Confidentiality

What is confidentiality?

All therapeutic services at the Lewis & Clark Community Counseling Center are strictly confidential. Client information is not shared to anyone outside of the center without written permission or verbal consent when the client is present.

In order to provide clients with the highest quality of care, a counselor or therapist trainee may consult with other counseling center staff and faculty.  Faculty will provide live supervision and watch recorded sessions for the purpose of learning and training.

Are there limits to confidentiality?

Yes. There are situations in which we are required by law and/or professional ethics to release clinical information. These include the following situations:

• A client is in imminent danger to self or others
• A child or elder is being abused, neglected or exploited
• Requirement to present records or information as a part of a legal proceeding
• Someone is gravely disabled

If any of these situations arise staff, faculty, and counselor and therapist trainees will make every effort to discuss the process with clients.

At the first appointment you will be asked to read and sign a Counseling Agreement/Consent form. This document describes policies and procedures including confidentiality and your rights to privacy.  During the first session the counselor or therapist trainee will review materials and answer any questions regarding policies or forms.  An atmosphere of safety and trust is extremely important.

Will my information be recorded and kept in a file?

Yes. The Lewis & Clark Community Counseling Center is a training facility for counselor and therapist trainees.  Client information will be documented and filed into charts.  The charts will be securely stored.  Faculty, staff, and counselor and therapist trainees will access charts for purposes of quality review and clinical training.