What does confidentiality in counseling really mean?

Confidentiality means that information about you is never released to others without your written permission. Everything said in therapy is confidential and will not be disclosed except when reporting is required or permitted by the HIPAA Privacy Standard or Florida state law. Exceptions to confidentiality include the following:

1. suspected abuse of a child, developmentally disabled person, or a dependent adult;
2. potential suicidal behavior;
3. threatened harm to another, which may include knowledge that the client is HIV positive when there is an unwillingness to inform individuals with whom the client is intimately involved; and
4. when required by compulsory process

Information may also be disclosed if you sign a written authorization or in the event that you file a complaint against your counselor. Payment by check, bank or credit card allows bank employees to view names of CHARIS clients. If you have caller identification on your phone, the name of the agency may appear on the monitor.

In keeping with generally accepted standards of practice, supervision and consultation may be made regarding the management of your treatment with other mental health professionals, including other counselors in the center, who are bound by the same rules of confidentiality.

In some situations cell phones may be used by counselors to contact clients. Please note that e-mail is NOT a confidential means of communication.