Student Confidentiality

The following information provides details about the policies and procedures of Counseling Services.

Counseling Services

Counseling services provides individual, group, and career counseling to all students. Together, you and your counselor will determine the best course of action, and duration of treatment will be dependent upon progress that is being made in sessions.

Confidentiality

All communications between you and your counselor will be confidential, and will not be disclosed to anyone unless you give written authorization to release the information.

EXCEPT under the following circumstances:

• For academic concerns, the counselor will communicate with your instructor(s) if disclosure of this information will be beneficial for the student. The student can always request that information not be disclosed.
• In situations involving suicidal or homicidal ideations, child abuse or elder abuse, the counselor is ethically and morally required to disclose this information in order to protect you and/or others.
• . The counselor is also required by law to disclose confidential information if it has been court ordered. If this instance arises, your counselor will discuss the procedures for disclosing information with you and enlist your assistance in resolution.

Counselor Records

If you are going to see the counselor for weekly appointments, you will be asked to provide information about yourself by voluntarily completing the intake packet. Please come 10-15 minutes early. This information will help to better understand your situation and plan service. Counseling files are not part of academic records and are not accessible outside Counseling Services unless you provide a written request for records to be released to a third party.

Student Rights

Students who receive services at Counseling Services have the following rights:

• The right to impartial access to counseling regardless of race, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
• The right to ask questions about the counseling process and procedures.
• The right to participate in the planning of counseling services.
• The right to confidentiality with the exception of information listed above. (See exceptions under Confidentiality clause.)
• The right to information regarding counselor credentials and training.
• The right to request a referral to an outside counseling agency.
• The right to terminate counseling at any time.
• The right to file a grievance about service offered.