Confidentiality
Confidentiality – ETHOS HEALTH CARE
Confidentiality is a set of rules or a promise that limits access or places restrictions on certain types of information. It is an essential part of the counseling relationship. To maintain confidentiality, a counselor must explain the benefits and problems inherent in counseling services and clarify the limits of confidentiality to the client.
Patient confidentiality means maintaining private information about a client, and ensuring that no unauthorized person has access to this. A counselor or psychotherapist must also seek a patient’s consent before discussing any disclosed matter with a supervisor or more experienced counselor.
In order to maintain client confidentiality a counselor must be aware of certain important procedures. These can only be maintained if a counselor accepts full responsibility for a client.
Throughout the client-counselor relationship it is the counselor’s responsibility to:
- Ensure a client’s confidentiality is not breached.
- Provide the same level of care and support to a client, regardless of the client’s background.
- Maintain up-to-date client files and notes.
- Support the client, and where necessary request the additional support of colleagues or more experienced counselors, to ensure the client’s counseling needs are fulfilled.
- Process, and provide, up-to-date additional information and resources that may be useful to a client.
All aspects of your participation in clinical services at the Counseling & Mental Health Center, including the scheduling of appointments, content of counseling sessions, and any records that we keep, are confidential as outlined by federal and state law.
