Larry, please provide evidence of what you are alleging. I have worked in mental health for nearly 20 years and have never known or even heard of a single instance of the type of breach you describe.

Lee, at 9:19 am EST on December 2, 2005

Larry

Larry, I have several friends who have taken counciling at their universities — they very much belong and college and are handling their situations well.

While breaches of privacy are not as uncommon as some believe, they certainly are not as common or as lightly taken as you suggested.

This suggestion is another poor one based on the “I’m a victim! Give me money” trial lawyer system that somehow decided the a university is responsible for preventing suicides (lets see how that goes against jobs in which people commit suicide).

This program will be terribly counterproductive in several ways. GW, don’t let this fly.

Kevin, Undergraduate, at 11:28 am EST on December 2, 2005

All professional counseling practitioners are aware of their legal and ethical obligations to make warnings when immediate danger to the self is being expressed by a client. This ethical exception to the rule of confidentiality is specifically aimed at client protection, as are all confidentiality process guides. George Washington University seems to be turning this on its head by asking that regulations be created for the protection of the institution that clearly violate the client’s rights. How will providing notes of a session to an academic administrator (clearly more than notifying a specialized professional of a specific situation of self-created danger)serve any interest except the institution’s. University administrators are not usually trained psychiatric professionals and have no business being provided confidential information about clients in any counseling situation.

Wilson Watt, Ph.D.,MSW, Associate Professor at SSW-U of Missouri, at 11:50 am EST on December 2, 2005

I am glad that a few people here will admit that at least some in the counseling community have understood that there are pressures to release information, and that some have caved in. But, to begin, contrary to the rhetoric of many, going to a shrink is often seen as a weakness. I know that my family would disown me if I ever did because we come from a culture of strength. Even the women. Many careers and licensing bodies look down upon people with mental problems: for good reason – they must serve others without fail and if they are going to rely on counseling, they won’t be able to provide as high a level of service.

Kevin, since you are big enough to admit that there are some breaches I will just point out that each breach means victimizes the student whose personal details are breached. I don’t know the exact number of breaches, but I do know, as another poster points out that there are many administrators who will ask for “off the record” conversations about a given student so they can “find out” if they are a “danger” to themselves and others. When a counselor caves, students lives are ruined. In some cases, students have been kicked off campus (as has happened at GWU).

Counselors who claim that breaches of confidentiality never happen are in denail.

Wilson Watt, In my experience, most counselors are NOT aware of their duties to tell other people about their patient’s personal details. Most of the time they don’t know the difference between “may” and “shall.” Some of the time the law on the subject is nebulous. A lot of the time, they defer to the opinions of attorneys who don’t represent them or their students. For instance, in many cases, counselors will rely on representations by prosecutors regarding their obligations when the law might just as well be construed in favor of confidentiality. This might be because the law is vague, or because the prosecutor is trying to get additional evidence without having to go into court for it. Most therapists don’t like going into court and risking their freedom, especially when their employer is on the same side as the person trying to compel the production of information.

Larry, at 4:29 pm EST on December 2, 2005

Kevin, If someone a lawsuit does not state a claim upon which relief could be granted it will be dismissed. Lawsuits are quite expensive, and if the suit lacks merit it likely would not be brought. But, unless you know exactly what the claims are against the administrators, I think that you might be repeating stuff you heard on TV.

Larry, at 6:27 pm EST on December 2, 2005

Confidentiality PS:

I have to agree with DrBob there. If I had my personal say about who was “healthy” enough to be working in many sensitive careers, there would be a *ton* fewer people on the job! (And I would be more likely to recommend someone for work who *was* attending treatment, in many cases.)

Liz, at 10:24 am EST on December 5, 2005

In reading GWU’s proposal of signing a waiver if receiving counseling, I felt sickened at the thought. This shows no regard to the students, or their welfare or their education or their future or in any way wanting to help. If you are in the field of education, isn’t the student your top priority? It seems to me that GWU is in the business of making money and protecting their assets – the student is just a means to getting there. They want to make sure that if a student (or employee) could possibly have a mental problem, that their hands are clean and get that person out of there (as they have done). It certainly makes clear GWU’s level of compassion and interest in young people. I also don’t think they could make a stronger statement against seeking treatment, which seems to me, they are contributing to making the problem worse. Maybe that’s what bothers them.When it comes to choosing where you will spend four years and $100,000 — $200,000 dollars you better check that list twice.

Chris, 30 year educator, at 4:27 pm EST on December 11, 2005