Ethical Vignette
Abstract
There have been significant topics in discussion regarding the confidentiality of
therapists when it comes to clients. Confidentiality is broken when the therapist shares
confidential information with someone else. Confidentiality may be broken if the client is an
immediate danger to themselves or others. Confidentiality is important. With it, the client might
want to share everything with the counselor. A therapist must break confidentiality information
when the client poses an imminent danger to themselves or others; the therapist must break
confidentiality to resolve the danger.
Ethical Vignette
Confidentiality assures that what a client shares with the therapist during a
session will remain private. Confidentiality is broken when the therapist shares
confidential information with someone else. On the other hand, In the video of a helpful
receptionist, the receptionist made a few mistakes because of providing confidential
information to the client's husband. The client mentioned worrying about her husband
finding out she has been seeing a counselor. This problem is legal because the
receptionist shared confidential information. As the code of ethics B.3.a. Subordinates
mentioned, "Counselors make every effort to ensure that privacy and confidentiality of
clients are maintained by subordinates, including employees, supervisees, students,
clerical assistants, and volunteers " (ACA 2014). Another standard that applies from the
Code of Ethics A.2.e. Mandated clients “Counselors discuss the required limitations to
confidentiality when working with clients who have been mandated for counseling
services” (ACA 2014).
Confidentiality may be broken if the client is an immediate danger to themselves
or others. In this situation of the video, the husband and the receptionist were not in
immediate danger, so there was no reason to break confidentiality. The confidentiality of
a client and a therapist makes the relationship strong. When confidentiality is broken, it
creates consequences. The woman whose confidentiality was broken might want to sue
the company, and the receptionist and company can get into trouble with state licensing
boards. Confidentiality is important. With it, the client might want to share everything
with the counselor.
The ethical code from the state that applies to this scenario is
Ethical Vignette
WAC 246-924-363 "The psychologist shall safeguard the confidential information
obtained in the course of practice, teaching, research, or other professional duties. With
the exceptions set forth below, the psychologist shall disclose confidential information to
others only with the informed written consent of the client." In this scenario, the
receptionist disclosed confidential information by telling the man she would tell his wife.
The Aca moral principle that applies to this scenario is veracity because the receptionist
dealt truthfully with individuals with whom counselors come into professional contact. A
therapist must break confidentiality information when the client poses an imminent
danger to themselves or others; the therapist must break confidentiality to resolve the
threat. Another situation when a therapist can share information is when there is a
suspect of child abuse or neglect. The client tells the therapist to share information
about their case. A counselor might reveal confidential information if the counselor
believes the client will likely harm someone else. The therapist must have a reason to
think that there is a plan of action that the client is going to take to commit the murder. A
therapist can break confidentiality over a client's threat of self-harm. In a court order, the
therapist must share confidential client information.
Minors are not old enough to consent to treatment, so parents need to consent
on their behalf. “ A child may be reluctant to disclose information to a therapist if they
know their parents will eventually learn about it ”(Good Therapy 2020). Minor
confidentiality is crucial, but counselors sometimes break confidentiality to protect their
minor clients from harming themselves. Also, “counselors are expected to provide some
feedback when parents/guardians request information about their children (
Lloyd-Hazlett, Moyer., & Sullivan 2017).” Counselors have a conversation with the
Ethical Vignette
parents of the youth when it is a risk-taking behavior such as self-harm, drug use,
antisocial behaviors, sexual behaviors, and alcohol use categories. The reading
mentions that “antisocial behaviors were one of the most highly endorsed reasons a
counselor may break confidentiality”(Lloyd-Hazlett, Moyer., & Sullivan 2017). The
highest level of breaking confidentiality was when a youth wanted to commit
self-harming.
You can get an attorney if a therapist has committed to breaking confidentiality.
Confidentiality is necessary. Counselors need to understand when to break
confidentiality that is in the best interest of the client, especially those who are
underage. To maintain therapist confidentiality, the best thing to do is not to
acknowledge the client if you see them somewhere. A therapist is not permitted to share
any information about their client, only when the therapist is required by law to report
child abuse and neglect or if the therapist thinks the client is in danger to self or others.
If a therapist is guilty of malpractice, there are consequences, such as the suspension
or revocation of their license. There is also legal action that the client might want to
take, such as suing the therapist for damages. Loss of clients might not trust the
therapist and might want to seek treatment elsewhere. Loss of income: The therapist
might not make money because of losing clients and might have difficulty supporting
themselves. A therapist's position is important, but confidentiality should be kept
regardless of the situation so that it does not lead to problems.
Ethical Vignette
Reference
ACA 2014 code of ethics. (n.d.).
https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
Lloyd-Hazlett, J., Moyer, M. S., & Sullivan, J. R. (2017). Adolescent risk-taking
behaviors: When do student counselors break confidentiality? Journal of Child and
Adolescent Counseling,4(2), 178–193. https://doi.org/10.1080/23727810.2017.1381934
Client confidentiality. GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog. (2020, December 15).
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/client-confidentiality#:~:text=For%20licen
sed%20mental%20health%20professionals,their%20clients%20in%20some%20cases.
Person. (2023, February 13). Therapist’s duty of confidentiality. LegalMatch Law Library.
https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/therapists-duty-of-confidentiality.html
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