Confidentiality

Our office considers confidentiality to be a very serious matter. Utilization of our services is voluntary, and all information provided to us is kept private. We do not speak to parents unless a student specifically requests this. We do not discuss a student's involvement with Counseling and Psychological Services with University administrators or faculty unless we have obtained explicit permission from the student. However, we frequently encourage students to communicate openly with parents, professors, deans, and coaches when we believe it would be beneficial to do so. We keep written records of therapy visits in the form of student information forms and psychotherapy notes; however, these documents are stored and maintained separately from the rest of the student record and they are destroyed seven years after a student's graduation. The counseling staff work in collaboration with each other, and may share information in the interests of consultation and supervision. Sometimes our staff work in collaboration with the medical providers of Davison Health Center, as is the case with students struggling with disordered eating patterns or concussions.

Exceptions to Confidentiality

There are limited exceptions to our policy of total confidentiality. When a Counseling and Psychological Services therapist determines a student is at imminent risk of harm to either self or another person, the therapist is required by law to break confidentiality in order to take all necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of both the student and the community. Additionally, therapists are required by law to report current physical and/or sexual abuse of children, elderly individuals, or individuals with disabilities. A judge may order a therapist to disclose confidential information if the information is deemed relevant to a legal proceeding.

Students with questions about this policy should speak with a counseling center staff person as soon as possible.