Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy and is protected by several measures, including legal and ethical standards. Therapists are bound by legal and ethical standards that require them to keep information shared during therapy sessions confidential. This is typically outlined in laws and professional codes of conduct such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States.

Clients are typically informed about the limits of confidentiality during the initial intake process. Therapists explain when they may be required to breach confidentiality, such as when there is a risk of harm to the client or others, or when mandated by law.

Therapy sessions are also conducted in private and secure environments to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to client information. This may include physical measures such as soundproofing rooms and digital measures such as encrypted communication platforms.