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Confidentiality

Counseling sessions and personal information will remain private and confidential within the context of Counseling Services at Sauk except for the specific circumstances listed below under “Limits of Confidentiality.” Counselors will not disclose any private and confidential information to any faculty, staff, or other Sauk employee without your consent. In order for professional mental health counselors to discuss any information about you with any individual or agency, you must give signed consent. The specific limits to confidentiality are as follows:

Limits to confidentiality

  1. If there is evidence of clear and imminent danger to yourself. In this case, the counselor would take action to assure your safety, releasing only the information needed to do this.
  2. If there is evidence of clear and imminent danger to others. The counselor would have to take action to protect the other person, releasing only the information necessary to assure the person's safety.
  3. If there is reasonable suspicion or evidence of abuse or neglect of anyone under the age of 18, elderly, or person with a disability, a counselor would be required to report that information to the appropriate agency.
  4. If the Counselor is ordered to do so by a court of law.
  5. If you have been reported to the SVCC Crisis Assistance Team, the counselor will disclose to the confidentiality-bound team that the student has received services and make recommendations as to how to best proceed with the case.
  6. If you sign a release of information form allowing the Counselor to provide specific information regarding counseling sessions to specific parties.

In order to provide students with the highest quality of care, a counselor may consult with other licensed professional counselors. All Counselors are ethically and legally bound to treat that information confidentially. Your counseling records do not become part of your educational records.

If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, please contact the Counseling Office at 815-835-6204.