University of Southern Indiana Counseling Center

Limits of Confidentiality

Once a professional relationship is established between you and your counselor, the information disclosed by you in your counseling sessions at the University of Southern Indiana Counseling Center is generally kept confidential and is not part of your academic or health records with the University. This includes records about your use of our services and appointments, your counseling file and any personally identifying information. However, there are exceptions to confidentiality including, but not limited to the following:

• If your counselor determines you are in imminent danger of self-harm
• If there is reason to suspect child, elder, or dependent adult abuse
•  If you report being sexual assaulted and you are under the age of 18
• If you express threats of violence towards another person
• If federal law enforcement officials request your records & other information under the United States Patriot Act
• By a court order or subpoena

Further, your counselor may consult with health care professionals at the USI Student Health Center if medical consultation is deemed necessary, and also may consult with other professionals from whom you have received or currently are receiving medical or psychological treatment. This sharing of information falls under the auspices of “continuity of care” and is meant to be of benefit to you. While your written consent for such consultation is not required, you will be kept informed regarding the nature and extent of such consultations. Finally, your counselor reserves the right to consult with professional colleagues in the USI Counseling Center since the counselors all work under the same pledge to maintain the confidentiality of all students receiving services here.

Other Information On Confidentiality

Releasing Confidential Information that is to Your Benefit
Your counselor may release confidential information about you without your written consent if it is clearly to your benefit for your counselor to do so. For example, if you are hospitalized and will be penalized for your absences from classes, your counselor may send a memo to your professors notifying them of your hospitalization and requesting their consideration in excusing your absences. Another common reason to release information may be to support you in your request for academic accommodations if your condition becomes disabling. Every effort will be made to protect your privacy by sharing only that information that is essential to assisting you.

United States Patriot Act The Patriot Act is congressional legislation that enables government law enforcement officials to access confidential information about you if they have determined you may represent a terrorist threat to the national security of the United States. In addition, the personnel of the USI Counseling Center would not be able to inform you that the government had contacted them about you.

Military or Government Service If you are entering or are in the military, or if you are in government employment that requires that you obtain some sort of security clearance, the USI Counseling Center may be contacted about the confidential services you have received here. In this case, we would make every effort to gain your permission in writing before we release this information.

Electronic Communication
Please know that e-mail communication is not considered confidential communication. Therefore, it is recommended that you communicate with your counselor or with the USI Counseling Center by phone or in person. If you have an emergency situation after hours, you may contact 911 or the USI Security office at 812-464-1845 (off campus) or 7777 (on campus.)