Confidentiality
The information you provide during a session is confidential. I am not able to discuss the information you provide me with anyone else - even the fact that you have consulted me as a client - without your permission to do so. There are however some exceptions to this rule. Whether or not confidentiality can and should be broken is governed by a number of federal and provincial laws and by the regulatory body, the College of Psychologists in Ontario, which governs whether or not I am able to practise as a psychologist in the Province of Ontario, There are four situations in which confidentiality can be broken.
1.
Harm to Self. If you are at immediate risk for ending your life or committing suicide, I (as a registered psychologist) am expected to and will take appropriate steps ensure your safety and reduce the risks of your harming yourself.
2.
Harm to Others: If you are judged to be likely to harm or injure another person I (as a registered psychologist) am expected to and will take appropriate steps ensure that other person's safety. This could include informing that person of the threat to his or her well-being as well as informing the police of that risk.
3.
Abuse: As part of your assessment, I may ask you about whether or not you ever been abused by someone. This is a standard question that I ask most clients, given the importance and high prevalence of abuse. If you are under the age of 16 and say that you have been abused by a specific person, then I am required by law to report that abuse to the Children's Aid Society, which will then determine whether or not any further investigation or action is required or needed.
4.
Court Order: Although extremely unlikely under most circumstances, there is the possibility that your record of our visits could be requested to be reviewed by a court of law. Should I receive that order, my first response will be to deny the order, arguing that your record is confidential and that the information cannot be released. This will allow me to negotiate what information (if any or all) should be released to the court, which is done so in a manner that protects your interests.