confidentiality
Confidentiality
The promise that what you share in therapy will be protected and not casually shared with others.
Details
Confidentiality means that what you talk about in counseling or therapy is kept private. This protection is one of the main reasons therapy can feel safe enough for honesty. It helps people speak about shame, fear, trauma, and personal struggles more openly. Confidentiality is not absolute in every situation, though. If there is a serious risk of harm, abuse concerns, or a legal requirement, a therapist may need to break confidentiality in limited ways to protect safety.
💡 Real-Life Example
A client wants to talk honestly about a painful family issue and asks whether the therapist will keep it private.
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.