Confidentiality
The UW Centre for Mental Health Research operates under strict adherence to the ethical standards of the College of Psychologists of Ontario and the Canadian and American Psychological Association guidelines. The fact that you have contacted us at all is confidential, and all of the information you provide at every step is wholly confidential. That means that we would not release any information about you by any means (e.g., phone, letter) to anyone (including your physician, spouse/partner or other family members) without your written permission. There are exceptions to this:
- Our therapists do work under the direct supervision of licensed psychologists. In order for the supervisor to adequately supervise, he/she must either observe sessions or view/hear the session by video- or audiotape. Other therapists may also observe cases with the supervisor as a means of broadening their training. All those involved with the Centre are bound by the same ethical standards of confidentiality. Please note that all of our rooms have one-way mirrors through which the session may be observed live or videotaped; observers and video-cameras are not in the room.
- There are exceptional circumstances in which by law we must share information about you with people outside the Centre. Please note that all healthcare-providers are bound by the same laws. By law, we must break confidentiality if:
- you clearly pose a physical danger to yourself or someone else
- you provide us with any information that suggests that a child is or has been at risk for physical or sexual abuse
- you reveal that you have been sexually abused by a member of a profession
- our record on you is subpoenaed by the courts
