STRAINS ON CONFIDENTIALITY IN COLLEGE-STUDENT PSYCHOTHERAPY - ENTANGLED THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS, INCIDENTAL ENCOUNTERS, AND 3RD-PARTY INQUIRIES

The practice of psychotherapy on a college campus appears to be partic ularly vulnerable to strains on confidentiality. These occur either wh en (a) circumstances pose challenges to the maintenance of confidentia lity or (b) negative consequences for therapists result from adherence to confidentiality. This article examines 3 specific types of situati ons that can result in strains on confidentiality for college campus p ractitioners: entangled therapeutic relationships, incidental encounte rs, and third-party inquiries. Suggestions for handling each type of s ituation are offered.