Counseling Services Confidentiality Policy
Counseling may involve sharing sensitive, personal and private information. Recognizing this, laws and ethical guidelines require all interactions with Counseling Services, including the content of your sessions, your records, scheduling of or attendance at appointments, and progress in counseling to remain confidential. No record of counseling is contained in any academic, educational or job placement file. You have a right to privacy, and we will guard that right as much as permitted by the law and ethical standards. However, there are a few exceptions to confidentiality. Under the following conditions, laws and ethical guidelines may require us to release confidential information without your consent:
- When there is imminent (immediate) danger to yourself or others.
- When we learn that a child, disabled adult, or elderly adult has been abused or neglected.
- When we are ordered to release information to a court of law.
- When you disclose that an individual with whom you received counseling in the State of Texas has behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner towards you (your identity may remain anonymous).
- In some cases (but not all), if you are a minor (under 18), your parents or legal guardian must give consent and may access your records. We hope that you understand that in cases of imminent danger, child endangerment, or professional misconduct, the law and professional ethics set the protection of life and safety as the highest priority.