Would you release your therapy notes to the police?

[Sideways]

The police have asked me to consent to the release of my pdoc’s therapy notes. I’ve made a formal complaint about my the abuse I underwent at school when I was 12. But it also contains some limited details of sexual abuse that occurred when I was a little kid, which involves members of my family.

If the police pursue the matter in court, my therapy notes would become evidence available to the defence to use against me. It would also potentially make all of the unrelated abuse involving my family to become a matter of public record.

But, the notes are also going to support my case...I think.

The potential ramifications seem too big though. Would you ever consent to the release of your treatment notes? Is there something obvious to consider that I’m missing?

 

[scout86]

My first thought was "no". I took a minute to think about that and now my answer is "Hell no!". Seems like there's other stuff they could do, like interview your T. Do they even have the qualifications to understand what they're reading? I don't know how the law works there, would the defense also be able to read those notes? You MIGHT want to talk to a lawyer, if you're thinking about releasing them.

 

[anonymous]

Are medical records of a minor not sealed?

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I agree with scout that talking to a really good attorney would be the best place to find some legal answers.

 

[Stephernovas]

Isn't your therapist able to filter through whatever you consent to?

 

[ladee]

If there was a way to only send what pertained to the trauma that would be on trial.. I would do it... I don't know why they would need anything else.... Prayers for your mom.... don't know if I will get used to not calling you Ragdoll...setting with you.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I'm mostly on the "Hell, NO" side of it. You have NO idea what would come of the info, and we know we can't REALLY trust the police! For SURE talk to a lawyer...and if they take it to court it would make them more liable, I think?

But, your T might be able to redact what would not be pertinent to your case, as well as already knowing the answers to this question.

 

[littleoc]

When my university asked for therapy notes, they didn't literally mean the therapy notes. They had me sign a release stating that for one month, and NO LONGER and not at any other time ever, they could call my therapist, and she could talk only about the relevant issue. Nothing else.

The police literally wanting the notes is a little alarming, and with no legal-like work such as "we can only talk about this one thing, and not your childhood, and for only the duration of the investigation," -- I have to agree that a lawyer/attorney may be in your best interest here.

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

I personally wouldn’t but then I’m not in your situation and I don’t know for certain what I would do.

One thing I thought was that to potentially hear my own words used against me from what is the safe space Of therapy could put me off sharing in therapy again. Then I have a bit of issues with sharing in therapy and anything that might jeopardise my future progress in therapy is something I’d personally steer clear of. But again I’m not in your situation so that’s just my opinion from my own background and point of view.

 

[Stephernovas]

your therapist's office should have a consent form and the restrictions for all that. Littleoc is right. Consent forms are time-limited, and they have their own rules of confidentiality to go with them. I'm sure your therapist will help you iron out what is applicable information.

At one point, worker's comp tried to ask my therapist for a summary of how I was doing (I was seeing a therapist after my accident, but before they approved funding for it - so essentially I was paying out of pocket). I told my therapist I did not consent to her sending them any information about me until the time of when they actually started funding the sessions. She listened, and now (because they are paying for the sessions) they are allowed periodic updates. However, at the end of the day it's still my information so I could decline, but then that would have consequences of them not paying for future sessions.

Just remember at the end of the day you have control over the information.

 

[EveHarrington]

It will result in an automatic reporting of the childhood sexual abuse (if not already reported). Has the childhood sexual abuse been reported before?

 

[Stephernovas]

It will result in an automatic reporting of the childhood sexual abuse

I don't think so. Not unless the child in question is still underage and believed to be at risk of harm