Confidentiality is at the heart of the work we do. You should feel safe to speak openly, knowing that what you share is treated with care and discretion. This statement explains how we protect your privacy and the limited circumstances in which confidentiality may not apply.
Our commitment to you
What you discuss in your sessions is private. We will not disclose that you are a client, or share anything you tell us, without your consent, except in the specific situations set out below. This applies to both our counselling and coaching work.
The limits of confidentiality
There are a small number of circumstances in which we may need to share information, sometimes without your consent. These include where:
- there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to you or to another person;
- there is a concern about the safety or welfare of a child or an adult at risk (a safeguarding concern);
- we are required to share information by law or by a court order;
- disclosure is necessary to comply with a specific legal obligation [confirm any that apply to your jurisdiction].
Wherever it is safe and possible to do so, we will talk with you first before sharing any information, and share only what is necessary.
Clinical supervision
To maintain high standards and to support our own practice, counsellors and coaches reflect on their work in regular, confidential supervision. Your identity is protected in these discussions, and supervisors are bound by the same duty of confidentiality.
Keeping records
We keep brief, secure notes to support continuity of your care. These are held in line with our Privacy Policy, which also explains your rights to access the information we hold about you.
Working with couples and more than one person
Where we work with couples or more than one person, we will agree at the outset how confidentiality will be handled between you, including how we approach information shared with us individually. [Confirm your practice's approach to "no secrets" or individual confidentiality in couples work.]
How we contact you
We will agree with you how best to stay in touch in a way that protects your privacy. Please let us know if there are any times, methods or details we should avoid when contacting you.
Reviewing this statement
This statement is reviewed regularly and forms part of the working agreement we make with you. If you have any questions about confidentiality, please raise them with us at any time, before or during our work together.
This statement should be confirmed against your professional body's ethical framework and your actual practice before launch. Replace the highlighted placeholders with your own details.