Professional ethics require us to keep everything you discuss here in strict confidence.
Even the fact that you use our services is confidential. We keep a written record of our
contacts. These notes help us to keep to our goals. They are confidential and you may
have access to them as needed through your counsellor. Other than the exceptions listed below, we will not give information
about you to anyone without your permission.
Possible exceptions to the principle of confidentiality are:
- We are required by law to report any incident of past or current sexual abuse by a health care professional.
- We are required to report any suspected abuse or neglect of a child who is presently under the age of sixteen (16).
- If we become aware that you are seriously intending to harm yourself or someone else we would be required to take action to prevent that harm from occurring, including: alerting the authorities and/or warning the person who is being threatened; and/or contacting a third party.
- In some very rare circumstances we could be called upon (subpoenaed) to testify about you in court. In such situations our records about you could also be reviewed in court. If the law ever required us to do this, in most circumstances we would try to discuss with you beforehand any testimony we might be compelled to present. Again, the likelihood of this happening is extremely rare but you deserve to be informed of the possibility.
