Confidentiality of our services is very important to us. The therapeutic relationship and what is discussed by a therapist and client are considered private. Your Counseling Center and CARE records are protected by federal and state laws, and by professional standards and ethics. Clinical records are completely separate from educational records and cannot be accessed by parents, faculty, staff, administrators or others without your written permission or court order. Clients and client information may be discussed by staff within the center for treatment, administrative, supervisory, and training purposes. Please note, there are some situations when all mental health professionals are legally mandated to break confidentiality. 

Release of information outside of the Georgia Tech Center for Mental Health Care and Resources requires your written permission with the following EXCEPTIONS:

  • You are considered at immediate risk for harming yourself
  • You are considered at immediate risk for harming others
  • Previous or current child abuse
  • Abuse of elderly persons or persons with disabilities
  • A court order

We may be required to disclose your health information to authorized federal officials who are conducting national security and intelligence activities or providing protective services to important officials. By law, we may be restricted from disclosing to you that information was disclosed to the government (e.g., Patriot Act).

A note about E-mail

E-mail is not an appropriate medium for engaging in personal counseling and relaying other private information. Thus, e-mail cannot be used to initiate therapeutic conversations. Unfortunately, e-mail is not always confidential and cannot be guaranteed to be an effective or timely means of communication. The Center for Mental Health Care and Resources does not communicate confidential information by e-mail. E-mail is only used for scheduling purposes. If you are in an urgent situation, it is always best to call the Counseling Center (404) 894-2575 or CARE (404) 894-3498 for assistance. In an emergency call 911.