Can a clinician withhold a client's records if the client fails to pay their bill?

Withholding a client's records due to non-payment is generally not permissible. Ethical guidelines and legal standards in mental health practice emphasize the importance of maintaining client autonomy and dignity. It is essential for clients to access their records as it is considered their right regardless of their payment status.

The ethical obligation to provide access to records stems from the understanding that clients may need their information for ongoing care or other purposes, irrespective of any financial obligations they may have. Consequently, withholding records could jeopardize the client’s welfare and violate ethical norms.

Additionally, while contracts and agreements might outline payment terms, they cannot supersede the ethical requirements for access to mental health records. Thus, it is clear that ethical practice mandates that clinicians must not restrict access to records based solely on financial issues, which reinforces the understanding that clients should always have full access to their personal treatment information.