Authorization For Release Of Child And Dependent Adult Abuse: Fill & Download for Free

I was the youngest of four kids. Two older brothers, one older sister and myself (also female).My mother was schizophrenic. My father was a narcissist. Both were untreated and drunk. They would both drink a minimum of a bottle of sherry each, every day. (Usually two each but sometimes money was tight.) I remember that one time the liquor store refused to sell them any more alcoholic beverages. That resulted in a two hour drive to go to the next closest liquor store and a nightmare for us kids that were trapped in the car.I was taught from birth that loyalty to family was unconditional. Airing the family’s ‘dirty laundry’ would result in a fate worse then death. I believed it.We lived surrounded by woods in the middle of nowhere. There were very few neighbours and we were ‘encouraged’ to keep our distance.My parents were extremely abusive in a multitude of ways dependent upon the child and their current life choices.The eldest boy was the least abused. He was smart and quick. By the time my father met my mother he was already seven years old and had not yet experienced abuse. That changed after the wedding but he adapted and managed to avoid the worst of it by cowering and deferring the attention elsewhere. He left home at sixteen.The second boy was the most abused by far. His abuse started when he was four years old, as that was when my father married my mother. He was beaten every day. Literally every single day of his life until he left home at fourteen. He was also molested by my father during those ten years. He did tell adults about the abuse but that resulted in him being branded a “troublemaker” by the authorities and his most severe beatings ever. He was nine at the time.My elder sister was abused sexually, mentally and emotionally. Her physical abuse was only on rare occasions when there was no other child available to take the rage out on. She left home at sixteen.My abuse was across the board. My parents had three other children to hone their skills on. By the time I came, they had figured out what worked best. I moved out at fourteen.All four of us have demons that ride our backs. We all have mental health issues from being raised the way we were.The eldest boy has always been quite successful financially and employment wise. His personal life was very chaotic and the cycle of abuse was continuing until he was in his late thirties. Then he met his wife. She taught him how to properly express himself without being abusive. It took time for him to learn those skills but she was a rock and stood by him every step of the way. They have been together twelve years now.The second boy was not as fortunate. He spent most of his life in jail after leaving home. He became a thief, drug addict and a drunk as well as extremely abusive. When he was twenty-four he committed a murder and then spent the next twenty years in prison. During that time he cleaned himself up and got sober. He finished his schooling and seemed to be moving forward. Shortly after his release, he succumbed to the booze. So the cycle continues…My elder sister is schizophrenic as well. She ran away with a ‘bad boy’ when she was sixteen. She was constantly and brutally abused by him until he left her when she was thirty-two. During those sixteen years they were together she became a drug addict, a drunk and a prostitute. Since they split, she has sobered up and obtained gainful employment. She believes in herself and that she deserves to be safe. She is happier then I ever could have imagined. She now has a child and I’m confident that he will never experience abuse from her.Then there is me. I think I’m the lucky one. My mental health issues have blocked most of my childhood out. The memories I do have are pretty horrific so I can’t imagine how bad the missing ones are. I left home at fourteen after I got my first job. I rarely drank and stayed away from drugs as I was so trained to be alert and on edge. To willingly give up control was beyond my ability. I eventually finished my schooling and went to college. I stayed gainfully employed for all those years. I avoided relationships with other people until I was in my early thirties. Then I met someone who took the time to peel back my layers and help me discover who I really am (or could be). They taught me that family loyalty is bullshit and to be loyal to those whom have earned it. That person did earn my loyalty. So I married them. We have an absolutely amazing daughter who will never have to worry about things like abuse or untreated mental illness.It is possible to recover from the trauma of abuse. The road is very long. It is important to remember that the person you are today (at this very moment) is a result of your yesterdays. The person you will be in the future is going to be a result of your todays. So make each and every today a good and safe one. That way tomorrow is already taken care of.

