Counseling
Center
Health and Wellness Center
Foster Hall
508 626-4640
Fax: 508 626-4628

Confidentiality
 

► CONFIDENTIALITY IS A VITAL PART OF THE COUNSELING PROCESS
When coming to the Counseling Center, to truly be able to share your private thoughts and feelings, it will be important to trust that what you say will be kept between you and your counselor.

You should also know that records of your visits to the Counseling Center do not become part of your academic record, nor are they made available to faculty or staff of the college outside the Counseling Center. Your parents also do not have access to your records, nor can they ask your counselor to disclose any information about visits.

► YOU MAY CHOOSE TO BREAK CONFIDENTIALITY
There may be times when you might want to share information with others about your counseling experience, perhaps choosing to tell friends or family about your process. Occasionally, situations arise when it might be beneficial for your counselor to speak with a third party about you.

If, after considering the factors involved, you both agree that it would be beneficial for your counselor to do so, you must sign a Release of Information agreement so that information may be shared with an outside party. The laws which govern our services require us to obtain your informed and written consent if any information is shared. You can also specify what type of information is shared and revoke your consent at any time.

► LIMITS OR EXCEPTIONS TO CONFIDENTIALITY
There are three important exceptions to maintaining confidentiality that all counselors must follow. The three exceptions are part of Massachusetts State law, and can’t be altered by the College or the Counseling Center.

• The first exception involves protection from imminent risk to harm yourself or someone else. This means that your counselor must take steps to protect you or whoever is in danger, even if that means violating your confidentiality.

• The second exception is that if your counselor becomes aware that a child (minor) or elder is being abused, he or she must take steps to protect that child or elder, even if that means violating your confidentiality.

• The third exception is that if your record is requested by court order, it must be given to the court. This is an extremely rare occurrence. While all counselors are legally and ethically mandated to follow these guidelines, every effort is made to inform you of your rights and protect your privacy to the fullest extent possible under the law.

If you have any questions about confidentiality, please talk with your counselor or call us during office hours.