What is confidentiality?
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Are my counseling/disability records made a part of my permanent file?
Can counselors share information about me with others?
If I am a student in counseling, how does confidentiality work?
If I am a student using Disability Services, how does confidentiality work?
What should I know about confidentiality if I am a parent or family member of a student using our services?
What should I know about confidentiality if I am a faculty or staff member of a student using counseling/disability services?

What is confidentiality?
Because of the sensitive and personal nature of counseling and disability services, all services are strictly confidential. This means that nothing that you share with your counselor, even that you have made an appointment with a counselor, is revealed to anyone outside of the Counseling Center without your written consent. We do not disclose names or other identifying information about our clients to any person, including family or college officials, without consent.

In an effort to provide the highest quality service to our students, your counselor may find it necessary to consult with other Counseling Center/Disability Services staff about your work together. The Counseling Center is comprised of staff who specialize in personal counseling and disability services. Our entire clinical staff, comprised of personal counselors, disability counselors, and graduate interns may be included in this group consultation.

Are there limits to confidentiality?
Yes. There are some situations in which we are legally mandated to breach confidentiality. These include the following: we believe that you present an imminent danger to yourself or to others; we believe that a child or elder is being subjected to abuse, neglect, or exploitation; or we are required to present records or other information regarding a client as a part of any legal proceedings.

Are my counseling/disability records made a part of my permanent file?
No. No information about your contact with the Counseling Center/Disability Services is kept in your permanent academic or financial record held by the College.

Can counselors share information about me to others?
As previously stated, counselors are unable to release any information about you without your consent to do so. Therefore, if you feel that it is necessary or would be helpful for your counselor to talk with someone else (e.g. faculty, family, medical professionals, etc.), you have the option of signing an Authorization Form. This legal document will enable your counselor to discuss any matter of your choosing with a specified person.

If I am a student using counseling, how does confidentiality work?
In addition to the policies about confidentiality that are listed above, students requesting counseling services will be asked to read and sign our Statement of Understanding each academic year. This document describes Counseling Center policies & procedures, as well as confidentiality. Your counselor will review this document in detail in your first meeting each academic year. Please be sure to direct any questions that you may have to any of the Counseling Center staff.

If I am a student using Disability Services, how does confidentiality work?
Confidentiality affects students using Disability Services (DS) in the same way as other students using our office. Students certified with DS may request accommodation letters for their professors each semester. Because we are unable to release information about your disability to anyone without your written permission, you will be asked to complete and sign a Release for Accommodation Letters (along with the Rights and Responsibilities form) each semester.

What should I know about confidentiality if I am a parent or family member of a student using the counseling services or disability services?
Meredith College is committed to providing an academic and living environment that fosters students' progress towards independence. While we welcome questions and can provide general information, confidentiality laws protect the privacy of all communications between a client and a counselor/therapist, and we are often limited in the information we are able to share with families without the student's written authorization. In an effort to protect your student's confidentiality, we will not be able to provide you with information about your student. If you contact us with concerns, we will make every effort to contact your student. Our focus is on the student and assisting her in addressing her concerns as well as improving her communication with her family, faculty and peers. Therefore, we will most often encourage your student to communicate her work with our office directly to you.

For more information about Meredith's expectations and partnerships with families, please visit our Parents and Families page.

What should I know about confidentiality if I am a faculty or staff member of a student using our services?
We encourage faculty and staff to direct any comments or concerns about their work with students to us. However, we are often limited in the information that we can provide without the student's written authorization. We are typically able to give general feedback, but will be restricted from discussing the specifics of our work with students. If you contact us with concerns, we will make every effort to contact the student to follow up with her. Please visit our Faculty and Staff page for more resources and information.