UPFRONT DISCLAIMER: KNOW THE LAWS IN YOUR JURISDICTION!The American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethics Code for Psychotherapy requires that all psychologists discuss the limits of confidentiality with their clients during in an informed consent agreement at the start of treatment (Standard 4.02, Title 10.36.05.08A). Further, the informed consent information must be given to the client in understandable language (Standard 3.10a). If you're in therapy, look back to the informed consent document that you agreed to at the start of treatment.There are several instances where psychologists are allowed to break confidentiality without the client's consent. For typical psychotherapy (e.g., individual therapy, not court-ordered, not a forensic or corporate evaluation) it is my understanding that, currently, the most common cases are as follows:The client is at significant risk of harming themselves or others. Psychologists are allowed to break confidentiality if they believe that a client is in imminent danger of harming themselves (Knapp & VandeCreek, 2006). Psychologists have a duty to break confidentiality if they believe that their client is at risk of harming/killing someone and there is no reasonable alternative (e.g., hospitalizing the client; Knapp & VandeCreek, 2006). Some states have very specific laws regarding the psychologist's duty to commit, treat, or warn.There is evidence of child abuse. In many states, such as Maryland, practitioners and educators are mandated to report the reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a minor (a child under 18; Family Law Article § 5-701). How abuse and neglect are defined differs from state to state. Often abuse includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. However, not all states include emotional abuse in their reporting laws (Twaite & Rodriguez-Srednicki, 2004). In some states, mandated reporters must report past abuse/neglect of an adult if it occurred when the client was a minor.There is evidence of abuse to a vulnerable adult. (The definition of a “vulnerable adult” is typically an adult who lacks the physical and mental capacity to provide for their daily needs.) Some states, such as Maryland, require that health practitioners make a report if they have reason to believe their vulnerable adult client has been subject to abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation (Family Law Article § 14-101). Other states, such as Colorado, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, encourage but do not require reporting (Welfel, Danzinger, & Santoro, 2000).Treatment of minors. In some states, clinicians may disclose any treatment information of a minor to their parent/guardian without the minor's consent, unless an agreement is signed by all parties that specifies otherwise.There is a court order to release the information. In most states, psychologists must comply with a judge's court order for the release of an individual's medical records. However, each state has its own laws about client-therapist privilege (DeBell & Jones, 1997).The client initiates litigation against the psychologist. If a clinician is being investigated, they may be required to disclose medical records to health and licensing boards for investigations for licensure, certification, or disciplinary action. They may also be required to disclose medical records for criminal investigations.The client is involved in litigation and introduces his relationship with the psychologist into evidence. It's my understanding that in some states, this is an exception to confidentiality.The client is impaired and requires involuntary treatment. Depending on the state, a patient can be involuntary committed by court order or by the provider if deemed necessary. When a client is transferred to new treatment facility, medical records are often allowed to be disclosed to the center or another health care provider without the client's authorization.Now, there are also special cases. For example, can a couple's therapist break confidentiality and tell the wife something she [the therapist] was told by the husband in private? How does confidentiality work for a "mature" or "emancipated" minor? If military personnel see a military doctor, is their session confidential? Etc. There are too many corner cases to get into in a simple answer here.The bottom line: Laws related to confidentiality are complex. The above is an overview, in very broad strokes, of common principles related to exceptions to confidentiality for psychologists. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list or to provide definitive answers for all readers. Know the laws in your jurisdiction! If you are a client and are unfamiliar with the laws that govern your treatment, speak with your clinician. They have an obligation to explain the informed consent you both agreed to at the start of treatment in an understandable way. If you are a treatment provider and are interested in staying up to date on the latest changes to state and federal law, contact your state psychological association.Further reading:Barnett, J.E., & Johnson, W.B. (2008). Ethics Desk Reference for Psychologists. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

If there is threat that you intend to harm another person the counsellor must inform the person and/or the authorities.If there is threat that you intend to harm yourself the counsellor must inform the authorities.If there is suspicion that a child or dependent adult is being subject to abuse and/or neglect the counsellor must inform the authorities.If a court of law orders the counsellor to release records, the counsellor must comply.If you sue the counsellor then your records may become evidence in a trial.