choosing whether to choose to connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ or any other social media site.
If there are things from your online life that you wish to share with me, please call me at 336-855-1860 or email me at jwhite_huffman@yahoo.com
Interacting
Please do not use Social Networking to contact me, especially in the case of an emergency. These sites are not secure and I may not read these messages in a timely fashion. Engaging with me this way could compromise your confidentiality. It could also create the possibility that these exchanges become a part of your legal medical record and will need to be documented and archived in your chart.
Use of Search Engines
It is NOT a regular part of my practice to search for clients on social media sites. However, during a time of crisis, I may need to do so and this includes if it becomes a necessary part of ensuring your welfare.
Business Review Sites
You may find my counseling and private massage practice on sites or other places which list businesses online, and it is always your decision if you would like to provide testimonials, ratings, or endorsements. You will not ever be required to provide feedback as a requirement to receive services from me. For confidentiality purposes, I will never respond in a client-therapist interactive manner. By the same token, I urge you to take your own privacy as seriously as I take my commitment of confidentiality. No one will know that you are a client unless you choose to disclose this information.
Email
I do not use email to answer or address therapy questions or concerns. I prefer using email only to arrange or modify appointments. You should also know that any emails I receive from you that do not relate to appointment changes or confirmation will become a part of your legal record.
Conclusion
I would like to take a moment to thank you for taking the time to review my social media policy. If you have questions or concerns about any of these policies and procedures, please feel free to call me at 336-855-1860 or via email at jwhite_huffman@yahoo.com
Benefits of Therapy: You will have to decide if the risk of change is worth it to you. If so, might you allow Jill to help you? There are no guarantees, but Jill has been successful working and helping with both couples and individuals reach their goals.
Confidentiality: Your sessions are kept confidential, and Jill will not disclose your information without your consent. In other words, no one will know that you are attending counseling unless you disclose this information. It is your decision to schedule sessions or email questions to Jill and she does everything possible to keep your message/messages confidential, but there are no guarantees when emailing, so please keep messages short with little information disclosed.
Legal exceptions to your right to confidentiality:
1. If you are at risk of imminent serious harm to yourself or others.
2. If you report that you are HIV positive, it must be reported to the Department of Health unless it has already been reported.
3. Billing to your insurance company.
4. Suspicion of neglect or abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. This may include a report of past abuse.
5. If there has been sexual misconduct of a physician or therapist.
6. When your records are subpoenaed. This happens in some cases.
7. During times that you provide written permission for Jill to release information to another party, if needed.
8. If there is a need for consultation with another professional who works in the area of care such as what pertains to your situations. However, no names will be discussed and conversation will be discussed like a case study with little details.
9. If there is a need to seek Jill's liability insurance company for consultation.
10. Counseling rules for confidentiality for groups, families, and couples vary. Jill will discuss this with you during your first session.
Confidentiality & Privacy Statement
Jill White-Huffman is a Licensed Professional Counselor #7825 & Certified Marriage & Family Therapist. As a Counselor, she is committed to following all policies and procedures.
Jill’s website is not intended to be a counseling session, but it's purpose is to only discuss and educate about heath related topics. In the event that an individual feels that he/she is in danger or experiencing a crisis, they are instructed to call 911 immediately or if able go to the nearest hospital. The law protects the relationship between a client and a therapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. Therefore, Jill takes confidentiality seriously. She takes every measure to make sure that any information she obtains regarding her clients, potential clients, or visitors to her website is kept confidential to her best ability.
Exceptions include:
1. Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which Jill is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
2. If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person(s), Jill must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
3. If a client intends to harm himself or herself, Jill will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, Jill will take further measures without their permission that are provided to her by law in order to ensure their safety.
Jill has different tabs for her users to use to input their personal information so that she can respond appropriately to their needs, questions and concerns about her services. Jill is the primary owner who obtains this information from her website. Jill will never sell, share or rent this information to anyone unless required to do so by the law. When individuals visit her website, the web server can only see the consumer’s domain name but never their email address. However, emails addresses always come to Jill and she uses them for marketing purposes. If you would no longer want to continue receiving emails, please unsubscribe by sending the latest email back and writing "Remove" in the subject line, and Jill will take you off the mailing list. However, because of Jill’s strong participation in many of the community events here in Greensboro, it is not uncommon for her to send duplicate emails, but do notify her that you would like to be removed.
