Confidentiality

We take cadets' privacy very seriously and adhere to ethical and legal standards to ensure confidentiality. Counseling information can only be disclosed with written authorization..

Exceptions to these strict confidentiality laws are instances when psychologists and counselors are required by federal, state, or local laws. Such exceptions include:

  • There is a substantial likelihood that a client will cause serious physical harm to her/himself or another person unless protective measures are taken. In these cases, Virginia law mandates that the parents of dependent students must be notified of the situation.
  • There is reasonable cause to believe that a child is being abused or neglected or an aged or incapacitated adult is being subject to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  • We receive a court order upon good cause shown or in compliance with a subpoena.
  • We are approached by authorized federal officials for information related to national security and intelligence activities. By law, we may not be able to reveal to the client when we have disclosed such information to the government.
  • The parents of a minor (i.e., a student who is under the age of 18) request information.

Privacy Practice and Informed Consent

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