Confidentiality |
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Professional ethical codes and state and new federal laws require that we inform our clients about our privacy practices. All of the staff at the Northwestern Counseling and Career Services office must abide by these privacy practices. You have the right to confidentiality. We are required by law to maintain your privacy.
Without your specific consent or authorization, we may use or disclose health information about you:
- For counseling services: We may use or disclose information to assure that quality care was provided to you, such as reviewing your treatment and services to evaluate the performance of our staff who provide your services.
- We may use or disclose your private information without your consent or authorization in the following:
- Instances in which imminent danger or serious harm to you or to others is present.
- Information from you that there is child abuse or elderly/ dependant abuse occurring either by you or someone you know. A counselor must reveal information to prevent harm of these types.
- (Legal) Judicial proceedings-If you are involved in court proceedings and a request for records or privileged information (under state law) is made to us about your health care, we will not release information without your consent or a court order.
- Workman's Compensation
Your Individual Rights Regarding Your Private Health Information
- Complaints: If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the Director of Counseling and Career Services (Rebecca K. Boone). All complaints must be submitted in writing. You will not be penalized or discriminated against for filing a complaint.
- Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request a restriction on the information we use or disclose about you for treatment to someone who is involved in your care. We DO NOT have to honor this request, but if we do, we will comply with the request unless the information is needed to provide emergency treatment. You must submit your request in writing to the Director of Counseling and Career Services and state what information you want to limit.
- Right to Request Confidential Communications: You have the right to request how we should communicate with you and where you would like any communications sent. Discuss your wishes with your counselor and specify on the "How May We Contact You" form you will fill out at intake. We will accommodate all reasonable requests without explanation.
- While in some settings you have the right to inspect and copy health information, this DOES NOT apply to psychotherapy notes, information compiled for use in civil, criminal or administrative action or proceedings, and protected health care information to which access is protected by law.
- If you feel that the information we have regarding you and your therapy is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. This request must be made in writing.
- You have the right to request a list of all disclosures made regarding your information, in writing, stating the time period of said disclosures ( no longer than six years). Indicate the form (letter or electronic) in which you would like to receive the information.
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Referral |
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Sometimes the severity of a student's problems require long-term counseling and/or medication. The professional counselors at NSU Counseling and Career Services will, when necessary, refer the student to an outside agency or professional. The student's counseling record will not be released or discussed with the outside professional without the written consent of the student. |
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Expectations |
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The professional counselor will integrate various counseling theories and techniques to best meet the counseling needs of the student. The counselor will attempt create a safe and trusting environment that will enable the student to share his/her thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that an understanding of the challenges facing the student can be understood.
In order for this process to be beneficial, the student is expected to arrive on time and to be prepared to work, share thoughts and feelings, and to the best of his/her ability risk challenging habitual patterns and accept responsibility for change.
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