Your Patient Privacy is Legally Protected

All information gathered during the course of counseling can be released only with the student's written consent within the limits of the law.

Counseling is confidential

All information you share with us, whether it is information in our records about you, or even the fact that you have come to see us, cannot be shared with others outside Counseling and Psychological Services. In some circumstances your counselor may consult with other counselors at Counseling and Psychological Services or with providers in the Health Center for treatment purposes and in order to provide you with the best help available.

No one outside the Center may access your Counseling and Psychological Services records without your prior written permission or as required by law.  The law in the State of California mandates that information may be appropriately shared when the following conditions exist:

1. If you present an imminent threat of harm to yourself or others.
2. When there is an indication of abuse of a child, dependent adult or elderly adult.
3. If you become gravely disabled.
4. If information is required by a court subpoena or court order.

If you are referred for counseling as a condition of an agreement, for example with the Dean of Students or within your academic department, and want information communicated to them, including your attendance at Counseling and Psychological Services, you will have to sign an Authorization for Release of Information Form to have any information provided to the person who referred you.

If you are a student*, the University of California follows the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable laws that apply to the use and disclosure of your health information.

If you are a non-student, we may use and disclose your health information as described in the University of California Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Notice of Privacy Practices.

If my parent calls Counseling and Psychological Services and asks about my counseling record, what will happen?

We will only discuss your counseling record with your parent if you have given us express authorization to do so by completing an Authorization For Release of Medical and Mental Health Information.

E-mail Policy

Find out why we don't conduct business by email.

Counseling

Read about our short-term therapy for individuals and couples.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions here!