Clinical Psychologist - privacy guidelines around sensitive information clarification please...

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I have just started seeing a clinical psychologist, he told me about privacy which I understand. However, I want to discuss some sensitive information and provide him with sensitive documents that I don't want other people or third party agencies to know about. I called AHPRA today and they referred me to the APS Code of ethics which is a legally binding document. However, I am still uncertain about whether a clinical psychologist can retain a sensitive file and less sensitive file. I am just concerned about third party agencies like Centrelink, insurers, worksafe etc finding out about sensitive information that is not relevant and then using that against me. I just feel that people should be able to consult with professionals without having to worry about this kind of thing. I also don't want him to keep an electronic file. Maybe I should discuss this with him at our next session, any advice would be appreciated.

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Thanks it's my psychologist not the GPs conduct that I am concerned about. He hasn't really given me any assurances re disclosure of sensitive information. He did not identify the former patient who was stalking him but went into too much detail of what she was doing and also disclosed she's had previous intervention orders taken out against her and went into great detail of her threats towards him and his young son as well as details of the court hearing and that she's a harmless borderline who comes past his practice from time to time. Seriously 😒 I am freaking out and feel frightened. I need his assurances that I am safe when I come to see him.

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Can anyone tell me what Jeffrey Young's schema questionnaire is and how it is scored. It is the short form questionnaire he has asked me to complete but he didn't really tell me anything other than that it measures schemas, maladaptive schemas in childhood.

[smallwolf]

Tweet-Heart,

There is a article on Schema Therapy on Wikipedia page that should tell you all about it, however it wont tell you about scoring. That said, the scores would be used to determine what categories (broadly speaking) would apply to the user.

Tim

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Thanks Tim that's very useful information

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I am seeing this Friday, he will want to talk to me about how I rang him two weeks ago having a panic attack. I'll just be straight with him and let him know why it's due to what he told me triggering the nightmares and the nuisance calls to my landline where the caller hangs up that is what caused me to have a panic attack. I want to maintain a good relationship in a safe environment so will raise this in a calm way and just ask for his assurances that I am safe when I visit his practice.

[Tweet-Heart]

I saw him today and feel so much better. He told me to trust him and allow him to look through my hospital records. I let him keep all my hospital records. He wants to see me again within a fortnight.

[blondguy]

Hi Tweet

Thanks for posting back and being with us!

You have done so well with your appointment on Friday 🙂 There is nothing better than good news and good on you! I know you mentioned that you felt so much better after your appointment. Did you have a feeling of relief too?

You are amazing Tweet and good on you for being straight with him too....That takes great courage!

Great Stuff and thankyou for being here with us 🙂

Paul

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Hi Paul

Thanks, he told me to trust him so I let him take all my hospital records. He seems to think I may be suffering from chronic ptsd and he is astounded that none of my former treating psychiatrists ever asked or wanted to explore previous trauma. Although not familiar with the APS 2 part record keeping process he assured me all sensitive records will remain confidential and can't be accessed by anyone including Centrelink or insurers. The only exception is under subpoena which is probably not applicable in this case. The schema questionnaire not a diagnostic tool but is useful to identify relevant schemes. I told him I would complete the questionnaire but only because he asked me to and because Oprah talked about it on her program.

[Tweet-Heart]

I want to add the reason he wants to see me earlier than a fortnight is due to the past traumatic events. He insists on me doing the schema questionnaire which I really don't want to do. I feel like my ptsd symptoms are coming back since our last session, I have been tossing and turning in bed, having nightmares, very edgy, staying up until late at night not wanting to go to bed as I am scared the perpetrator might come to my house, I feel like I am drowning and I am hyperventilating. I told him I rang him as I was having a panic attack and he said he couldn't tell over the phone ! I feel like I am reliving the awful events that occurred over 10 years ago !

I feel like telling him something very bad is about to happen, something really catastrophic I think I might need to keep a symptom diary and let him know when I see him next as this is really scaring me.

I can't bear to go into any workplace as I am constantly looking over my shoulder, because he told me a former patient has stalked him in the past I deliberately did a safety scan before I went into the room for our consultation, I checked the exits, if there were any cameras, if the doors were locked, curtains were drawn etc. He doesn't know I did this but I am feeling really scared.

[blondguy]

Hi Tweet

Good on you for posting back.....and thankyou heaps too!

You mentioned "He insists on me doing the schema questionnaire which I really don't want to do" Many people dont want to do any questionnaire on mental health....You are not alone with feeling that way...I felt the same back in the 1980's when I was trying find some peace with my chronic anxiety

I understand this is very hard to do when our mind is in 'overdrive' thinking about what 'might' happen. My counselor was no different than yours...I had a mental health worker offer to help me on the condition that I attended an appointment with him every week....and no excuses. (He was trying help me 'own' my illness and attend counseling every week so he could help me more effectively)

Feeling the hesitation and fear with further appointments is common with a psychologist....I was beside myself after my first visit and was stressed out big time before my second weekly visit as well.....until he had me crying about what was buried in my past.......It can sometimes feel awful for sure...

Its only what I have studied Tweet.....but when we eventually start crying is the true start of our recovery process (it took me 3 - 4 visits to cry) Thats why the box of tissues is on the table at your appointment!

The crying is truly 'letting go' and allowing your counselor help you help yourself find some peace. Yes, it feels awful crying... yet this is an important part of the recovery process. Crying will provide you with some peace of mind Tweet even though it may be difficult at the time. The next day is a different story....you will notice that you have less weight on you shoulders. It may take many visits....yet the end result is worth it

I hope this has helped....even a little Tweet

Great work for having the strength and determination to heal 🙂

you are amazing

my kindest thoughts

Paul