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Department of Psychology

Confidentiality Commitment for Psychology 3800, 4800, and 4890

Through these applied, field experience courses you have access to privileged information. This information is often personal and capable of doing harm if communicated carelessly or to the wrong persons. Membership in any of these courses, therefore, implies an absolute commitment to tight confidentiality.

Class members should not communicate to anyone, who is not in supervisory position, information obtained about individuals with whom they are working, without appropriate client permission. Even the fact that a person is involved with your program is confidential information.

When talking with other SUU students, who are in the same program, and therefore have access to the same information, respect and good judgment should guide the conversation; for example, not mocking persons and being conscientious to insure that the conversation is not overheard.

Within the Psychology 3800 classroom setting, problems, concerns and situations can be discussed as long as they are presented generally enough to reasonably protect the individual identity of the involved persons. In this case all class members should still safeguard the information from going beyond the classroom.

Written notes and records must also be carefully protected from misplacement or availability to unauthorized persons. As far as is appropriate, do not use last names in journals.

Be aware that Utah State law mandates the breaking of confidentiality in the event that you become aware of serious illegal activity, such as child abuse or intent to commit a crime. These cases are covered in the handout entitled, Duty to Report Laws.

The intent of the confidentiality commitment is to protect those with whom you work, as well as class members, from personal information reaching those who have no need to know that information.

A significant violation of this commitment can result in a class member being dropped from the course and receiving an "F" in the course.

Your signature indicates that you have read this, and that you accept the legal, academic & moral responsibility of maintaining confidentiality.

If you have questions, please ask for clarification before signing.

Printed Name:__________________________________________Date:_______________________

Signature:_________________________________________________

 

| Practicum/Internship | Department of Psychology | College of Humanities & Social Sciences |