CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality means that the information you tell your therapist will be kept private or secret.

You should know, however, that there are occasions in which the information you share can be released to someone else:

1. Your therapist may ask your permission to communicate with another person to benefit you in your treatment (e.g. to contact other professionals you see). Such information would be shared only with your written permission. Once given, this permission can be revoked at any time in writing.
2. In rare circumstances, your therapist has to divulge information about you and your treatment without your permission. These include situations in which you or someone else is in danger of being grievously hurt or if a child has been grievously hurt (i.e. child abuse or neglect). If at all possible, your therapist will talk to you about this need to violate your confidence. However your therapist cannot always do this and in these particular circumstances will not be able to adhere to your wishes to keep your information private.
3. At times your therapist may consult with colleagues in order to work out how best to understand your needs and assist you in the changes you want to make. If your situation is ever discussed, the mental health professionals involved will respect your privacy and confidentiality. Your anonymity is also protected (i.e. your name will not be used).
4. Brookland Pastoral Center also has a peer review program that includes ongoing supervision, periodic case presentations, and semiannual review of a clinical record from each therapist. If your situation is ever discussed, the mental health professionals involved will respect your privacy and confidentiality. In the review of a clinical record, your name would be revealed and would be kept completely confidential as if you were the client of the reviewer.