Is counseling confidential?
When you come to Student Counseling, we keep what you tell us (and even the fact that you’ve been to see us) confidential, revealing no information about you to anyone outside our office, including professors, administrators, family, or friends. And our records stay in-house, separate from your academic and/or medical records. If you want us to talk with someone about you or your situation, we’ll be happy to do so, but only after you’ve signed a release of information form, explicitly giving us your permission. To help you get the most out of your time with us, your counselor may consult with his or her Student Counseling supervisors and/or colleagues about his or her work with you. However, everyone who works for us is bound by the same rules of confidentiality, so all information stays with the team. There are a few exceptions to our confidentiality policy. The state of Florida requires disclosure without written or verbal consent when there is a suspicion of child and/or elder abuse
The therapeutic relationship is confidential, which means your counselor will not give out any information about you without your written consent. State law and ethical standards of psychology require that we report information about you in the following circumstances: • If there is a clear and imminent danger that you may harm yourself or others. • If a record is court ordered by a proper legal authority. • If there is suspected or confirmed abuse of children or vulnerable adults. • If you are a minor and are not considered emancipated (living away from home and/or supporting yourself). • If you describe sexual exploitation by a previous therapist. • If you are pregnant and using a felonious drug (e.g. cocaine, heroin). The Personal Counseling staff consists of professionals with differing areas of expertise, and includes those who work under the direct supervision of licensed, senior psychologists. To provide you with the best service, your counselor may discuss your situation with a
YES! The Center for Counseling maintains strict standards of confidentiality . No record of counseling goes into your administrative school records, and school officials are not notified that you are/have been receiving counseling. Family members will not be notified that you are in counseling unless we have your written permission to do so. We will not speak to family about the contents of your counseling without your written permission. The only exceptions to the confidentiality policy (allowed by state and Federal statue) is when the Center for Counseling believes that a student’s life is in danger, or when the safety of others is at risk. Feel free to discuss any concerns about confidentiality with your counselor.
Yes, with a very few rare exceptions (which your counselor will discuss with you before beginning), the counseling relationship is by law, confidential. The confidential nature of counseling ensures that your counselor cannot, for example, share information about you with your parents, professors, roommates, or other college staff. If you would like for your counselor to communicate with anyone, you can give your explicit, written permission for her/him to do so; otherwise, counseling is confidential.
