Eligibility

Counseling Center services are free of charge to currently enrolled students who have paid registration fees. Sometimes other people important in your life, such as spouses/partners, parents, children, or friends, may be involved in therapy sessions with you. The need to involve others will be determined by you and your therapist.

During the summer, students who are enrolled in the preceding spring quarter and are registered for the following fall quarter may receive services depending on service demands.

Students who are Minors (under 18 years of age)

Students who are not 18 years of age can be seen for therapy without parental consent if the student is 12 years or older and is mature enough to participate intelligently in the treatment. Although parental consent is not required for therapy under above circumstances, your therapist is required to involve your parent or legal guardian in the treatment unless their involvement would be inappropriate. Your therapist will speak with you first before making the decision to involve your parents. However, your parent or legal guardian does not automatically have access to your mental health records.

Confidentiality

In keeping with ethical standards, as well as California and federal laws, all services provided by Counseling Center staff and the records of these services are confidential to the extent allowed by law.

There are exceptions which include, but are not limited to:

• • • • • • If you provide written permission and request that we share information about the services you receive, the Counseling Center staff will share appropriate information with the designated people or agencies.
          • We consult as needed within the staff of the Counseling Center about the best way to provide the assistance that you might need.
          • Counseling Center staff members will share information about your services and/or your treatment records with your other mental health and/or health care providers when your Counseling Center provider believes that the information will benefit your care.
          • The Counseling Center shares an electronic medical system with the UCI Student Health Center, UCI Campus Assault and Resource Education, UCI Campus Social Workers, and the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Wellness Health and Counseling. The following specific fields of your electronic record may be visible to all of the above offices: appointment dates, your medications, allergies, problem lists, laboratory tests ordered, laboratory results, referral forms, and some letters from your providers.
          • Information from client records may be used for research purposes as allowed by state and federal law (e.g., client utilization data, clients’ top concerns).
          • Some administrative functions (such as technical maintenance, quality assurance and performance improvement, clinic/center operations, and professional audits) require access to our client records by Counseling Center staff members and affiliated professionals. These professionals maintain confidentiality within their jobs.
          • The Counseling Center professional staff have ethical and/or legal responsibilities to disclose client information without prior consent when:
            • • • • • A client is likely to harm themselves or others unless protective measures are taken.
                    • When the client lacks the capacity to care for themselves.
                    • When there is a reasonable suspicion of abuse of children (including developing or accessing child pornography), dependent adults or the elderly.
                    • When there is a valid court order for the disclosure of client information and/or records.
                    • Note: Some court orders require that the Counseling Center abstain from notifying the client of the release of clinical information and/or records.

Notice to Consumers

Board of Psychology Notice to Consumers

Board of Behavioral Sciences Notice to Consumers