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Confidentiality
Counseling often
involves sharing personal and private information by clients with their
counselor. In order to maintain feelings of trust and safety, visits
to the Student Counseling Center are considered confidential. No one
outside the center is given any information regarding what is revealed
in counseling or even that a student has made an appointment to see
a counselor unless we have written permission to do so. This includes,
but is not limited to, family, spouse, romantic partners, friends, co-workers,
employers, professors, or university officials outside the Student Counseling
Center, even if the student was referred by this person. No information
becomes part of a student's academic record.
In order to provide
the best possible service to meet a student's needs, professional counselors
in the Student Counseling Center may consult with each other. These
consultations are for professional purposes only and are aimed at providing
the best possible care for all clients. The consultant is, of course,
also legally bound to keep the information confidential.
There are some situations in which we are legally required to take action
to protect others from harm, even though that requires revealing some
information about a client's treatment. For example, if we believe that
a child, an elderly person, or a disabled person is being abused, we must
file a report with the appropriate state agency. Also, if we believe that
a student is immediately and seriously dangerous to himself/herself or
to an identifiable third person, we are legally required to try to keep
the student and others safe. Lastly, an exception to confidentiality may
occur when disclosure is made necessary by legal proceedings. These situations
rarely arise. Should such a situation occur, we would make every effort
to fully discuss it with you before taking any action.
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