Confidentiality and Breaching

The work we do together is confidential. Whether you are accessing therapy in-person or online, it is your therapist’s duty to ensure whatever is discussed is private and confidential. For transparency, we do complete a brief note after each session, which is kept on the Jane platform within the clinic. Only your therapist accessing your care would be able to see this information. If you ever have concerns/questions about what is being written, feel free to ask your therapist and we are more than happy to share that information with you. 

There are however limitations to confidentiality. Back Home Therapy practices with clients in Alberta and British Columbia, and we are therefore bound by the Standards of Practice for the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW). According to these standards, information about a client can be shared without a client’s consent: if the client is at imminent harm to themselves or others, when legally required through court processes, when information is required to defend against a complaint of unprofessional conduct to a regulatory college, or when a child’s safety/wellbeing is at risk. For further information around confidentiality specific to the province you are a resident of, please reach out to Back Home Therapy directly, or review the most recent ACSW and BCCSW Standards of Practice. 

Limitations to confidentiality are there to keep you, as the client, and others safe from harm. If through our work together, there is a risk for your safety or the safety of others, then it is our duty of care to raise that concern with the appropriate professionals to ensure further support. If safety concerns are present, and there is a need for confidentiality to be broken, this is something that will always be explored with you (the client) first.