Mental Health Services Professional Practices & Confidentiality

Confidentiality

No information about counseling is released outside of Mental Health Services to anyone without a student's written authorization. Mental Health Services makes no record of visits on academic transcripts or placement files. However, there are limits to confidentiality and they include the following:

• When there is the risk of imminent harm, therapists have a legal and ethical duty to do whatever is necessary to protect life.
• When a court of law orders a therapist to release information, the therapist is bound by law to comply with such an order.
• When any individual has reason to believe that a child or mentally disabled person or an elderly person is in danger of or is being physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, that individual is obligated by law to report such abuse to the proper authorities.
• Because confidentiality does not extend to criminal proceedings in Texas, when an individual is involved in a criminal prosecution, their file may be open for court inspection.
• When therapists become aware of incidences of sexual misconduct on the part of other therapists, they are required to report that to the state board.

Additionally, a student's counselor/therapist may consult with a supervisor and/or with other professional staff members of the Mental Health Services for the purpose of providing the best possible service. Mental Health Services uses an electronic record keeping system and stores its records using state-of-the art security.