Right away when I first meet with a client I make the following statement regarding confidentiality :
“So that you are aware, it is my policy to keep everything we discuss in confidence with the exception being that if I feel you may hurt yourself or someone else. And of course on the off chance I am required to speak up by law (court subpoenas etc).” I usually smile after that to lighten the mood.
I also make sure that the above statement is also written in my policies and procedures, which is given out prior to our first official session.
Coach Mackenzie
I do alot of work with children and adolescents – they need to know that I cannot keep a confidence if they reveal to me that they are being hurt. So for adolescents and children the following confidences apply.
1. you are going to hurt someone
2. someone is hurting you
3. you are planning to hurt yourself
4. mandated to testify in court of law