Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the school counselor at ASES, one of my primary goals is to support students in developing the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to succeed. In doing so, it’s important to establish a trusting relationship where students feel safe to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. This trust is guided by ethical standards and confidentiality practices in school counseling.
Understanding Student-Counselor Confidentiality
In a school setting, confidentiality means that what a student discusses with the school counselor is kept private unless there is a compelling reason to share the information. While school counselors are not bound by the same legal “privilege” that attorneys or therapists in private practice might be, we do adhere to ethical guidelines that protect student privacy to the greatest extent possible within the school environment.
Limits to Confidentiality
There are important exceptions to confidentiality. A counselor is required to break confidentiality if any of the following situations arise:
A student reports that they are being harmed or abused.
A student indicates an intention to harm themselves or others.
There is a serious and imminent risk to a student’s safety or well-being.
A court or legal authority requires disclosure of information.
In such situations, I am obligated to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the student and others, which may involve notifying parents/guardians, school administration, or outside authorities.
If you have any questions about confidentiality or school counseling services, please do not hesitate to reach out. I deeply value your partnership and look forward to working together to support your child’s growth and success.