At times, Jill sends mail to a variety of professionals, individuals and etc. that have clients that could benefit from her services. Jill does not sell any of this information with anyone. Jill encourages anyone who receives these mailings to call and identify your name or your company or office and ask to be taken off her mailing list if you would like to stop receiving letters. This also applies to individuals who wish not to receive phone calls.
Certain Disclosures:
If you visit Jill White-Huffman’s website and you disclose information that she is mandated by the law or subpoenaed to report or she believes that such action is necessary, confidentiality will be broken. If you have questions about when confidentially is broken, please read Jill’s confidentiality policy, guidelines and rules, including; abide by the law and comply with legal policies served by Jill or affiliated parties. This protects and defends Jill’s property, rights, websites and affiliated parties. Jill does all she can to protect the safety of users who visit, email, communicate or use her site. If there are other sites linked to Jill White-Huffman’s site, Jill is not responsible information or content from another website. It is important that you understand if you visit another website after viewing Jill’s website, there is a chance your personal information could be compromised. Jill is not responsible for other websites linked to or from her website and privacy is no longer in effect. If you visit Jill White-Huffman’s website, you consent to her collection of your personal information.
Jill may use “cookies” to track and record information about her website visitors to help ensure that all information is accurate for those users who move from screen to screen, as well as to keep information private and protected. She uses other websites to further educate users about different topics. Jill is not responsible for the policies and privacy practices or the content of these websites. Therefore, if you click on to any of these websites, you may be disclosing your private information to them and this releases Jill from disclosing your personal and private information. Jill uses updated technology to respect the security of her clients to protect against loss, misuse or alteration of personal information and there are times when Jill will update her private policy statement. If you have any questions about Jill’s privacy statement or the practices of this site, please feel free to contact her at 336-855-1860
Jill White-Huffman's Private Practice Social Media Policy
I have provided this document for you because it outlines my policies related to use of social media. Please read it to understand how I conduct myself on the Internet as a Licensed School Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Marriage Family Therapist, and Licensed Massage Bodywork Therapist, and how you can expect me to respond to various interactions that may occur between us on the Internet. If you have any questions about anything within this document, I encourage you to contact me by phone at 336-855-1860 or by email at jwhite_huffman@yahoo.com Please note that as the Internet changes and new technology develops, I encourage you to check my updates to this policy periodically.
Friend Requests
It is impossible for me not to accept friend or contact requests from the many different social networking sites that exist today (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), especially since I participate in so many events, TV programs and etc. throughout the public/community here in Greensboro. However, I am unable to answer questions presented to me via social sites that may compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. Another reason why I refuse to answer questions is because it may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up when we meet and we can talk more about it. I keep all social media networks professional and most posts will be about health-related topics or events as well as other businesses promoting their practices. Most of all of the information shared on this page is available on my website.
Following
My primary concern is your privacy. You are welcome to use your own discretion in choosing whether to choose to connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ or any other social media site.
If there are things from your online life that you wish to share with me, please call me at 336-855-1860 or email me at jwhite_huffman@yahoo.com
Interacting
Please do not use Social Networking to contact me, especially in the case of an emergency. These sites are not secure and I may not read these messages in a timely fashion. Engaging with me this way could compromise your confidentiality. It could also create the possibility that these exchanges become a part of your legal medical record and will need to be documented and archived in your chart.
Use of Search Engines
It is NOT a regular part of my practice to search for clients on social media sites. However, during a time of crisis, I may need to do so and this includes if it becomes a necessary part of ensuring your welfare.
Business Review Sites
You may find my counseling and private massage practice on sites or other places which list businesses online, and it is always your decision if you would like to provide testimonials, ratings, or endorsements. You will not ever be required to provide feedback as a requirement to receive services from me. For confidentiality purposes, I will never respond in a client-therapist interactive manner. By the same token, I urge you to take your own privacy as seriously as I take my commitment of confidentiality. No one will know that you are a client unless you choose to disclose this information.
I do not use email to answer or address therapy questions or concerns. I prefer using email only to arrange or modify appointments. You should also know that any emails I receive from you that do not relate to appointment changes or confirmation will become a part of your legal record.
Conclusion
I would like to take a moment to thank you for taking the time to review my social media policy. If you have questions or concerns about any of these policies and procedures, please feel free to call me at 336-855-1860 or via email at jwhite_huffman@yahoo.com