COE Final-Confidentiality, breaching confidentiality, privilege, in communication

(Quiz 4)
Because clients may have emergencies between counseling sessions, it is usually wise for counselors to:
a. instruct clients to call a 24-hour mental health hotline number or report to a hospital emergency room.
b. give clients their home cell phone numbers to text in cases of crisis or emergency.
c. supply clients with a voicemail phone number by which the counselor may be reached.
d. avoid accepting clients for counseling who may have between session emergencies.
e. explain to clients that any situation they are dealing with can be resolved at the next regularly scheduled counseling session.

a. instruct clients to call a 24-hour mental health hotline number or report to a hospital emergency room.

(Quiz 4)
Regarding counselors' personal values, counselors:
a. must always avoid disclosing their own personal values to their clients.
b. should avoid discussions of values if their own own values conflict with those of their clients.
c. could disclose their values to a client, if it is possible to do so in a way that conveys to the client that the clients values can be accepted or rejected without risking the relationship.
d. could disclose their values to a client, but only if the counselor holds the same values as the client
e. should disclose their values to clients so that clients see the counselor as genuine and authentic.

c. could disclose their values to a client, if it is possible to do so in a way that conveys to the client that the clients values can be accepted or rejected without risking the relationship.

(Quiz 4)
When clients seek counseling related to issues such as abortion, assisted suicide, interracial marriage, premarital sex, or sexual identify, counselors:
a. must accept such clients for counseling services even if these issues distress counselors on a personal level.
b. must be able to rise above any personal feelings they have about such issues and have an obligation to assist all clients who come to them for services.
c. must examine their own values regarding these issues to ensure they can provide counseling services without allowing their own beliefs to interfere.
d. should immediately refer such client to other counselors who specialize in counseling persons with those particular concerns.
e. should accept such clients for counseling one if the counselor has experienced such issues in his or her personal life and has successfully resolved them.

c. must examine their own values regarding these issues to ensure they can provide counseling services without allowing their own beliefs to interfere.

(Quiz 4)
With respect to confidentiality and privileged communication:
a. confidentiality and privileged communication are both primarily ethical issues.
b. confidentiality and privileged communication are both primarily legal issues.
c. confidentiality is primarily a legal issue, and privileged communication is primarily an ethical issue.
d. confidentiality is primarily an ethical issues, and privileged communication is primarily a legal issue.
e. it depends on the context as to whether confidentiality and privileged communication are ethical or legal issues.

d. confidentiality is primarily an ethical issues, and privileged communication is primarily a legal issue.

Quiz 4
Disclosure of confidential information is acceptable under all of the following conditions EXCEPT:
a. the counselor suspects abuse or neglect of a child.
b. a client poses a danger to self or others.
c. a counselor is in clinical supervision with another counselor.
d. a client has a fatal, communicable disease and the client's behavior is putting others at risk.
e. an attorney sends a counselor a subpoena.

e. an attorney sends a counselor a subpoena.

What is confidentiality?

The counselor's obligation to respect the client's privacy and the promise to clients that the information they reveal during counseling will be protected from disclosure without htier consent.

Privileged Communication

Laws protect the client from having confidential communications with their counselor disclosed in a court of law without permission. Most narrow term pertaining to confidentiality.

Privacy

Most broad term pertaining to confidentiality. The right of persons to decide what information about themselves will be shared with or withheld from others

Which foundational principal are MOST associated with confidentiality?

Autonomy and fidelity

True or false: Studies have shown that counselors feel confident of their ability to make sound ethical judgements about confidentiality issues.

True.

What percentage of complaints made to the ethics committees and state licensing boards of counselors involve violations of confidentiality?

1-5%

True or false: counseling students have the same ethical obligations regarding confidentiality as practicing counselors.

True. Consultation and supervision is a big part of counseling education but still has to be done with permission of the client or in a private setting without identifying information.

Are counselors responsible for confidentiality and privilege communication in all relationships?

No, just within the role of a professional counselor.

Which section of the ACA Code of Ethics is devoted to confidentiality?

Section B: Confidentiality and Privacy.

What should a counselor do if a client asks for their information be disclosed?

The counselor is obligated to provide clients with access to their records, unless the records contain information that may be misleading or harmful to the client.
If the counselor believes that disclosing information to a third party will be harmful, the counselor should have a discussion with the client regarding this.

What is the legislation that requires that clients be given access to their counseling records (except when it would harm the client to see their records)?

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Is confidentiality absolute?

No. Some instances, it must be breached.

Who holds the responsibility to assert privileged communication if records are subpoenaed?

The client unless the client cannot be located or is not present at the time asked, then the counselors acts on the best interest of the client.

What happens to privilege in the case of a client death?

Privilege does not end. If a counselor believes privilege should be waived for the client, they must contact a family member, probate attorney, or executor.

Does a counselor need permission from the client for consultation?

No. Consultation doesn't usually breach confidentiality due to not revealing identifying information during the consultation.

Does a counselor have to inform a client when they are under supervision?

Yes. Identifying information will be shared, therefore, the client must be notified and the counselor must obtain permission prior to counseling.

When should a counselor breach confidentiality?

- Suspecting abuse or neglect of child, elderly, or persons presumed to have limited ability to care for themselves

- Clients intending to harm themselves

-Clients intending to harm others

- Communicable and life-threatening disease and the clients behavior puts others at risk

-Court ordered or legal obligation

How is confidentiality handled in group, family, or couples counseling?

Counselors clearly explain the importance and parameters of confidentiality for the specific group. Counselors hold the responsibility of the counselor, not the client. The counselor has little control over clients breaching confidentiality, therefore, it's important for the counselor to explicitly explain confidentiality and the risks of group counseling.

How is confidentiality handled when a client had filed a legal or ethical complaint?

The counselor has a right to disclose confidential information. Clients waive their right to privilege communication when they file a complaint against their counselor.