Privacy and Confidentiality

The counsellors are bound by a professional code of confidentiality.

Any letter written on your behalf will be shown to you before it is sent. At times it may be necessary for your counsellor to discuss information with a supervising counsellor so that the best possible service can be provided to you.

It is only under very extreme circumstances (e.g. to protect the personal safety of someone) that counsellors may be required to break confidentiality. This would be necessary in order to conform to certain legal/ethical requirements. As far as possible the counsellor would seek approval from you before doing this.

You may be concerned about running into someone you know when coming to or leaving your session. I give the utmost respect to your privacy at all times. If you do have a particular concern about this, please discuss it with me.

Release Of Personal Information To A Third Party

The counsellor may only release information to a third under certain circumstances. These circumstances include:

• Client initiated
  If direction is given by the client to disclose information to a third party or parties. This direction must be in the form of a signed statement by the client.
  
  
• Legal requirement
  Such as a response to a legal subpoena for documents to be produced or for the counsellor to appear before a State or Federal Court or an over-riding legal requirement to breach the understanding of confidentiality. These circumstances would normally involve: statutory obligations, illegal or criminal activities or the prevention of harm to others.
  
  
• Duty of care
  For Example: when the client's behaviour is considered by the counsellor and/or their direct supervisor to be a danger to themselves or others.