Confidentiality

Counselling and Psychological Services practitioners maintain records on all clients in keeping with standards of professional conduct. To assist in case management and review, counsellors have access to the Student Information Management System (SIMS). Client information is maintained in strict confidence.

When appropriate and with your consent, relevant details may be passed on to another Student Support practitioner to whom you may be referred as part of providing a combined service, or for the purpose of peer supervision and consultation.

Limits of confidentiality

The UWA Counselling and Psychological Service may only release information to a third party external to the Service under certain circumstances. These circumstances are:

·         Client initiated:  If direction is given by the client to disclose information to a third party or parties. This direction can be verbal or in the form of a signed statement by the client.

·         Legal requirement:  Such as a response to a search warrant or legal subpoena for documents to be produced or for the Counsellor to appear before a State or Federal Court or an overriding legal requirement to breach the understanding of confidentiality. These circumstances would normally involve statutory obligations, illegal or criminal activities, or the prevention of harm to others.

·         Duty of care:  When clients are considered 'at risk' to themselves or to others by the relevant Counsellor and/or supervisor.

Privacy and Recordkeeping

Privacy Legislation at both State and Federal levels protects personal information collected and held by the UWA Counselling and Psychological Service. As psychologists registered with the WA Psychologists' Registration Board we are required to maintain notes of conversations/counselling sessions and treatment plans. All records are stored securely.