Running head: A FOCUS ON ETHICS 1
ETHICAL ANALYSIS
NAME
INSTITUTION AFFILIATION
ETHICAL ANALYSIS 2
Ethical Analysis
Abstract
In the video, there is a receptionist who works in a counseling center. She is approached by a
man who claims to be the husband to a counseling client, who first confirms personal
information about the client. The receptionist goes ahead and divulges the information, and then
takes a message for the client. However, when the client comes from the counseling, she tells the
client that she has been going through a divorce with the husband. However, the husband has
been trying to establish the mental and emotional instability of the client to use it against her in
child custody hearings. The receptionist should not have divulged such information without
consent from the client. Additionally, the information divulged was not helpful to the counseling
process but rather prejudicial. The scenario shows how counseling personnel should be on the
lookout when dealing with third parties, and how to safeguard information. The receptionist
overstepped her mandate and violated the privacy rights of the client.
Did the receptionist violate principle of confidentiality?
The confidentiality principle seeks to safeguard the personal and sensitive information that
clinical practitioners have access to, and can only be shared in matters of absolute necessity, and
for the benefit of the client. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountant Act
(HIPAA), any release of information that identifies a client can only be done after a signed
consent from a client to permit release of such information. The American Counseling Board
also identifies trust and confidentiality as one of the most defining elements of a fruitful client-
counselor relationship (Herold & Beaver, 2014). When one looks at the underlying issues that
the receptionist alludes to, there is a clear breach of confidentiality. The receptionist not only
ETHICAL ANALYSIS 3
releases identity of the client without ascertaining the identity of the husband but also divulges
information that is prejudicial to the welfare of the client. The reception acted unethically and is
liable to disciplinary action for such acts.
ACA Codes
Code A.2.e: Mandated Clients
In this code, counselors have a restriction on the people who have access to information that is
discussed. It implies that the client has the explicit responsibility to either allow or deny some of
the people proposed to access such information, and this means that unless the client in the
scenario allows the husband to be aware of her situation, the receptionist did not have any power
whatsoever to inform the husband on the client’s personal information.
Code B.2.e: Minimal Disclosure
The counseling centers may divulge any information disclosed to any other parties, but this can
only happen through involving the client, and thus keeping them updated. In this case, the
receptionist does not seek approval from the client.
Code B.3.D: Third Party Payers
Again, any information released to third parties must be approved by the client.
Section three
Alabama State codes
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Code B.1.a: Respect for privacy
Under this code, the state directs that counseling agents should avoid any unnecessary contacts
and illegalities that warrant the disclosure of confidential client information with any
unauthorized parties.
Code B.1.f: Minimal disclosure
Under this code, Alabama State gives an ethical disposition that “when circumstances require the
disclosure of confidential information, only essential information is revealed. To the extent
possible, clients are informed before confidential information is disclosed” (Herlihy et al., 2017,
p.72) and this is what the receptionist overlooks.
Code B.2.b: Family Relationship Counseling
In this section, the code says even in cases of family counseling, the information about one
family member cannot be divulged to another family member without the explicit permission
from the client.
ETHICAL ANALYSIS 5
References
Herlihy, B., Healy, M., COOK, E. P., & Hudson, P. (2017). Ethical practices of licensed
professional counselors: A survey of state licensing boards. Counselor Education and
Supervision, 27(1), 69-76.
Herold, R., & Beaver, K. (2014). The practical guide to HIPAA privacy and security compliance.
CRC Press.
