Confidentiality in Treatment

Ridgeline Counseling and its counselor practice within the scope of the code of ethics established by the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the rules and statutes pertaining to counseling practice established by the State of Idaho. Ridgeline Counseling will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of its consumers by protecting any information that is confidential or private regarding the client. This information is shared only when the client gives permission or if legally or ethically required. The limits to consumer confidentiality, as dictated by law and/or ethical standards, include:

• Reporting to appropriate state agencies of any of the following situations if reported to or observed by the counselor: Abuse or neglect of a child, vulnerable adult, and/or disabled person.

• Reporting to law enforcement of any of the following situations if reported to or observed by the counselor: Consumer intends to harm themselves or others, illegal activity of the consumer that poses imminent threat to others or themselves.

• Reporting to identified third parties of any of the following situations if reported to or observed by the counselor: The consumer has a commonly known communicable and life-threatening disease, which  is disclosed to the counselor, and the third party is at serious and foreseeable risk of contracting the disease.

Information Gathered via Internet Ad Campaigns

As part of Ridgeline Counseling's efforts to do business, which includes gaining leads and clients via internet ad campaigns, it is necessary to request basic contact information. This basic contact information may include, information already available to the public such as first and last name. Ridgeline Counseling will also request information that may not already be public information such as personal email address and/or personal phone number. Ridgeline Counseling will not request any medical information including but not limited to: diagnoses, medications, other medical provider information, etc. via any internet ad campaign or website outside of Ridgeline Counseling's client portal which is compliant with current HIPAA laws. Basic contact information gathered by Ridgeline Counseling via will be used for scheduling purposes and will not be shared or distributed to any person or organization outside of Ridgeline Counseling without the consent of the client.