Counselling: Confidentiality

Edge Hill Counselling and Supervisory Services are an organisational member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and adheres to their Ethical Framework for Good Practice. All our counsellors are aware of their responsibility for confidentiality.

In the usual course of events, if you have referred yourself for counselling then no one outside the counselling team would know you have attended or what was discussed, and nothing will be entered on your academic or medical records.

If you feel that someone may need to know information about your counselling sessions then we ask you to make this clear to your counsellor at the beginning of the sessions. For example, if you have been referred to us by another party it may be in your interest for there to be some liaison.

Where written confirmation may be required to be passed on to a third party, this is restricted to a minimum. We are not able to provide in-depth reports on the sessions or give opinions or diagnosis.

Exceptions

In certain circumstances, counsellors may have to make exceptions to the general rules of confidentiality:

• If we think there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others.
• Where we cannot contact you but suspect you are in danger. For example, if you had not been seen for several days and colleagues and friends felt concerned, we may disclose information without your agreement.
• Where there is a legal requirement to disclose information. This could be because it has been ordered by a court, or because the law requires, for example under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986, for information to be passed on without consent.

In the first and second of these cases, we would attempt to talk this through with you beforehand if possible.

Notes and Record Keeping

Our policy is to keep minimum notes and records. The information we do store includes:

• Personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address etc;
• Background information that might be relevant to the counselling process;
• Your signed contract with us;
• Confidential case notes (describing the main focus of the session with any important information);
• Information for service evaluation and statistical purposes.

You can request in writing to see the information held on you. View confidentiality and record keeping policy >>

If you have any concerns about our policy on confidentiality and note-keeping, you're welcome to discuss it fully with your counsellor.

Last updated: 24-Jun-2011