Confidentiality and its limits
Everything you share in therapy is confidential, with four legal limits. De-identified supervision, risk of harm, child or elder abuse reporting, and court orders.
Last reviewed 8 August 2026
Everything you share in therapy at Norwest Wellbeing is confidential. There are four specific, legally grounded exceptions, and outside those, what you say in session stays between you and your practitioner.
The four limits
- Professional supervision (de-identified). Like all responsible clinicians, our practitioners discuss their work in professional supervision to maintain quality of care. Any case material discussed is de-identified: your identity is not disclosed.
- Risk of harm. If there is a serious risk of harm to you or to someone else, your practitioner may need to share information to keep people safe.
- Child or elder abuse. Suspected child or elder abuse triggers mandatory reporting obligations that override confidentiality.
- Court order or subpoena. If a court lawfully orders the release of records, we must comply.
What triggers a disclosure
Disclosures under these limits are rare and never casual. Supervision is routine but de-identified. The risk-of-harm and abuse limits apply only when your practitioner forms a genuine concern about safety, and a court order applies only when legally compelled.
What happens next
If a limit is triggered, your practitioner shares only what is necessary, with only those who need it, for example, emergency services in a safety situation, or the relevant authority for a mandatory report. Wherever possible and appropriate, they will discuss it with you.
How this fits with your records
Confidentiality governs what we disclose; how your information is stored, retained and accessed is governed by our privacy policy. See privacy and your records. These limits are also part of the client service agreement you accept before therapy begins, covered in informed consent. Recordings of your sessions carry additional protections described in session recording consent.
Who to contact
Questions about confidentiality? Ask your practitioner at any point, or contact hello@norwestwellbeing.com.au or (02) 8069 9777. Privacy concerns can go to our Privacy Officer at privacy@norwestwellbeing.com.au.
