What does a psychotherapist have discretion over regarding a patient's record?

A psychotherapist has discretion over whether to provide a summary or the entire record to a patient or relevant third parties. This reflects the professional judgment involved in considering the patient's needs, the context of the request, and the therapeutic relationship. While a patient has rights to their records under laws like HIPAA, the psychotherapist can determine the best method of sharing information that aligns with ethical practices and protects the patient's mental health.

In this context, the psychotherapist assesses what would be beneficial or possibly harmful to the patient when disclosing information, thus maintaining a balance between the patient's rights and their therapeutic needs. The ability to provide either a summary or the entire record allows for tailored communication depending on the situation.

Other considerations related to the disposal or accessibility of records (such as retention timelines, access permissions, and specific content included) are typically governed by legal regulations and ethical standards rather than solely the discretion of the therapist, limiting their control in those areas.