Confidentiality
Therapy is a confidential place, providing emotional safety to talk about what you need to, knowing it will be held in confidence. There are some legal limitations which I will outline below;
If there is suspected child, elder abuse, or neglect, the therapist is mandated to report this to the Protective Services.
If you are threatening to harm another person, the therapist is mandated to warn the other party.
If the therapist cannot reach you and is concerned about your safety, the police will be asked to do a well-check visit.
If the therapist is pulled into court and the judge orders the therapist to speak.
Insurance Companies or Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) audits or for billing purposes, with a signed release. Please note that Robin Kahler LMSW has no control over what the insurance company might do with your personal information.
Signed Releases of Information gives permission for the therapist to communicate to a specific person or to include them in sessions. You may choose to sign releases to family members, to a physician, or other medical providers.
If there is suspected child, elder abuse, or neglect, the therapist is mandated to report this to the Protective Services.
If you are threatening to harm another person, the therapist is mandated to warn the other party.
If the therapist cannot reach you and is concerned about your safety, the police will be asked to do a well-check visit.
If the therapist is pulled into court and the judge orders the therapist to speak.
Insurance Companies or Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) audits or for billing purposes, with a signed release. Please note that Robin Kahler LMSW has no control over what the insurance company might do with your personal information.
Signed Releases of Information gives permission for the therapist to communicate to a specific person or to include them in sessions. You may choose to sign releases to family members, to a physician, or other medical providers.
In-person Policies
No fragrance policy. Due to possible chemical sensitivities and trauma triggers all clients are asked to avoid using strong perfume or cologne.
No firearms or knives. For safety reasons, it is important to not have any weapons on site. Bringing such items into the office will be grounds for termination.
Silence in the waiting room. Due to sound travel, it is important to keep the waiting room as quiet as possible so as not to disturb sessions. Please take phone conversations outside.
The therapist will have a white-noise sound machine outside of the therapy door to reduce and muffle any sound transmission from the therapy room into the waiting room.
No firearms or knives. For safety reasons, it is important to not have any weapons on site. Bringing such items into the office will be grounds for termination.
Silence in the waiting room. Due to sound travel, it is important to keep the waiting room as quiet as possible so as not to disturb sessions. Please take phone conversations outside.
The therapist will have a white-noise sound machine outside of the therapy door to reduce and muffle any sound transmission from the therapy room into the waiting room.
COVID Policies
Sessions are available online via Zoom or in person. Sessions in person will depend on COVID numbers in the county. Mask wearing may be requested.
Other Policies
Social media, Communication, and other policies are outlined in the initial client paperwork.
Telehealth
Due to licensing regulations, clients must be physically in the state that Robin Kahler LMSW is licensed in (Michigan or Connecticut) or in a state that has approved for Telehealth Registration (Florida) at the time of service. That means if you are on vacation out of state you will not be able to keep your appointment.
Client(s) are voluntarily choosing to attend video sessions.
Client(s) and therapist agree to turn to remove any devices from the session or turn off Siri, Alexa, and the like so as not to overhear the session, as this can be a breach of confidentiality.
Clients agree not to take any screenshots or video recordings of the sessions unless discussed with and approved by Robin Kahler, LMSW.
Due to telehealth rules, all clients and therapists must be in a private room. No-one is allowed to enter the space unless a release is signed ahead of time. This policy is to protect the client’s confidentiality.
Client’s and therapists must have strong enough wi-fi speed to support telehealth and be on a private wi-fi connection (not public).
Given that telehealth is provided over the internet, it does come with possible risks. Even though VSee or equivalent HIPAA compliant video platform, it is not as confidential as coming to my office physically. Whenever using the internet, there is always a risk that transmission could be interrupted or intercepted in some way.
To support therapy sessions, it is recommended to have your computer or device on a table rather than held in your hand or on your lap and raised to eye level with enough lighting in front of you rather than behind you. When devices rest on laps or held with hands the image moves and interrupts my ability to stay present to you as part of my presence is orienting to the movement.
Client(s) are voluntarily choosing to attend video sessions.
Client(s) and therapist agree to turn to remove any devices from the session or turn off Siri, Alexa, and the like so as not to overhear the session, as this can be a breach of confidentiality.
Clients agree not to take any screenshots or video recordings of the sessions unless discussed with and approved by Robin Kahler, LMSW.
Due to telehealth rules, all clients and therapists must be in a private room. No-one is allowed to enter the space unless a release is signed ahead of time. This policy is to protect the client’s confidentiality.
Client’s and therapists must have strong enough wi-fi speed to support telehealth and be on a private wi-fi connection (not public).
Given that telehealth is provided over the internet, it does come with possible risks. Even though VSee or equivalent HIPAA compliant video platform, it is not as confidential as coming to my office physically. Whenever using the internet, there is always a risk that transmission could be interrupted or intercepted in some way.
To support therapy sessions, it is recommended to have your computer or device on a table rather than held in your hand or on your lap and raised to eye level with enough lighting in front of you rather than behind you. When devices rest on laps or held with hands the image moves and interrupts my ability to stay present to you as part of my presence is orienting to the movement.