Counseling Center

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is extremely important to us, so information shared in a counseling session will be kept in strict confidence. This means that Counseling Center staff cannot release information to parents, RAs, teachers, physicians, etc. without a student's written consent. This includes indicating whether a student is a client of the Counseling Center. Counseling files are NOT part of academic records.

The counseling staff operates as a team in order to provide the best possible services to clients. As professionals we confer with each other within the agency. These consultations are for professional and/or training purposes only.

There are some situations in which we are legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm, and this may include disclosure of some personal information. If we believe that a child or elderly person is being abused, we may be required to file a report with the appropriate state agency. If we believe that a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another, we are required to take protective actions. These actions may include notifying the potential victim, contacting the police, or seeking hospitalization for the client. If the client threatens to harm himself/herself, we may be obligated to seek hospitalization for him/her or to contact others who can help provide protection. Please Note: The exceptions to confidentiality are extremely rare. If they should occur, it is the Center's policy that, whenever possible, we will discuss with the student any action that is being considered.