Confidentiality & Non-Recording Agreement for Cicada Virtual Support Groups
1. Purpose
The purpose of this agreement is to create a safe, respectful, and confidential environment for all participants in virtual support groups.
2. Confidentiality Commitment
By participating in this support group, you agree to the following:
- All participants are expected to maintain the confidentiality of information shared during group sessions. While Cicada Therapy & Consulting requires every participant to agree to these confidentiality obligations, confidentiality ultimately depends on each participant honoring this agreement, and absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
- You will not disclose, share, or repeat any identifying or sensitive information learned about other participants outside the group.
- Confidentiality applies to names, stories, experiences, identities, and any other personal details shared during sessions.
3. Prohibition on Recording and Screenshots
To protect the privacy of all participants:
- Recording of any kind is strictly prohibited, including:
- Audio recordings
- Video recordings
- Screen recordings
- Screenshots, photos, or any form of image capture are strictly prohibited.
- You agree not to use any external device or software (including phones, cameras, or third-party apps) to capture or store session content.
4. Zoom & Technology Use
- You must be in a private and secure location with headphones on in order to participate in the group. If it appears that you are in a public space where others can overhear or view the session or are not wearing headphones, you will be removed from the group. This is to help maintain member privacy and confidentiality.
- You will not allow non-participants to listen to or observe the session.
- You must show up to the support group with your video ON in order to participate in the group. If you do not turn on your video during the group discussion, you will be removed from the group.
- Please change your name in your video window to be your FIRST NAME ONLY to protect your privacy. (We will share directions for how to do this in your final confirmation email for the group.)
- You understand that while the organization takes reasonable steps to ensure platform security, complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in virtual environments.
5. Respectful Participation
- You agree to engage respectfully and avoid behavior that could compromise the safety or privacy of others which includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Participate in good faith
- Respect the facilitator's instructions and group structure
- Avoid monopolizing discussions so others have an opportunity to participate
- Refrain from disruptive behavior that interferes with the group's purpose or the safety and comfort of other participants
- Avoid attending while under the apparent influence of alcohol or illegal drugs if doing so would impair participation or create a disruption
- Any violation of this agreement may result in immediate removal from the group and/or termination of participation privileges.
6.Nature of the Support Group & Confidentiality
- This support group is intended to provide peer support, education, and facilitated discussion. It is not psychotherapy, counseling, mental health treatment, or a substitute for professional mental health care.
- Participation in this support group does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Cicada Therapy & Consulting or the group's facilitator unless you separately enter into a formal therapeutic relationship through the practice.
- Because this is a support group rather than psychotherapy, communications during the group are not protected by therapist-client privilege.
- Cicada Therapy & Consulting requires every participant to agree to maintain the confidentiality of information shared during the group. However, because participation involves other individuals, Cicada Therapy & Consulting cannot guarantee that every participant will fully comply with these confidentiality obligations or that information shared in the group will never be disclosed by another participant.
- If a participant is found to have violated this agreement by recording, sharing, or otherwise disclosing confidential information, Cicada Therapy & Consulting may immediately remove that participant from the group without refund and may pursue any legal or equitable remedies available under applicable law.
7. Limits of Confidentiality
Confidentiality may be broken only under the following circumstances:
- If there is a risk of harm to yourself or others
- If there is suspected abuse or neglect, as required by law
- If disclosure is otherwise required by applicable law or court order
8. Liquidated Damages for Breach
You acknowledge that unauthorized recording, distribution, or disclosure of confidential information from the support group would cause significant harm to participants and the organization, and that such harm may be difficult to quantify.
Accordingly, you agree that:
- In the event you record, screenshot, distribute, or otherwise disclose confidential information from any session in violation of this agreement,the organization reserves the right to pursue all available legal and equitable remedies, including injunctive relief and recovery of any damages permitted by law resulting from a breach of this agreement.
- This amount represents a reasonable estimate of the anticipated damages and is not intended as a penalty.
- Each act of recording, sharing, or disclosure may be treated as a separate violation.
- The organization reserves the right to seek additional legal or equitable remedies, including injunctive relief, to prevent further unauthorized use or disclosure.
9. Acknowledgment and Agreement
By checking the agreement box and signing below (or by participating in the session), you acknowledge that:
- You have read and understand this agreement
- You agree to abide by all confidentiality and non-recording rules
- You understand the importance of maintaining a safe and private environment for all participants