If your new provider would like to have information from me, then you need to sign and fill out a federally required release of information form.  This is usually called a HIPAA ROI or a "release".  

THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION FORM IS SOMETHING YOUR NEW PROVIDER NEEDS TO HAVE YOU FILL OUT AT THEIR OFFICE.  FOR A HOST OF REASONS, I AM NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THESE FORMS. 

After completing the release of information form, have your new provider mail it to my office address and I will get in touch with them as soon as I can. 

A few words about your records and your privacy:

Psychiatric records are especially protected information under state and federal law and are not releasable under many situations.  In most cases it is not in your best interest to have actual copies of your records released to anyone.  This is because information in your actual records may be highly personal and their presence in your general medical file may adversely affect your future ability to obtain health, life, and disability insurance. It may also have unforeseen impacts on your future ability to be employed  by certain military and federally regulated agencies. Finally, you should know that there is an increasing federal push towards a unified and national electronic medical record system. Thus, I cannot predict where your records may wind up once they leave my office.  It is conceivable that if they become part of your general medical file they may follow you around for the rest of your life and be accessible by any health care provider you ever see from this point forward. My impression is that most people don't really want this to happen. 

On the other hand, it may be helpful for some information about your treatment to be shared with your primary care provider or future mental health provider. In particular, information about your diagnosis or past treatments/medications that you've tried can be useful.

I've found that the best way to share information is to actually speak on the phone with your new provider.  That way I can give them the information first hand and they can ask additional questions or get clarification, and then the two of you can work out how much of what they've learned from me you want them to actually write down.  As an alternative to this, I can generate a written synopsis of treatment that contains this basic information while still preserving most of the more private aspects of your confidences. 

I hope you've found this information helpful and perhaps educational.  If you desire more information on medical records and privacy in the information age, you may want to visit websites or conduct an internet search on the topic.  You may be surprised at what you learn...