UCS staff is aware that successful counseling depends on the student feeling free to express himself or herself. To facilitate this, strict confidentiality is maintained.

How Private is Private?

An Assurance of Confidentiality

In matters of privacy University Counseling Services adheres to both the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association and the legal standards of the State of Wisconsin. These standards and laws guarantee that everything a student talks about is held in strictest confidence. This confidence can be broken only after the student gives written permission to release information. The Counseling Services will not even acknowledge to parents or any university personnel that a student has been seen at the Counseling Services, unless the student first gives written authorization. An exception to these standards arises when there is a perceived danger to life or to a vulnerable other such as in cases of physical or sexual abuse of a child. Additionally, the courts could subpoena counseling records if they were aware they existed and saw them as relevant to a criminal case.

From time to time UCS counselors consult one another about specific cases in order to provide the most effective service. The information disclosed remains confidential within Counseling Services, and case consultations are done without the use of names whenever possible. Any exception to this policy requires written consent from the student.

Also, any counseling notes taken by the counselor and any other counseling records (test scores, for example) do not become a part of the students' official University file at any time. If students have any questions about privacy in counseling, a counselor will be glad to discuss them.