Marshall Middle Academy of Fine Arts
School Counseling Confidentiality Guidelines 

Your confidentiality as a scholar is important to us! In our school counseling office, what is said here, stays here, with the following exceptions, as required by law and/or ethical standards: 

1. Harm to self or others 
This could include things like a suicide attempt or plan, cutting or other self-injury, eating disorders, addictions, fighting or other physical violence, illegal behaviors, threats, etc. Anything that puts your health or safety, or someone else’s health and safety at risk. 

2. Abuse or neglect 
If you talk with one of us (school counselor or social worker) about abuse (physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or other abuse) whether to yourself or to another minor, we are required by law to report to Child Protective Services (CPS) and possible to the police. If you tell us about an abuse case that’s already been addressed by CPS on the police, we still may need to make a call to double-check. 

3. Court or other legal proceedings 
By law, if we are subpoenaed (required by law to attend a hearing or other court proceedings), we cannot guarantee that your information will be kept confidential. We will always do our best to reveal as little as possible in a legal setting, but we must cooperate with the police, CPS, and the courts. 

If there is ever the need to reveal information, we will let you know in advance and work with you to handle the situation in a way that respects you, your feelings, and your needs.