Counseling & Confidentiality - What you need to know
Counseling records are kept separate from academic, disciplinary, and medical records to ensure your privacy and confidentiality. Counseling records are maintained in an electronic database that is stored in a secured, password protected environment and accessible only to CSDC staff. Further, all CSDC staff and computer support technicians sign a binding confidentiality agreement that prohibits the unauthorized release of client information. To further protect your confidentiality, CSDC staff members do not acknowledge that they are familiar with clients while outside the Center, unless the client acknowledges the staff member first.
Information obtained during counseling sessions will not be disclosed to anyone outside the Center without your knowledge and written consent. If you sign a written authorization allowing us to disclose information, you can later cancel your authorization in writing, and we will not disclose any further information after we receive your cancellation.
The only exceptions to these strict confidentiality rules are rare instances where psychologists and counselors are required to reveal particular information by federal, state, or local laws. Such exceptions include when:
- We believe that a client presents an imminent danger to her/himself or another person unless protective measures are taken.
- We have reasonable cause to believe that a child is being abused or neglected or an aged or incapacitated adult is being subject to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- We receive a court order upon good cause shown or in compliance with a subpoena.
- We are approached by authorized federal officials for information related to national security and intelligence activities. By law, we cannot reveal to the client when we have disclosed such information to the government.
- We need to seek legal advice from JMU's Policy & Legal Affairs Advisor.
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