Counseling & Wellness Services

Yes! Counselors are considered confidential employees under FERPA and also maintain HIPAA under their professional licenses. Limits to this confidentiality include:  

• If the counselor has cause to believe there is a probability of imminent physical harm to yourself or another person.  

• If the counselor has cause to believe that a child, elderly person, or a person with a disability is being abused, neglected, or exploited.  

• If it is reported that someone has been sexually exploited by a mental health care provider. 

• If Counseling and Wellness Services receives a valid subpoena or court order, and/or you are involved in a criminal case.  

• If you are a minor (under the age of 18), you will be subject to different guidelines which the counselor will explain.  

These (and other) exceptions to confidentiality are rare. If one should occur, the counselor will attempt (whenever possible) to discuss with you any action under consideration. However, counselors are not legally obligated to do so, especially if such a discussion would prevent Counseling and Wellness staff from securing your safety or the safety of others.  

Counseling and Wellness Services counselors will not acknowledge you to others (e.g., parents, professors, staff, etc.) without your consent. In order to avoid the possibility that others will infer you are a client, your counselor will typically not speak to you outside the office unless you speak to your counselor first. Please refer to the Notice of Privacy and Confidentiality Practices for more information.