Privacy & Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a critical part of the therapeutic process.  In order to make the most progress possible, it is essential that you can trust your therapist and feel comfortable in freely talking about the most intimate and personal parts of your life, without concern that those details will be revealed to anyone else.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist.  Information is not disclosed without written permission.  The law in Illinois provides that the rule of confidentiality can only be broken in the most extreme circumstances such as:

  • Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse.  The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person.  The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
  • If a client intends to harm himself or herself.  The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety.  If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.

During your initial session, you will be provided specific information about confidentiality in what is commonly referred to as an Informed Consent Form and the Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPAA).

Please be aware that email correspondence cannot be guaranteed to be confidential, since it can potentially be breached in transit by hackers, internet service providers, or others.  For this reason, although email, like any other forms of client/therapist communication, will be considered to be private email correspondence cannot be guaranteed to be confidential.

Currently accepting new clients

Contact Dr. Bland at 773-404-8161
Office location | 856 West Buena Avenue | Chicago, IL 60613 (map)
Centrally located in the Lakeview  neighborhood (60657)
between Lincoln Park (60614) and Andersonville (60640)
Accessible by bus | Red Line | or street parking is available