Information may be shared with others when appropriate permission is obtained from the student and, depending on the age of the student, from their parents. The obvious exception to this is when a student is felt to be a serious danger to self or others. Faculty and parents may always share information that they determine will be helpful to Clearings in their work with students. Although therapists are not free to discuss what is heard in confidence they are certainly open to any additional information germane to a student's well-being. General topics of concern that are raised by faculty can certainly be discussed in that manner, i.e., generally and without sharing specific information regarding a particular student.
Clearings wants very much to be a resource as often as possible.
In the event a member of the Clearings staff determines that a student is seriously depressed and likely to hurt him or herself, the therapist is obligated to take action. The action is designed to keep the student safe. In those rare instances where students refuse permission for outside discussion, the therapist is bound to break their confidentiality. At those times the therapist will contact the parents or legal guardians of the student directly. If parents choose not to include the school in planning for the student, that student will not be seen on campus by Clearings staff.