Confidentiality in psychotherapy is the principle that information shared in sessions is not disclosed to third parties without the person’s consent; professional ethical rules and personal data protection legislation frame this principle. Confidentiality is a fundamental principle, but exceptions may apply in cases of legal obligation and risk. These limits are addressed openly at the start of the process.
What does confidentiality in therapy mean?
The ethical rules of the Turkish Psychological Association state that a psychologist is obliged to keep confidential the information obtained from the people they serve; transferring this information to authorities is, as a rule, subject to the permission of the person concerned (or the institution or legal guardian). According to the Association, its ethics legislation is in line with the principles of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA).
This summary rests on the general principles of the ethical rules; for details, the Association’s current text should be taken as the reference. The articles What Is Psychotherapy? and What Is Individual Psychotherapy for Adults? describe the general framework.
How are the limits of confidentiality explained at the start?
Except where conditions are not suitable, the ethical rules provide for the limits of confidentiality to be explained at the beginning of the professional relationship. Informed consent also covers these limits: the person is informed as soon as possible about how the process works, conditions concerning third parties, and the limits of confidentiality, and can ask questions. NIMH likewise notes that, before sessions begin, a person can ask how confidentiality is ensured and whether it has limits. The article What Is Covered in the First Session? gives more detail.
In which situations can confidentiality be limited?
The ethical rules list the following among the situations in which confidentiality may be set aside:
- Situations in which the person has harmed or is likely to harm themselves, the psychologist, or others.
- Any form of abuse directed at children and adolescents under 18, or at older adults or people with disabilities who lack criminal capacity.
In addition, legal obligations may come into play; their scope varies from case to case and cannot be expressed as a general rule in this article.
How are notes, records, and personal data protected?
The ethical rules require that information about the person, assessments, visual recordings, and written documents be kept under protection, and that permission be obtained before audio or video recording. Accordingly, sessions are not audio- or video-recorded unless explicit consent has been given in advance.
Under Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data, health-related data is classified as special category personal data, and additional safeguards are required when processing it; the data controller must also take the technical and administrative measures needed to prevent unlawful access to the data. The Turkish Psychological Association states that psychologists working in their own name are considered data controllers. Practical details, such as whether notes are kept and how they are stored, can be asked about in the first session.
How does supervision fit with confidentiality?
According to the Turkish Psychological Association, the title of psychotherapist requires the completion of supervision processes together with therapy training. The ethical rules ask that only information appropriate and necessary to the purpose be given in supervision and consultation, and that sharing take place for scientific or professional purposes and, where needed, with names and details withheld.
How is confidentiality maintained in online sessions?
Confidentiality principles also apply in online sessions. The ethical rules address telephone, e-mail, chat, and video environments separately; they state that all rules remain fundamental in these settings and that the person must be informed about benefits and risks. The American Psychological Association’s (APA) telepsychology guidelines likewise recommend that confidentiality risks that may increase with technology be shared with the person.
On the person’s side, a quiet and private setting is important; NIMH notes that a session may feel less private if people nearby can see or overhear it. The suitability of the platform in terms of privacy and safety is also taken into account. The article What Is Online Psychotherapy and How Do Sessions Proceed? gives more detail.
Where can concerns about confidentiality or ethics be raised?
When such a concern arises, it is recommended to share it first with the professional conducting the sessions. The routes available depend on the nature of the concern:
- Suspected professional ethics violation: the Ethics Board of the Turkish Psychological Association can conduct ethics reviews only of its own members. For psychologists who are not members, it is stated that the provincial health directorates and public prosecutors’ offices can be approached.
- Protection of personal data: the person concerned can first apply to the data controller; if the request is refused, the response is found inadequate, or no response is received, a complaint can be filed with the Personal Data Protection Board.
- Services received within a health institution: the institution’s Patient Rights Unit or the Ministry of Health Communication Center (SABIM, 184) can be considered.
- Situations that may constitute a crime: legal support can be obtained and the judicial authorities can be approached.
For how titles can be distinguished and verified, see What Is a Psychologist? What Is a Clinical Psychologist and What Do They Do?.
Expert note
Confidentiality is one of the basic principles that form the foundation of trust in the therapeutic relationship; NIMH also notes that trust and good communication are essential in psychotherapy. For this reason, it matters that what confidentiality means, and where it is limited, be discussed openly and in understandable terms.
From a perspective that draws on cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapy theories as well, the work proceeds within this framework of trust, aimed at understanding the person’s experience. The information in this article is general in nature; legal support can be sought for legal questions in a specific situation, and the article does not replace a personal or legal assessment.
Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı
Frequently asked questions
Is what is shared in sessions disclosed to others?
The ethical rules require a psychologist to keep confidential the information obtained from the people they serve; as a rule, the permission of the person (or legal guardian, where relevant) is sought before information is passed to authorities. The next question addresses the limited exceptions.
In which situations can confidentiality be limited?
Among the circumstances in which the ethical rules allow confidentiality to be set aside are cases where a person has harmed or is likely to harm themselves, the psychologist, or others, and abuse directed at children, adolescents, or older adults and people with disabilities who lack criminal capacity. Legal obligations may also come into play; their scope varies from case to case.
Are sessions recorded?
Permission must be obtained before audio or video recording; sessions are not audio- or video-recorded unless explicit consent has been given in advance. Practical details, such as whether notes are taken, can be asked about in the first session.
How is confidentiality protected in online sessions?
The ethical rules state that all rules remain fundamental in online settings as well. On their side, the person can choose a closed, private space, and the suitability of the platform in terms of privacy and safety is also taken into account.
Sources
This article is intended for general information. The following sources were consulted in its preparation (some are in Turkish, some in English):
- Turkish Psychological Association: Frequently Asked Questions (in Turkish)
- Turkish Legislation Information System: Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data (in Turkish)
- NIMH (U.S. National Institute of Mental Health): Psychotherapies
- NIMH: Getting Mental Health Support Virtually
- American Psychological Association (APA): Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology (2013)
This article was prepared by Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı. Last updated: October 23, 2026. The content is for general information only and does not constitute diagnosis, treatment or personal guidance.
