Professional Records. Documentation of sessions consists of a summary of each meeting and may include general issues addressed, possible symptom presentation or change, level of functioning, mental status, diagnosis and treatment plans. Texas law requires that I maintain appropriate treatment records for at least 7 years from the last date of service.
As a client, you have the right to obtain a copy of your records upon submission of a written authorization. The records of your treatment will contain confidential information about you. Texas law requires that all requests to review or obtain copies of your records must be made in writing. In my practice, I require that clients sign an appropriate authorization before I release any records to them. In addition, there is a fee of $25 for the first 20 pages and 50 cents for each page thereafter for paper copies and for electronic copies, the fee is $25 for records that are less than 500 pages and $50 for more than 500 pages. These fees must be paid before records will be released.
For family therapy and couples therapy, the family’s or couple’s relationship is as much of a “client” as the individual parties. For that reason, I will not release my records of family or couples counseling unless ALL adult members of the couple/family involved sign an Authorization allowing for the release of the records, or present me with a Court Order requiring that the records be released. I will provide a complete copy of my records to all adult members of the family/couple, upon receipt of the Authorization or Court Order, and payment of the records fee.
Records of therapy can be misinterpreted, and/or can be upsetting or even traumatic to lay readers. If you request a copy of your records, I will provide them to you within 15 days of receiving the request unless I believe that to do so would endanger your life or the life of another person. If I believe that I must withhold the records due to a situation involving life endangerment, I will write you a letter to explain my reasons for withholding the records and your options.
NOTICE TO CLIENTS: The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, psychological associates, social workers, and licensed specialists in school psychology. Although not every complaint against or dispute with a licensee involves professional misconduct, the Executive Council will provide you with information about how to file a complaint. Please call 1-800-821-3205 for more information.
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
George H.W. Bush State Office Building
1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300
Austin, Texas 78701
Main Line (512) 305-7700
Investigations/Complaints 24-hour, toll-free system (800) 821-3205
The Council is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., but closed on state holidays.
https://bhec.texas.gov/contact-us/
Clients may also choose to submit a consumer complaint to the Office of the Attorney General's consumer protection webpage
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection
As a client, you have the right to obtain a copy of your records upon submission of a written authorization. The records of your treatment will contain confidential information about you. Texas law requires that all requests to review or obtain copies of your records must be made in writing. In my practice, I require that clients sign an appropriate authorization before I release any records to them. In addition, there is a fee of $25 for the first 20 pages and 50 cents for each page thereafter for paper copies and for electronic copies, the fee is $25 for records that are less than 500 pages and $50 for more than 500 pages. These fees must be paid before records will be released.
For family therapy and couples therapy, the family’s or couple’s relationship is as much of a “client” as the individual parties. For that reason, I will not release my records of family or couples counseling unless ALL adult members of the couple/family involved sign an Authorization allowing for the release of the records, or present me with a Court Order requiring that the records be released. I will provide a complete copy of my records to all adult members of the family/couple, upon receipt of the Authorization or Court Order, and payment of the records fee.
Records of therapy can be misinterpreted, and/or can be upsetting or even traumatic to lay readers. If you request a copy of your records, I will provide them to you within 15 days of receiving the request unless I believe that to do so would endanger your life or the life of another person. If I believe that I must withhold the records due to a situation involving life endangerment, I will write you a letter to explain my reasons for withholding the records and your options.
NOTICE TO CLIENTS: The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, psychological associates, social workers, and licensed specialists in school psychology. Although not every complaint against or dispute with a licensee involves professional misconduct, the Executive Council will provide you with information about how to file a complaint. Please call 1-800-821-3205 for more information.
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
George H.W. Bush State Office Building
1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300
Austin, Texas 78701
Main Line (512) 305-7700
Investigations/Complaints 24-hour, toll-free system (800) 821-3205
The Council is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., but closed on state holidays.
https://bhec.texas.gov/contact-us/
Clients may also choose to submit a consumer complaint to the Office of the Attorney General's consumer protection webpage
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection