🔒 Your Secrets Are Safe: Why Therapy is Always Private and Confidential

Taking the step to start psychotherapy or counselling often comes with a crucial question: Can I trust my therapist?

In a world where data privacy feels increasingly fragile, knowing that your most personal thoughts, fears, and struggles will remain absolutely private is fundamental. At Balanced Life Psychotherapy & Counselling, we want to reassure you that the confidentiality of your sessions is not a matter of personal choice—it is a legal, ethical, and moral necessity that forms the very foundation of our work.

The Regulatory and Legal Foundation

Confidentiality is a non-negotiable requirement governed by professional bodies and, often, by law. This is the bedrock that legally binds your therapist to silence.

1. Professional Body Mandates (SAC, BACP)

As a practice registered with major professional associations like the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) and the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), we are bound by strict Codes of Ethics. These codes explicitly mandate client confidentiality as a primary duty.

SAC Code of Ethics (Example): Therapists must protect the client's right to privacy and disclosure. Information shared can only be revealed with the client's explicit consent, or under very specific, legally defined circumstances (see Exceptions below).

Data Protection: We adhere to Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), ensuring that all your records, notes, and personal contact information are stored securely, digitally encrypted, and are only accessible by authorized personnel.

2. Legal Privilege and Limitations

While Singapore does not grant the same statutory "privilege" to therapist-client communications as it does to lawyer-client communications, the professional ethical obligation remains extremely high. Your therapist generally cannot be compelled to disclose your information unless a specific court order is issued in the interest of justice, or if a mandatory reporting law applies.

The Moral and Ethical Imperative

Beyond the legal fine print, confidentiality is crucial for a far simpler reason: therapy cannot work without it.

1. Trust is the Tool of Therapy

The therapeutic relationship is built entirely on trust. You must feel completely safe to share your vulnerabilities, dark thoughts, shameful memories, and private conflicts. If you worry that your words will leave the room, you will inevitably hold back, making the process ineffective.

The Ethical Duty to Care: Morally, a therapist's primary responsibility is to the client's well-being. Breaching confidentiality destroys that relationship and harms the client's psychological safety.

2. Supporting Authenticity: Confidentiality creates a sanctuary for truth. It allows you to explore feelings and ideas that you may not even admit to yourself, let alone your family or employer. This safe space is where you can be truly authentic, which is the necessary first step toward lasting change and healing.

🚨 The Essential Exceptions: When Confidentiality Must Be Broken

While the pledge of confidentiality is nearly absolute, there are a few, strictly defined legal and ethical limits where a therapist is obligated to disclose information. These are known as the "Duty to Warn" or mandatory reporting requirements.

Confidentiality must be broken only when:

Imminent Risk of Harm to Self: The therapist has reason to believe the client is an immediate and serious danger to themselves (e.g., they have a specific plan for suicide).

Imminent Risk of Harm to Others: The therapist has reason to believe the client poses an immediate and serious threat of violence or physical harm to an identifiable third party.

Abuse of Vulnerable Persons: The therapist learns of ongoing abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or other vulnerable person who is still at risk.

Court Order: The therapist receives a valid court order or subpoena compelling the release of records (this is rare and is often challenged by the therapist's legal team).

In nearly all other cases—including information about past illegal acts, family disputes, or relationship difficulties—your therapist is ethically and professionally bound to keep your confidence. Furthermore, if a breach must occur, the therapist will only disclose the minimum information necessary and will aim to discuss this disclosure with you beforehand, if possible.

Your privacy is our promise. It is the professional framework that allows us to help you find balance, hope, and healing.