Confidentiality
Visits to the Student Counseling Center are kept confidential. Be sure to discuss the parameters of confidentiality with your counselor during your first visit.
Confidentiality helps create a safe and professional space for students to speak openly about personal concerns.
Exceptions to confidentiality
There are specific situations where confidentiality may not apply. Exceptions to confidentiality include:
- You report that you are physically or sexually abusing a minor child.
- You are a minor and report that you are being physically or sexually abused.
- You report being physically or sexually abused by parents and there are still minor children in the home.
- You state that you want to harm yourself.
- You state that you want to harm someone else.
- You report that you are physically, financially, or sexually abusing an elder.
If you have questions about privacy or confidentiality, please ask your counselor. They can explain what information is kept private and when information may need to be shared for safety or legal reasons.
Confidentiality of counseling records
State law requires that a record of your counseling visits be maintained. Your counselor will enter a note after each visit that includes a brief description of your session.
These records are maintained electronically and will be retained for seven years.
Release of information
Verbal or written information regarding your treatment cannot be released unless you sign a written consent. For example, you may want to release information to another person if you are coordinating with on-campus or off-campus services.
The Student Counseling Center is not authorized to speak with parents about your treatment unless you sign a release.
