Confidentiality
As a person participating in counseling through Catholic Charities, you have the right to privacy. This means that you can expect that any information you provide during the course of your work with a therapist will be held in the strictest confidence. No information will be released to athird party without your full, informed, and written consent, except in those circumstances mandated by law.
Complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed as a result of both federal and state statutes that require disclosure of information for specific purposes. The following exceptions to confidentiality are mandated by law:
1. When there is a court order requiring the release of information
2. When a therapist is compelled by subpoena to provide sworn testimony in a court proceeding involving you
3. When a person threatens to harm a named individual
4. When a person threatens to harm himself or herself
5. When child physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse or neglect is suspected.
6. Other reasons outlined in law: e.g., threats to the President of the United States, threats to national security, and some others.
Therapists may also discuss your treatment with the director of counseling services. The director is part of the therapeutic treatment team and is bound by the same rules of confidentiality as your therapist.
You can always be assured of the highest standards of confidentiality during your work with Catholic Charities.
Should you have any questions about confidentiality, please discuss them with your therapist.
