305. Will my psychologist talk about me to anyone else without my permission?

Additional information regarding confidentiality is covered in the question above. In general, before discussing you or your treatment with anyone else, psychologists will request that you sign a release form allowing that communication. If a psychologist receives a request for information, either on the telephone or in writing, it will usually be ignored if it does not contain a release form with your signature on it. Even with a signed release, most psychologists will contact you regarding the request for information before complying, and will not release information requested using a general release that does not specifically identify your psychological records as the subject for the release. 

Sometimes a psychologist will ask for your permission to discuss your treatment with a colleague, or to use examples from your treatment as the focus of a professional presentation. In these cases, psychologists will change vital information so that your identity will be concealed. Also, within a community mental health setting, psychologists may be supervised, and cases discussed in supervision. You should be informed of this fact if it applies, and usually you will be required to sign a release for this communication as a condition of treatment in a community mental health setting.