Confidentiality

The Community Counseling Clinic strictly follows both the Ethical Standards of the American Counseling Association and the laws governing the state of Georgia regarding confidentiality. The information shared during the counseling process is kept strictly confidential except for those reasons required by law. These exceptions include the following:

• Serious threat to client health and safety or the health and safety of the public. Information may then be shared with a person or organization who is capable of preventing or reducing the threat.
• When there’s suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, resident of an institution or the disabled.
• As a result of a lawsuit against the counselor and/or legal court proceedings.
• If required by a law enforcement official.
• When the client requests in writing that information be shared with a third party. If the Community Counseling Clinic or the client wants to use or disclose confidential information for any other purpose, a Consent for Release of Information must be signed in advance.

For Minor Clients (under the age of 18)

Confidentially cannot be given without the permission of the minor client’s parents/legal guardians. Often in a counseling environment, a child/adolescent will not share sensitive information with a counselor if the information were to be disclosed to a parent/legal guardian. Due to this issue, the Community Counseling Clinic requests that the parents/legal guardian permit the child have a confidential relationship with the counselor assigned to them. If the Community Counseling Clinic or the parent want to use or disclose confidential information for any other purpose, the counselor will discuss with the client.

Video Monitoring

All sessions are recorded and monitored by close-circuit T.V. and these recordings are for educational and supervision purposes only. These activities are done to ensure the client receives the highest quality of care. All videos are erased at the end of each semester.