What are my rights as a therapy client?

You have the right to seek a second opinion from another therapist, ask about your therapist's credentials including education and licenses, and end treatment at any time for any reason.

How does HIPAA protect my therapy records?

HIPAA is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of your health information. You have the right to access your records, request corrections, know how your information is used, request restrictions on sharing, receive confidential communications, and file a complaint if your privacy rights are violated.

What is a dual relationship in therapy?

A dual relationship is when a therapist has a second, different kind of relationship with their client outside of the professional one, whether romantic, financial, sexual, or otherwise. This is never appropriate as it can compromise the therapist's judgment and the quality of care.

How do I file a complaint with DOPL in Utah?

You can file a complaint with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) online at dopl.utah.gov/file-a-complaint or by phone at 801-530-6628. DOPL handles reports of unethical or unlawful conduct by licensed providers.

Client Rights & Responsibilities

Your rights as a client, our policies on professional boundaries, and how to file a complaint.

Client Rights

Your mental health care is your right. This means you have the right to:

Seek a second opinion. You can consult with another therapist or mental health professional at any point in your treatment.
Ask about your therapist's credentials. You can ask for information about their education, licenses, and areas of expertise.
End treatment at any time. You are in control of your care and can choose to stop therapy whenever you wish, for any reason.

Your Privacy Under HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of your health information. At Monarch Family Counseling, we are committed to safeguarding your protected health information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

Under HIPAA, you have the right to:

Access your records. You can request a copy of your mental health records at any time.
Request corrections. If you believe information in your record is incorrect or incomplete, you can ask us to amend it.
Know how your information is used. You have the right to receive a notice explaining how your health information may be used and shared.
Request restrictions. You can ask us to limit how we use or share your information, though we are not required to agree to every request.
Receive confidential communications. You can ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a specific location to protect your privacy.
File a complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

For more details on how we handle your information, please review our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Dual Relationship Statement

Engaging in a dual relationship with a therapist, whether romantic, financial, sexual, or otherwise, is never appropriate. A dual relationship is when a therapist has a second, different kind of relationship with their client outside of the professional one. This kind of relationship can compromise the therapist's judgment and impact the quality of care they provide.

If a therapist attempts to engage in a dual relationship with you, you should report it to the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). This protects you and helps to ensure that other people receive safe and professional care.

How to Make a Complaint with DOPL

We value your feedback and are committed to providing the highest quality of care. If you have a concern about our services, we encourage you to speak with us first so we can try to resolve it with you directly.

Should there be unethical or unlawful conduct, you always have the right to file a report with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) at any time. This is the appropriate channel for reporting unethical or unlawful conduct by a licensed provider, such as:

Sexual or romantic misconduct with a client
Violations of confidentiality
Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Fraud
Other actions as outlined by their identified code of ethics

To file a complaint online, visit dopl.utah.gov/file-a-complaint. To make a complaint by phone, call 801-530-6628.