Confidentiality

Confidentiality

confidential handling and retention of information shared in a trusted relationship; based on the informed consent process, where the client’s informed of their rights regarding confidential information; statement must address data management and confidentiality issues; respecting and protecting privacy in all aspects

legal background of confidentiality

data management laws, GDPR

Medical privacy

medical staff is obliged to protect privacy of patients; patients have rights for their health and personal data to be shared only with authorized individuals; patients can decide who’s informed about their illness and it’s expected outcomes, and who’s excluded from knowing their health data; disclosure without consent is allowed if required by law, or necessary to protect life, health, or physical integrity of others

Confidential information includes

the fact that therapy is taking place, everything said during sessions, test results and provided materials, information from and about the client, photos, videos, voice recordings, drawings, emails, messages

Informed consent includes information about

data collected, how the data is managed and stored, communication mediums, recordings, data destruction

Psychologist’s confidentiality

must be respected in all areas of life, identity of clients and content of the sessions mustn’t be shared, the client also needs to keep the confidentiality of therapy

Issues from breaking confidentiality

workplace disadvantages, conflicts on family or community, privacy violation of high-status individuals, indirect participants

Confidentiality waivers

if the client is a danger to themselves or others, there’s a risk of abuse, in supervision or consultation, if the client authorizes the psychologist

Tarasoff case

A famous 1969 case in California where a therapist learned of a client's plan to commit murder during a session: client eventually murdered Tatiana Tarasoff despite prior police intervention.

Tarasoff rule

the case set a precedent that professionals must notify the police or take steps to protect potential victims