Why is it important to understand confidentiality?
Opening up to professionals about your mental health can be the first step to getting help. But it can be difficult, and you may be confused about what they’re going to do with the information you tell them. This is the basis of your relationship with your counsellor or coach and will be kept confidential between you and the professional concerned.
Information that needs to be kept confidential includes:
- Your name and contact details
- Details of health conditions
- Details of any medication or treatment/care plan
- Anything you’ve talked about in appointments or meetings
- What’s written in your records
How will my information be stored?
The law says that your information should be kept securely. This means it should be stored safely so that it can’t be accidentally deleted, lost, stolen or seen by someone else.
There are lots of different ways that professionals can keep your information secure. For example, they could keep your notes:
- In a password-protected folder on a computer
- Locked in a filing cabinet
Could my information be shared without my consent?
In some situations, your information may need to be shared without your consent. It is important to understand that this will only happen if:
- There are concerns that you’re at risk of serious harm or you’re in danger.
- There are concerns that someone else is at serious risk of harm or that they’re in danger.
- Someone is told they have to by law. For example, if the information is needed for a court case.
Your counsellor or coach will always try to let you know prior to sharing information and will only do so based on the above.
How can I see what’s in my files and records?
The notes that a professional may make during your sessions belong to you and at any time you can ask your therapist to show you the notes they’ve taken in your sessions.
Other questions?
Your counsellor or coach will spend some time in your first sessions together to explain this in more detail. Please bring any questions you might have to help understand further.
