confidentiality
Counselling Services in Waterloo Region
One of the perks of going to therapy is that what you share in the room stays in the room. This means that I do not share your personal details with anyone else and any documentation related to our work together is stored in a secure place.
Limits of confidentiality
However, as a therapist I do have certain limitations on confidentiality. In the following cases, I would not be able to ensure confidentiality:
If a client presents a risk of physical harm to themselves or others, I am obligated to notify the appropriate parties.
If there is a suspected case of child neglect or abuse, I have a duty to report to Family & Children's Services.
If clinical records are subpoenaed through a court order.
If a presenting issue is beyond my scope of practice, they may seek clinical supervision/consultation. However, in this instance, your personal information would remain anonymous as I would continue to ensure your privacy.
Please note that in all instances I will do my very best to have a conversation with you about my concerns before any action is taken.
confidentiality In Public
Confidentiality also extends outside of the office. If we see each other in a public setting, such as at the grocery store, I will not say "hi" or acknowledge that we know each other unless you initiate the conversation. This is not meant to ignore you, rather to prevent you from having to explain to someone how we know each other. While some people are open about telling others they are in counselling, not everyone is comfortable doing so; therefore, I want to make sure the choice to share is yours.
Parents
Working with teenagers means that parents are typically arranging their appointments, driving them to their sessions, and footing the bill. Understandably, this also means that parents want to know how their child is doing in therapy. While well-intentioned, the rules of confidentiality apply to teenagers, as well. You are welcome to contact me to schedule appointments for your child or express concern about a particular issue, but please note that I do not share what your child discusses in session. Maintaining this therapeutic relationship is essential for your son or daughter to feel that they can have an open and honest conversation with me without fearing that it will come back to a parent.