Confidentiality

Many people, when coming to visit a counselor, are concerned about confidentiality (privacy). They don't want anyone to know that they're coming for counseling, and they don't want anyone to know what they say to their therapist. We do our best to minimize these concerns.

The Student Counseling Services operates within professional guidelines. Therapists are professionally and ethically obligated to keep what you say confidential. They may seek input from other therapists at the center in order to improve the quality of your care, but no information about your counseling will be released to, or discussed with, anyone outside the center without your explicit, written permission.

There are some exceptions that you need to know about. First, if there is a risk of imminent harm to yourself or another person (e.g., a serious intent to commit suicide or homicide), therapists have a legal and ethical duty to protect life. Second, therapists must release information when a court of law orders them to do so. Third, if we believe a child, elderly person, or mentally retarded person is being abused, therapists will report this. Fourth, if you are in a medical crisis, therapists may sometimes provide necessary medical information (e.g., about medications) to medical personnel.

People coming to counseling sometimes worry that their insurance companies will have access to their records. This is not the case at the center. Since there is no charge for services to Southern Miss students and Southern Miss employees, no insurance companies are involved.