# Is therapy confidential?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/is-therapy-confidential
For: Patients | Mental health care | Last reviewed 23 July 2026

**Answer:** Therapy is generally private, but confidentiality is not unlimited. Your provider should explain what is recorded, who can access your records and when information may be shared, for example for supervision, payment or referrals. Limits usually apply when there is a serious risk of harm, to protect children or vulnerable people, or under a court order or other legal duty. Exact rules depend on the country, the provider, the setting and the patient's age.

### What confidentiality usually covers

- What you discuss in sessions and what is written in your record.
- Who can access your information, and how it is used for treatment, supervision, payment, referrals and quality review.
- Whether family can be told anything. In many settings information is not shared without your permission, but age, guardianship or safety can create exceptions.

### Why there are limits

A provider may need to act if there is a serious risk of harm, to protect a child or vulnerable person, or because of a court order or other legal duty. These rules vary by country, so ask about them at the start. In Kenya, health information is treated as sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 2019.

[See also: Who can see my health information?](https://tymirahealth.com/faqs/who-can-see-my-health-information)

> **Important:** If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, contact emergency services now. In Kenya, call 999, 112 or 911. Outside Kenya, use the emergency number for your location.

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- [Can alcohol, cannabis or other drugs cause mental health problems?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-alcohol-cannabis-or-other-drugs-cause-mental-health-problems)

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**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

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