Client Rights

Student Health and Counseling Services maintains all legal and ethical standards for practicing psychotherapy in the state of California. Below you will find the “Client Bill of Rights” as outlined by the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences. These are your rights as a client of our center.

• Request and receive information about the therapist’s professional capabilities, including licensure, education, training, experience, professional association membership, specialization and limitations.
• Have written information about fees, payment methods, insurance reimbursement, number of sessions, substitutions (in cases of vacation and emergencies), and cancellation policies before beginning therapy.
• Receive respectful treatment that will be helpful to you.
• A safe environment, free from sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
• Ask questions about your therapy.
• Refuse to answer any question or disclose any information you choose not to reveal.
• Request and receive information from the therapist about your progress.
• Know the limits of confidentiality and the circumstances in which a therapist is legally required to disclose information to others.
• Know if there are supervisors, consultants, students, or others with whom your therapist will discuss your case.
• Refuse a particular type of treatment, or end treatment without obligation or harassment.
• Refuse electronic recording. (but you may request it if you wish)
• Request and (in most cases) receive a summary of your file, including the diagnosis, your progress, and the type of treatment.
• Report unethical and illegal behavior by a therapist.
• Receive a second opinion at any time about your therapy or therapist’s methods.
• Have a copy of your file transferred to any therapist or agency you choose. However, your written consent (Authorization to Exchange Information) is required.