Confidentiality in Therapy: What You Need to Know

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. Everything you share with your therapist is treated as private and confidential, and your therapist is bound by a strict code of ethics and professional standards that govern how your information is stored, used, and protected. Understanding these boundaries can help you feel safer and more able to speak openly in your sessions.

Your therapist will not share what you discuss in sessions with anyone — including family members, friends, employers, or other professionals — without your explicit written consent. If your therapist works within a team or receives clinical supervision (which is a requirement for ethical practice), they may discuss your case in general terms to ensure the quality of your care, but identifying details are kept to a minimum and supervisors are equally bound by confidentiality.

There are a small number of circumstances in which your therapist may be required to share information without your consent. These situations are limited to cases where there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or another person, where there are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult, or where disclosure is required by law (for example, under the Terrorism Act 2000 or in response to a court order). Your therapist will always endeavour to discuss any such disclosure with you first, and will share only the minimum information necessary.

Your clinical records are stored securely in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. You have the right to request access to your records, to request corrections, and to understand how your data is being processed. If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, your therapist will be happy to discuss these at any point during your treatment.