• American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Position on Confidentiality:

     

    Professional school counselors recognize their primary obligation for confidentiality is to the student but balance that obligation with an understanding of the family or guardians’ legal and inherent rights to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives (ASCA Code of Ethics, 2010, A.2.d).

     

     Confidentiality

     School Counselor Confidentiality Guidelines for Students

     

    Your confidentiality as a student is important to us! In our George White School Counseling Office, what is said here, stays here, with the following exceptions, as required by law and/or ethical standards: 

    •  Harm to self or others
    •  Abuse or neglect
    •  Court or other legal proceedings 
     
    If there is ever a need to reveal information, we will let you know in advance, and work with you to handle the situation in a way that respects you, your feelings, and your needs.
     
    Respectfully,
     

    Ms. Pizzo and Mrs. Reese

     

     Confidentiality2

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     Confidentiality Student Contract
     Your confidentiality as a student is important to us! In our school counseling office, what is said here, stays here, with the following exceptions, as required by law and/or ethical standards: 

    1. Harm to self or others

    This could include things like a suicide attempt or plan, cutting or other self-injury, eating disorders, addictions, fighting or other physical violence, illegal behaviors, threats, etc. -- anything that puts your health or safety, or someone else's health and safety, at risk.
     2. Abuse or neglect 

    If you talk with one of us about abuse (physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or other abuse), whether to yourself or to another minor, we are required by law to report it to Child Protective Services, and possibly the police. If you tell us about an abuse case that's already been addressed 

    by CPS or the police, we still may need to make a call to double check. 

    3. Court or other legal proceedings 

    By law, if we are subpoenaed (required by law to attend a hearing or other court proceeding), we cannot guarantee that your information will be kept confidential. We will always do our best to reveal as little as possible in a legal setting, but we must cooperate with the police, CPS, and the courts.

     

    If there is ever a need to reveal information, we will let you know in advance, and work with you to handle the situation in a way that respects you, your feelings, and your needs.