

- Kathleen Andrus

Confidentiality of Your Information


Data Protection Act 

Personal data will not be released to a third party where this contravenes the Data Protection Act. However, it is justifiable to make a disclosure without consent: when a student under the age of 18 or a vulnerable adult is believed to be at serious risk of harm; when there is evidence of serious public harm or risk of harm to others; when there is evidence of serious health risk to an individual; when instructed to do so by a court or other statutory agency; in the prevention, detection or prosecution of crime.


A confidential record of my  art therapy sessions, including all artwork, photographic records of artwork, discussions and written documents will remain confidential unless I direct disclosure in writing, or the law requires or permits disclosure. An example of this would be if there were a reason to believe anyone is in immediate, severe danger to health or life including elder or child abuse.



Information discussed in our counseling sessions will remain confidential, except in the circumstances below or any that are mandated by law or by the ethical guidelines of the British Association of Art Therapists and the Health Care and Professions Council

I may break confidentiality in the following instances:


1. If you make written request for the release of information. Also, if you request for diagnosis information (if applicable) to be released on a receipt for payment purposes to an insurance company.


2. If there is risk of serious or foreseeable harm to any person (yourself or another person).


3. If you disclose a life-threatening, communicable disease, I may be obligated to alert an at-risk third party.


4. If I have reason to suspect that a minor-aged, developmentally disabled, or an elderly person is in danger of being abused or neglected. I am legally obligated to report this.


5. If I am ordered to release confidential information by a court of law.


6. If I need to share information with my supervisor, with another professional for consultation, with a health care provider treating you in an emergency, or with other mental health professionals when necessary to coordinate your care. These professionals are also obligated to maintain confidentiality.


 Clients under 18 do not have full confidentiality from their parents.


Secrets cannot be kept by the therapist from others involved in your treatment.