Confidentiality Obligation Paper

Essay 1: When is therapist self-disclosure “okay” in group counseling? How would it be used? Elaborate.

Remley and Herlihy (2016) defines confidentiality as an ethical concept which refers to the counselor 's obligation to respect the client 's privacy and in session discussion will be protected from disclosure without their consent (p.108). The receptionist never disclosed what was being discussed in wife A session; however, her inadvertent breach of confidentiality occurred the moment she divulged the fact that wife A is a patient at a mental health facility. An important premise to understanding the ethical principle of confidentiality is base that a counselor respects the client 's right to privacy (Remley & Herlihy, 2016; Quigley, 2007). Premise one states the "counselor honor the rights of clients to decide who knows what information about them and in what circumstances" (p.110).

Ethical codes have been developed so that therapists understand the standards for appropriate behavior and maintaining the welfare of the client. All mental health professionals should be proficient in the acknowledgment of any Code of Ethics as they serve as legal guidelines when ethically questionable circumstances arise. Essential to the principles of counseling, a client’s confidentiality is imperative as a therapist is the receiver of an individual’s thoughts and ideas surrounding the concerns for seeking treatment. Item 2.1 in the AAMFT Code of Ethics states how a therapist would disclose and limits of confidentiality, and in what circumstances that a client’s information would be requested. Additionally, item 2.2 is the

Introducing the limits of confidentiality in simple language that a client can understand is the first step in establishing the therapeutic relationship. ?Confidently should be explained to all potential clients with the general understanding that any information gained from the counseling relationship is kept confidential. They must also share that there are limitations when it comes to safety concerns. Examples of these limitations would be if the professional has a concern that the clients are at a risk of harming themself, someone else, or if they are posing a risk to the counselor. There are additional reasons why a counselor will have to break confidentiality in cases when there is a confession that is ordered by the court or requested by the client. They may also need to release records in a situation where a client has filed a complaint towards their counselor (Martin, Shepard & Lehr, 2015).

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“Confidentiality is a professional’s promise or contract to respect clients’ privacy by not disclosing anything revealed during counseling, except under agreed upon conditions.”

Before a counselling session starts it is important that the client understands confidentiality. To be able to understand this the counsellor must explain to the client that anything they say within the

Counselors communicate the parameters of confidentiality in a culturally competent manner” (American Counseling Association , 2014). Once a client trust is gained, it is the therapist obligation to make sure that the client’s confidentiality is within the code of ethics. Because Dr. Lyne is discussing therapeutic issues via email he should take the proper steps to assure himself of all possible issues.

Confidentiality is an important part within the counseling relationship and environment. Discussed content between the client and therapist is strictly prohibited for others outside of this relationship to disclose. Materials such as an informed consent form, explains how confidential information, will be managed. For the counseling profession, this document involves and agrees that communication is kept in confidence by the counselor and private. The communication that is discussed cannot be used as evidence in court, by state and federal law. However, there are

Confidentiality derives from the word confidence which is the mental attitude of believing in or trusting someone or something. While the term confidential indicates privacy (Shorter Oxford English Dictionary). In the profession of counselling, confidentiality has long been a cornerstone. It is a means of giving your client privacy to protect their identity while also insuring that the contents of their session will not be exposed. It is the “secret-keeping” duty that emerges from the professional relationship counselors establish with their clients (Younggren & Harris, 2008). In fact, the 2014 American Counseling Association code of ethics devotes an entire section (Section B) to the standards of confidentiality, it is an ethical obligation

Confidentiality: Confidentiality is a core ethical requirement regarding information shared between the counselee and the counselor. Counseles can be assured that information shared in sessions will be held to the strictest confidence; however, counselees must be made aware that there are instances where the counselor is required to break confidentiality.  Information shared by the counselee regarding actual or threatened harm to self or others must be reported to the proper authorities.

According to the American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014) Code of Ethics, ethical principles are based on a set of values that include autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity. These ethics apply to all types of counseling including both group and individual therapy; however, different aspects of these ethical guidelines must be considered based on the therapeutic approach. This paper will identify several of these ethical issues as they relate specifically to group counseling, while also evaluating how these differences compare to ethical guidelines within an individual approach. Based on this information, a final analysis will be provided on when therapists should choose group versus individual for a client.

Both the ACA (2005) and AACC (2004) code of ethics require the counselor to maintain client confidentiality to the fullest extent. Working in the counseling field, trust is a rock in the foundational of a helping relationship and confidentially plays a large role in the client counselor relationship. Both codes share similarities regarding their stance on confidentiality. When counseling others, a counselor is to inform their clients about their commitment to confidentiality as well as their limits before

Based on the scenario, I would choose not to mention anything about my husband’s boss to him. I would however speak to the concerns my husband may have about leaving his job. This is due to the fact we cannot function on one income alone. While listening to the reasons he may have about leaving his job I would remain objective due to my knowledge of seeing the medical records of his boss. I know because of the HIPPA Act of 1996, by sharing the information about his boss, I am now placing myself in violation.

Confidentiality is an important aspect to consider helping individuals through difficult times. Counselors must develop a relationship for collaborative intervention can contribute to higher quality of individual care when physical, emotional, and spiritual issues are treated together (Howard and Cox, 2008, p. 342).