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SFA Home / Counseling & Career Services / Counseling Services

Client Confidentiality

The following information provides details about some of the policies and procedures of Counseling Services.

Counseling Services

We provide individual, group, couple and career counseling. The number of sessions you attend will vary based on the type of counseling you are attending. Individual and couples counseling are the only forms that do not have a recognized end date. You and your counselor will determine together the best course and duration of treatment.

Confidentiality

All communications between you and your counselor will be held in confidence and will not, except under the circumstances explained below, be disclosed to anyone unless you give written authorization to release the information.

In situations involving danger and/or risk of imminent harm to yourself or specifically identified others, child abuse, dependent adult abuse or reports of child or adult abuse, your counselor is contractually, ethically and morally required to disclose certain information in order to protect you and/or others.

Staff is also required by law to disclose confidential information if it has been court ordered. If at all possible, your counselor will discuss the procedures for doing this with you and enlist your assistance in resolution of the situation that has necessitated such disclosure.

Counselor Records

You will be asked to provide us with information about yourself prior to your first meeting with a counselor. This information will help us better understand your situation and plan service. Counseling files are not part of academic records and are not accessible outside Counseling Services unless you provide a written request for records to be released to the third party.

Staff Consultation

To provide the best service possible your counselor may consult with or receive supervision from another member of Counseling Services professional staff.

Client Rights

Students who are eligible to receive services at Counseling Services have the following rights as clients:

1. The right to impartial access to counseling regardless of race, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
2. The right to ask questions about the process of counseling and procedures used at Counseling Services.
3. The right to information regarding counselor credentials and training.
4. The right to expect that all information disclosed in counseling will be kept confidential with the exception of information related to danger to self or others, or to the abuse of a child or incapacitated adult. In some cases (e.g. divorce, child custody) information may be released upon court order.
5. The right to refuse to have counseling audio- or videotaped at any time.
6. The right to participate in the planning of counseling services.
7. The right to request a different counselor from the one assigned. This request may be made to the assigned counselor or the Assistant Director of Counseling Services.
8. The right to terminate counseling at any time.
9. The right to file a grievance about service offered.

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