Privacy and Confidentiality
"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the rebellious, comfort the discouraged, strengthen the weak, be patient toward all." 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Privacy and confidentiality are an important aspect of the counseling process. We carefully guard the information that you entrust to us, to the fullest extent possible. As a church-based counseling ministry, we do not offer absolute confidentiality.
There are times when it may be necessary for us to share specific information with others. Examples include, but are not limited to, matters of church discipline (cf. Matt 15:15 ff.) which may include the pastor/elder of counselees attending church, criminal activities, and potential harm to self or others.
Additionally, when a counselor is uncertain how to address a particular situation, the counselor may consult with another member of the Biblical Counseling Ministry Team for the purpose of providing the highest level of care within the structures of best practices. To best care for you, we will work together as a ministry team while keeping the circle of privacy and confidentiality as tight as possible. There are times when counseling information may be shared outside the counseling context. Those expectations would include, but are not limited to the following:
- Known or suspected abuse of any kind
- The intent to take criminal actions or violence against another person
- Credible suicidal thoughts or intentions
Your Commitment to Privacy and Confidentiality: You, too, must agree not to discuss our communications with people who do not have a necessary interest in the counseling process. This includes not sharing personal things the counselor has shared with you with others. Furthermore, you must agree that you will not attempt to force any counselor to divulge any information acquired during the counseling process or to testify in any legal proceeding related to the issues discussed during the counseling process.
There are times when it may be necessary for us to share specific information with others. Examples include, but are not limited to, matters of church discipline (cf. Matt 15:15 ff.) which may include the pastor/elder of counselees attending church, criminal activities, and potential harm to self or others.
Additionally, when a counselor is uncertain how to address a particular situation, the counselor may consult with another member of the Biblical Counseling Ministry Team for the purpose of providing the highest level of care within the structures of best practices. To best care for you, we will work together as a ministry team while keeping the circle of privacy and confidentiality as tight as possible. There are times when counseling information may be shared outside the counseling context. Those expectations would include, but are not limited to the following:
- Known or suspected abuse of any kind
- The intent to take criminal actions or violence against another person
- Credible suicidal thoughts or intentions
Your Commitment to Privacy and Confidentiality: You, too, must agree not to discuss our communications with people who do not have a necessary interest in the counseling process. This includes not sharing personal things the counselor has shared with you with others. Furthermore, you must agree that you will not attempt to force any counselor to divulge any information acquired during the counseling process or to testify in any legal proceeding related to the issues discussed during the counseling process.
- Confidentiality is a set of rules that limits access and places restrictions on certain types of information.
- Confidentiality belongs to the person who is the original source of the information.
- Confidentiality refers to information that (generally) cannot be divulged to third parties without the express consent of the client or unless mandated by law.
- Laws of Confidentiality refers to personal information shared with an attorney, physician, therapist, or other individual that generally cannot be divulged to third parties without the express consent of the client.
- Privacy is freedom from intrusion into one's personal matters and personal information.
- Privacy protects people as well as personal information and applies to all persons involved in the relationship.
