Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a central value at Counseling Services. Creating a trusting environment by respecting student privacy encourages honesty on the part of the student and helps create a safe, trusting environment for the process of psychotherapy.

As counselors, we work to respect a student's trust and keep session information private by restricting access to records and other forms of information. Counselors may discuss students in a supervisory setting within the Counseling Service. However, information will not be given to anyone outside the Counseling Service without a student's formal consent or permission. This includes parties who may contact Counseling Services out of concern for a student including parents, teachers, deans, or coaches. In the case where a student is receiving coordinated support from both Counseling Services and Health Services (i.e.: disordered eating, head trauma), information will be shared among treatment team members in a secure format.

There is only one exception to the rule of confidentiality. Law and professional ethics require us to intervene when, in our judgement, there is imminent risk of danger to harm self or others, for example, suicide, assault, and child or elder abuse. In emergencies when someone is physically at risk, confidentiality must take second place; however, we would discuss the alternatives with you before taking any action that might breach confidentiality. Any questions a student has regarding our confidentiality policy can and should be brought up at their initial intake appointment.

Counseling Service Notice of Privacy Practices