Bill of Rights

BILL OF RIGHTS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY 

You have the right to: 

  1. Receive treatment in a safe, considerate, and respectful manner and setting 

  2. Care that is free from discrimination. This means you should not be treatment differently because of your: 

  3. Age 

  4. Race 

  5. Ethnicity 

  6. Religion 

  7. Spirituality 

  8. Culture 

  9. Language 

  10. Physical or mental disability 

  11. Socioeconomic status 

  12. Sex 

  13. Sexual orientation 

  14. Gender identity or expression 

  15. Get important information about your care in a language that you understand. If it is clinically inadvisable to give you such information, it will be given to a legally authorized representative 

  16. To receive information necessary for you to give informed consent prior to a procedure or treatment, including a description of the procedure or treatment, any potential risks or benefits, probable duration of treatment, and any alternatives 

  17. Every consideration for privacy throughout your treatment, including, but not limited to, the following: case discussions, consultations, examinations, and treatment. All communications and records pertaining to the your care will be treated as confidential 

  18. Know the names and credentials of the healthcare professionals who provide you your treatment 

  19. Participate in the development, review, and decisions of your treatment; except in emergencies 

  20. Refuse treatment 

  21. Make complaints and to have your complaints heard and adjudicated promptly 

  22. If you have a complaint, please speak with your healthcare provider regarding your concerns 

  23. You have the right to have a personal representative, also called an advocate, with you during your care. Your advocate is a family member or friend of your choice. For more information, please visit https://www.patientadvocate.org/ 

  24. If you are not comfortable speaking with your healthcare provider, feel free to contact:

    California

    Board of Psychology

    1625 North Market Blvd, Suite N-215

    Sacramento, CA 95834

    https://www.breeze.ca.gov/datamart/mainMenu.do;jsessionid=SmEciglrGtif7eyJTN85mPBzixQI-mQ3kpsUn9FK.vo-7-d22rf 

New York

Please visit http://www.op.nysed.gov/opd/complain.htm to learn more about how to file a complaint.

Pennsylvania

Please visit https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/FileaComplaint/Pages/default.aspx to learn more about how to file a complaint.

What is your role in your health care? 

It is your responsibility to participate fully in the decisions involving your health care and to accept the consequences of these decisions if complications occur. You should ask questions about your care and pay attention to instructions given to you by your healthcare provider.  

As required by the state of California, please visit https://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/proftherapy.pdf to know the details about the process of therapy and how it never include sexual behaviors. Please let me know if you have any questions.

References 

These Patient Rights combine Joint Commission, American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), National Institutes of Health – Clinical Center, and 55 Pa. Code §  5100.4 (relating to scope); 55 Pa. Code §  5100.52 (relating to statement of principle); 55 Pa. Code §  5200.47 (relating to other applicable regulations); 55 Pa. Code §  5210.56 (relating to other applicable regulations); 55 Pa. Code §  5320.22 (relating to governing body); and 55 Pa. Code §  5320.45 (relating to staff orientation and training).