General School Counseling Confidentiality:
A school counselor, who is in a counseling relationship with a student, has an ethical and legal obligation to keep information contained within that relationship. Confidentiality is the ethical and legal term ascribed to the information communicated within the counseling relationship, and it must be maintained unless keeping that information confidential leads to foreseeable harm*. “Serious and foreseeable harm is different for each minor in the school setting and is determined by students’ developmental and chronological age, the setting, parental rights and the nature of harm” (ASCA, 2016, A.2.e).
*Foreseeable harm is defined as someone hurting the student, the student wanting to hurt his/herself, or the student wanting to hurt someone and will be reported as required. For additional related information please review the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors.
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Resources and information provided on this page are not intended to substitute professional advice, treatment, or diagnosis. This site is not a replacement for supervision by mental health or medical practitioners or other professionals working with children. Please consult with qualified professionals directly.
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