Confidentiality

With some exceptions, what people talk about in counselling is strictly confidential. The exceptions are:

If you ask me to send information to anyone else, I will ask for your signed release to do so. For example, I ask clients who have been referred by their physician for their written permission to send a note to their physician indicating that we are working together. Any information I send is available for clients to see.

I am required legally to tell the Ministry of Children and Families if I learn of a child being abused.

I am required legally to warn anyone whose life is in danger.

I am required legally to warn the authorities if a client has a plan to kill himself and is at serious risk to carry out this plan.

I am required legally to comply with a subpoena to appear in court or to provide my notes to a court.