We understand that during the course of treatment, you may be asked to provide documentation to outside systems such as
attorneys, courts, schools, employers, disability programs, insurance companies, or other agencies. We are happy to support
appropriate requests while also helping you protect your privacy and understand what information may be disclosed.

Documentation Fee: Requests for letters, forms, reports, or other documents requiring clinician review and signature are subject
to a $50 documentation fee per signature. In addition:
• Paperwork requests require a minimum 48-hour turnaround.
• Records are maintained per HIPAA and NYS LMHC standards.

Because psychotherapy records can contain highly sensitive information, clinical impressions, historical information, and details
involving family members, partners, children, or other individuals discussed during treatment, our practice does not routinely
recommend releasing an entire clinical record when a more limited form of documentation may meet the purpose of the request.

When appropriate, we can provide more focused documentation such as:
• Attendance or treatment verification
• Narrative treatment letters
• Progress summaries or progress reports
• Other clinically appropriate documentation tailored to the specific request

Please Use Care When Signing Authorization or HIPAA Release Forms
If you are presented with a HIPAA authorization, medical records release, subpoena-related authorization, or other form requesting access to your mental health records, we strongly encourage you to review the form carefully and speak with your clinician before signing whenever possible.
Some authorization forms are written broadly and may permit an attorney, court, agency, or other third party to request a much larger portion of your record than you may realize. Depending on the wording of the authorization, this can potentially include
extensive treatment history, diagnoses, clinical impressions, symptoms, personal disclosures, and information involving other people who have been discussed during your sessions.
Once you authorize the release of records, the receiving party may be permitted to review and use the information within the scope of that authorization. In legal or court-related matters, information contained in a clinical record may also be interpreted or used differently than it would be within a therapeutic setting. For this reason, we encourage clients to understand exactly what records are being requested, who will receive them, the purpose of the request, and whether the authorization can be limited to specific information or a specific time period before signing.
Your clinician can help you understand what types of documentation our practice can provide and whether a more focused
document, such as an attendance record, narrative treatment letter, or progress summary, may appropriately address the request
while limiting unnecessary disclosure of sensitive treatment information.
Please note: Your clinician cannot provide legal advice. If you have questions about the legal consequences of signing an
authorization, subpoena, or court-related document, you may also wish to consult with your attorney before signing.
Our goal is to support your needs while protecting your privacy, maintaining appropriate clinical boundaries, and limiting disclosure
to information that is reasonably necessary whenever possible.