The Why

When we are working with an individual, couple, family, or group of people, sometimes one or all of the parties involved also have another individual or couples therapists. Often, it can be helpful for us to touch base with the other therapist(s), to make sure that we are coordinating care, and sharing important information and clinical insights. We like to think of this as making sure that we are, “rowing in the same direction.”

Because privacy is such an important concern in therapy, therapists must get explicit, written consent from clients before discussing what happens in session, or even acknowledging to an outside party that that person is indeed in therapy with you. This is where a Release of Information (ROI) comes in. These are generally quite simple, and acknowledge that you are OK with both parties sharing information in the interest of providing better care for you and your partner or family members. These forms provide general discretion to therapists about what to share, but if there is something in particular you’d rather your therapist not share, please be sure to bring it up with them.

The How

While therapists have different ways of sharing ROIs, at Colorado Therapy Collective the way the process works is that your therapist will send you one or more forms through the client portal titled “Release of Information”, or “Release of Information - PARTNER’s Therapist.” If you are a member of a couple and your couples’ therapist from Colorado Therapy Collective would like to speak to both your therapist and your partner’s therapist, you would need to fill out TWO ROI’s - one for your individual therapist, Dr. Jane Doe, and one for your partner’s individual therapist, Johnny Appleseed, LCSW. Your partner will also need to fill out two ROI’s - one for each of these providers. Essentially, you are both consenting to allow your couples therapist to speak freely with your own therapist, and your partner’s therapist.

Be sure to fill out an ROI with your individual therapist’s information, and a separate ROI with your partner’s therapist’s information. Your couples therapist can’t even get started on scheduling a time to connect until both partners have completed their ROI’s. Don’t miss out on this powerful opportunity for improved coordination of care - fill these out right away!