Support Group Confidentiality and Disclaimer Agreement

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

Our support group is committed to providing a safe, private, respectful, and supportive environment where members can share without fear of judgment, embarrassment, or unnecessary disclosure. Protecting one another’s privacy is the responsibility of everyone who participates.

Confidentiality

What is shared in the group stays in the group.

Members agree not to share another person’s name, identity, story, personal circumstances, experiences, or anything discussed during meetings with anyone outside the group. Members may share what they personally learned, but not another member’s story or identifying information.

No Recording or Sharing

Audio or video recording, photography, screenshots, or other recording of meetings is not permitted without the express permission of the group leaders and everyone who may be recorded. Another member’s story, comments, photographs, or identifying information may not be posted or shared through social media, text, email, or any other means.

Leader & Co-Leaders Exception

Leader and co-leaders may occasionally seek confidential guidance from a qualified professional, advisor, supervisor, consultant, or other appropriate resource when additional knowledge or assistance is needed. Whenever reasonably possible, names and identifying details will be withheld, and only information necessary to receive guidance will be shared.

Limits of Confidentiality

Information may need to be disclosed when required by law or when there is a serious or immediate concern for someone’s safety. Only information reasonably necessary to address the situation will be shared.

Because this group involves multiple participants, leaders cannot guarantee that every member will maintain confidentiality. Members are encouraged to use personal discretion when deciding what to share.

Privacy Outside the Group

If the leader or co-leader sees a member in public, we will not approach or acknowledge them unless they acknowledge us first. Even then, we will not mention the group, their participation, or anything discussed unless they choose to do so.

Respect, Safety & Personal Choice

Information learned in the group may never be used to gossip about, embarrass, shame, threaten, intimidate, manipulate, retaliate against, expose, or intentionally harm another person.

Members are expected to treat one another with dignity and respect. Threatening, abusive, harassing, or intentionally harmful behavior will not be tolerated. Serious violations may result in being asked to leave the group.

No member is required to share their story, answer personal questions, or participate in a discussion or activity that makes them uncomfortable.

DISCLAIMER & AGREEMENT

Support & Education — Not Therapy

This is a support and educational group, not group psychotherapy, mental-health or medical treatment, legal representation, financial counseling, or a substitute for services provided by appropriately licensed or qualified professionals.

Group leaders and co-leaders are not acting as doctors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, attorneys, legal mediators, or financial advisors during group meetings. We do not diagnose medical or psychological conditions, prescribe or recommend medications, provide medical treatment or psychotherapy, or give legal or financial advice.

Information, education, personal experiences, books, workbooks, exercises, discussions, and other resources provided through the group are for educational and supportive purposes only. Participation does not create a therapist-client, doctor-patient, attorney-client, or other licensed professional relationship.

Personal Responsibility

Each participant is responsible for deciding whether, when, and how to use information discussed or provided in the group. Members are encouraged to make their own decisions regarding their relationships, health, safety, finances, family circumstances, and personal lives and to seek appropriately qualified professional assistance when needed.

Emergency & Crisis Situations

This group is not an emergency or crisis-response service. Anyone who believes they or another person is in immediate danger or experiencing an emergency should contact appropriate emergency services, crisis services, law enforcement, or another qualified professional who can provide immediate assistance.

Acknowledgment & Agreement

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand both sides of this Support Group Confidentiality Agreement & Disclaimer. I agree to respect the confidentiality, privacy, safety, and dignity of other participants.

I understand that participation is voluntary, that confidentiality among participants cannot be absolutely guaranteed, and that I am responsible for my own decisions regarding information and resources provided through the group.