Records Requests

Sometimes you want, or you need, to have copies of the psychiatric and counseling records pertaining to you or your child. It happens, and that's okay. But please be aware that our agency follows certain guidelines in order to release medical records, and what records can be released.

Parents/Clients

All record requests must be initiated by completing the form below. We do not accept faxes, mail, emails, or any other communication to request records other than this form. We do this for security purposes, and there are no exemptions to this rule. Thank you for your understanding.

a. Clinicians cannot release any type of documentation to you; you must go through this records request process if you need copies of assessments, treatment plans, etc.

b. Only parents/guardians who have documented guardianship of the client will have access to records. If there is something on our assessments that indicate that you might not have custody, we will not release any documents to you. You should be prepared to show proper documentation of your legal guardianship should it be asked.

c. If you are a parent, and the child is over 13 years of age, him/her must ALSO sign the release of information form, otherwise the request is not valid.

d. Verification of Services forms, as well as a Clinician's psychotherapy notes, are internal forms for quality assurance purposes, and are not released to the client or any other party, and are not part of the client's chart in accordance to HIPAA law.

Lawyers

Is you are submitting a subpoena for records, please make sure it is 

• accompanied by a court order (signed by the judge) or 
• a release of information signed by the client over 13 years of age, and parent/guardian if applicable.

By US Mail - Lukas Counseling - 2700 Westhall Lane 207 - Maitland FL 32751 - Please be advised that because of COVID-19, we are not at the office everyday. By Email - you can email me directly at max@lukascounseling.org 

If you are requesting the clinician's presence at court, it is highly advisable to instead replace that testimony with copies of documentation, since the Clinician will likely only recite from those records anyway, and might not provide any recommendations (especially in child-custody cases - the therapist will not make any recommendations on custody unless the therapist him/herself has been a treating clinician for ALL parties involved and is able to make such recommendation).

If your subpoena calls for in-person testimony from the Clinician, please indicate the address where all charges will be invoiced to. 

Expected charges are as follows: 

• Emailed/Mailed documentation: $1.50 per page (minimum charge of $30.00), plus mailing cost if any
• Court testimony (all-inclusive of all activities): $80.00 per hour