Confidential Therapy for Professionals: When It Needs to Be Off the Record

What Does “Off-the-Record” Therapy Mean?

In traditional therapy, your information often gets filtered through systems—insurance forms, diagnosis codes, electronic records, required disclosures.

But for some professionals, especially those in medicine, law, or leadership, that kind of exposure can feel risky.
Not emotionally risky—career risky.

Off-the-record therapy is exactly what it sounds like: care that exists outside the systems that usually track it.

• No diagnosis
• No third-party billing
• Session notes stay local—never synced to external systems

Just a confidential, protected space to be a person first—and a professional second.

Who Is This For?

I work with professionals who face unique barriers to asking for help—because in your world, vulnerability can feel like risk. You might recognize yourself if:

• Physicians & Healthcare Providers: You worry that a note could surface in a board or peer-review, so even admitting stress feels career-threatening.
• Executives & CEOs: You must project strength to investors and teams—so letting anyone see you struggle feels like losing credibility.
• Therapists & Mental Health Professionals: You’ve guided others for years, yet sitting in the client’s seat can feel disorienting—and you fear colleagues judging your competence.
• Attorneys & Legal Professionals: You’re trained to control narratives and avoid liability—so discussing your own anxiety feels like exposing a weakness.
• Dentists: Alone in the operatory, you maintain perfect composure—so admitting burnout or strain can feel impossible without risking patient confidence.
• EMTs, Paramedics & First Responders: A culture of toughness and stigma around PTSD makes asking for support feel like admitting you can’t handle the job.
• Air Traffic Controllers & Safety-Critical Operators: You face zero-margin-for-error stress daily—and disclosing distress can risk your medical clearance and livelihood.
• Law Enforcement Personnel: You’re expected to absorb trauma without flinching—and a mental health note can trigger mandatory evaluations.
• City Officials & Public Servants: Every word and action is public—so confessing burnout or doubt can invite political fallout.

If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t let this get out,”—you’re exactly who this is for. You may not want a diagnosis or file in your record. You just want a place where you can finally be real—and untracked.

Why Work With Me

I’m a licensed psychologist with advanced training in trauma, ethics, and the emotional toll of high-stakes roles. I’ve worked with physicians, attorneys, therapists, and leaders who needed somewhere to let their guard down—completely.

I understand what it means to carry big responsibilities, to be seen as the steady one, and to fear that asking for help might cost you everything. My practice is built around protecting your privacy, honoring your experience, and helping you feel like yourself again—without judgment or unnecessary paperwork.

This work is quiet, confidential, and deeply personal. Many clients find this approach transformative—though every journey is unique.

Therapy That Respects Your Professional Boundaries

If you’ve delayed getting support because of fear around board reviews, credentialing, or documentation, you’re not alone. I’ve worked with countless professionals—physicians, attorneys, faculty, and executives—who felt the same.

In my practice, we decide together:

• What gets recorded
• Why it’s clinically necessary
• How to protect your professional future while still prioritizing your healing

This isn’t about skirting responsibility. It’s about doing therapy right—with transparency, minimal documentation, and an understanding of how much you’ve already risked just by reaching out.

Your privacy, protected.

Ethics-Driven Advocacy — for You and Beyond

My advocacy doesn’t stop at the therapy room. I actively push for mental health systems that support—not penalize—high-performing professionals. I stay current on state and federal law, improve access to confidential care, and champion ethical policies that reduce stigma for those who serve others.

Because your work carries enough risk.
Getting help shouldn’t be one of them.

We understand what’s at stake.

Ethically Grounded, Clinically Excellent Mental Health Care

As a licensed Health Service Psychologist and nationally certified Healthcare Ethics Consultant (HEC-C), I’ve spent years helping professionals navigate complex ethical decisions. In my practice, confidentiality isn’t just a promise—it’s a practice rooted in experience, intention, and ongoing advocacy.

Here, you’ll receive:

• Confidential therapy that respects your licensure and leadership trajectory
• Collaborative care with shared decision-making about documentation and risk
• Support that honors your complexity—not one-size-fits-all solutions

A Quiet Invitation

If you’ve been waiting for permission, this is it.

You don’t have to carry it alone.
You don’t have to be on the record to get help.
You just have to show up—as you are.

Contact

Dr. Jenny Shields
Licensed Psychologist & Bioethicist | The Woodlands, TX
Private, limited-documentation therapy for professionals facing burnout, trauma, or anxiety.
Visit www.drjennyshields.com →

If you’re ready, I’ll meet you there—with privacy, compassion, and without judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is off-the-record therapy legal?

Yes. Many professionals pay out-of-pocket for confidential therapy that doesn’t require insurance, diagnosis, or reporting to third parties.

Can therapy be private if I’m a doctor or executive?

Absolutely. I specialize in providing care for professionals who need support without external exposure or systems oversight—session notes remain private and are never synced with billing, insurance, or credentialing platforms.

What Does “Limited Documentation” Look Like?

Your session notes focus only on treatment goals and progress—no diagnostic codes or billing records. Everything stays in my secure files and never syncs with insurance, credentialing, or employer systems.

How Do I Schedule & What Are Your Fees?

To schedule, please contact me via the website or by phone. Intake assessments are $280; ongoing 50-minute sessions are $250. All fees are paid out-of-pocket, and I’ll confirm payment details before our first meeting.

How Long Does Therapy Last?

There’s no set “end date.” Some clients meet weekly for several months; others check in periodically. We’ll agree on a plan that fits your needs and schedule—always with flexibility in mind.

Do You Offer Virtual Therapy Across States?

Yes. I offer secure telehealth sessions licensed in 43 states nationwide—so you can continue your therapy wherever your work takes you.

Dr. Jenny Shields

Visit Our Business Listing Visit Website