Access Your Records
As a counseling client or the legal guardian of a minor in treatment, you have the legal right to review the counseling record in a timely fashion. Ms. Vann writes notes on a paper form during the session and stores the record in a paper chart. Upon request, Ms, Vann will show the client the note that is being written in the session. In cases where a minor is being seen, Ms. Vann may discourage reading the actual session note in order to protect the privacy of the minor and not compromise the therapeutic relationship.
Below is the current statute that Ms. Vann follows per her licensing board:
681.36. Client Records.
(a) For each client, a licensee must keep accurate records of:
(1) signed informed consent, signed written receipt of
information, or, in the case of involuntary treatment, a
copy of the appropriate court order;
(2) intake assessment;
(3) dates of counseling treatment intervention;
(4) principal treatment methods;
(5) progress notes;
(6) treatment plan; and
(7) billing information.
(b) In the absence of applicable state and federal laws, rules or
regulations, records held by a licensee must be kept for a
minimum of seven (7) years from the date of termination of
services with the client, or five (5) years after the client
reaches the age of majority, whichever is greater.
(c) Records created by a licensee during the scope of
employment with an agency or institution must be
maintained by the licensee unless the records are
maintained by the employer.
Once a request for a copy of the records is made via email, phone call, or in person, Ms. Vann has up to 15 business days to provide a copy of the requested records. Please refer to your Counseling Agreement for pricing of the photocopies, notary public services, and other related information. Depending on the nature of the request, a Release of Information may be required, and/or she may recommend a treatment summary in place of the session notes. If picking up the records, a photo ID and signature on a confirmation page will be required, in addition to the applicable payment.
Your counseling record is kept confidential with certain legal exceptions outlined in your signed Counseling Agreement. Your active client record is kept at the office where counseling sessions are conducted. However, after 2 years of inactivity, your chart is moved offsite to an undisclosed location to be kept for the remaining required years until it is shredded.
If Ms. Vann may be incapacitated or deceased, your record will still be accessible to be sent to your new treatment provider. You can email the office, Lori@LoriVann.com or complete the Contact form on any of the websites: www.VannWellness.com, www.InstituteforNSSI.com, or www.LoriVann.com. A designated party will review your request and contact you regarding next steps in obtaining a photocopy of your record. Upon request, a list of counseling referrals will be provided to you by one of Ms. Vann’s associates. You can also directly reach out to one of the Team Members, www.VannWellness.com/Staff, or local Coppell counselor, Verda Lawson, LPC-S. The Estate and Practice will be handled by Monty Guthrie, Business Analyst, and Charlotte Roach, a paralegal.
Local Counseling Groups for Referrals: Taylor Counseling (12 locations in Texas), Foundations Counseling (Southlake and Colleyville), Dr. Julie Benvenuto, LPC, in Southlake, and Life Tree Counseling in Frisco.