Confidentiality is an essential part of any clinical relationship. All aspects of your participation in clinical services at the Counseling & Mental Health Center, including the scheduling of appointments, content of counseling sessions, and any records that we keep, are confidential as outlined by federal and state law. Please read our Consent Form and Notice of Privacy Practices which both provide more detail about how we handle your confidential information. Communication between a clinician and a client may only be disclosed when: (a) the client signs a Consent Form and/or our release of information form authorizing such disclosure, (b) in cases of immediate danger of serious harm to the client or someone else, or (c) other infrequent circumstances as described below under "Limits of Confidentiality." Counseling records are maintained in files completely separate from the student's academic records and can not be accessed by faculty, parents, or any non-CMHC staff without the client's signed authorization. Clients are encouraged to address any questions or concerns about this important issue with their clinician.
CMHC operates within professional ethical guidelines and applicable federal and state laws which protect the privacy of your mental health records.
(For more information, see our Notice of Privacy Practices)
Notice of Privacy Practices
In most cases, your written and signed authorization is required before information concerning your care can be disclosed to individuals outside of CMHC, including parents, roommates, friends, faculty, and partners. Below are some of the cases in which the law dictates that your signed authorization may not be required in order for CMHC to release information:
Your comments and your formal evaluations are essential to our continuing effort to improve the quality of our services.
Feedback regarding ethical or professional conduct may be reported to the Director or the Senior Associate Director for an internal review. Fill out this form to submit your feedback or call CMHC at 512-471-3515. If your feedback has not been addressed to your satisfaction, then you may verify a license or file a complaint with the licensing board of the service provider involved. We ask that you complete the evaluation forms provided to you, so that we can assess the quality of our service delivery.
I hereby grant my permission for any counseling, testing, or diagnostic evaluation that may be deemed necessary by my clinicians. I understand that treatment is a joint effort between my clinicians and myself, the results of which cannot be guaranteed. Progress depends on many factors including motivation, effort, and other life circumstances. I agree that I will be responsible for the payment of all fees. I know that I can end treatment at any time and that I can refuse any requests or recommendations made by my clinicians.
Authorization to Receive or Release Information
Consent
Limits of Confidentiality
Consent for Treatment of a Minor
About Your Counseling Record
Client Rights and Responsibilities
Consent Form
Limits of Confidentiality
About Your Counseling Record
Your counseling record contains documentation relevant to your care at the Counseling and Mental Health Center ("CMHC"). It will be retained for at least seven years after your last contact for services.
Your Rights
You will be asked periodically to provide a more formal evaluation of the services you receive at CMHC. If you wish to comment on the services you have received, you may do so at any time. Comment forms are available at our website, at the Front Desk, and in the waiting areas. You may leave your completed comments in one of the locked boxes in the waiting area or at the Front Desk. You may also contact one of the Assistant or Associate Directors by telephone or in writing.
A clinician may meet with you for one or two sessions to determine the kind of services that will best meet your needs, and whether we can provide those services here at CMHC. If your needs cannot be met within this agency, you will be given referrals for off-campus clinicians or other resources.
Your clinician will do everything possible to protect your physical and emotional welfare. This includes intervening on your behalf if your well-being becomes threatened by emotional or physical stress.
Your Responsibilities
All students who come to CMHC are asked to complete paperwork prior to seeing a clinician for an initial consultation.
You are expected to attend and be on time for all scheduled appointments. If you are unable to attend a session, it is your responsibility to cancel no later than noon the day PRIOR to your appointment. You will be charged a $25 charge if you miss your appointment without canceling by that time.
Please note that the $25 charge will appear on your UT "What I Owe" page as "CMHC No Show / Late Cancellation charge." Thus, anyone given access to that page will be able to view the charge.
To benefit from the services you receive, you should be prepared for your sessions, actively participate with your clinician, and carry out plans made with your clinician.
Consent
Consent Form for Minors
If you are under the age of 18, Texas State Law requires that we obtain permission from your parent or managing conservator/guardian in order to offer you counseling services.