Limits of Confidentiality:
It is important that you understand the confidential nature of your relationship with me as your counsellor. Everything that you disclose about yourself will be treated as confidential. I will not release your name or information about you, or your counselling to anyone without your informed, voluntary, and written consent, except as outlined below:
- If I obtain information which leads me to suspect that a child (18 and under) is at risk for, or has been, physically abused, sexually abused, emotionally abused, or neglected, I am legally obligated to make a report to the Ministry of Children & Family Development. This is about protecting children from harm.
- If you inform me about any intent to commit an act which could result in the injury or death of another/others, I am legally obliged to contact the police. This is about protecting others from harm.
- If I believe that you are a danger to yourself, I will discuss with you any plan that I may need to take on your behalf (e.g. call a family member or family physician). However, in situations where I am unable to discuss this with you, I may need to proceed without your consent in order to fulfill my obligation to ensure your safety.
- If I am ordered by court subpoena to release information to a third party.
In order to ensure accountable, ethical, and effective service I will consult with a clinical supervisor, and or clinical colleagues from time to time, to obtain clinical consultation. Identifying information will always be kept to an absolute minimum during any such consultation.
Whenever it is safe and possible to do so, I will notify you of any situation where I am obligated to report.
When working with couples, if one should attend an individual session it is understood that the content of the individual session will be confidential from your partner.
When working with children and adolescents, I have to balance protecting the minor’s right to privacy, while at the same time respecting the parent’s or guardian’s rights to information. Counselling is most effective when a trusting relationship exists between the counsellor and the child/adolescent, as well as the parents. Safeguarding and maintaining that trust, and providing a space where children and adolescents can feel free to discuss their perspectives openly is crucial to reaching successful outcomes.
One counselling goal I always want to achieve is encouraging a better relationship between you and your child. It is my policy to provide you with general information about our time together, without breaking their trust and the therapeutic relationship I have with them. For these reasons, I will only share specific information about what your child has disclosed to me, with your child’s consent.
Release of Information:
If you require me to release information to a third party, (such as a Probation Officer, doctor, or lawyer)informed, written, and voluntary consent must be provided.
You Have The Right To:
Be treated with respect at all times.
Ask questions about anything that occurs during counselling.
Choose not to participate in any counselling technique suggested.
End counselling at any time without any obligations other than paying for completed sessions.
Complete confidentiality, within the above stated limitations.
View all records in your file at any time you choose.
Have all or part of your records released to any person you choose.
Request a referral to other services.
