What is required before disclosing confidential information during consultations with colleagues?

Obtaining prior consent from the client is essential before disclosing confidential information during consultations with colleagues. Confidentiality is a foundational principle in counseling and therapy, designed to protect the privacy of clients and foster a trusting relationship. Before a practitioner can share any details that could identify or relate to a client, they must ensure that the client has given explicit permission for such disclosure.

This practice reinforces the ethical standard of respect for client autonomy and confidentiality, which is emphasized in the ACA Code of Ethics. The process of seeking consent not only upholds the ethical duty to protect client privacy but also empowers clients by involving them in decisions about their own information.

In scenarios where sharing information could benefit the client, such as seeking supervision or collaborating with colleagues for the client’s best interest, obtaining informed consent ideally precedes these discussions, maintaining ethical integrity and trust in the therapeutic relationship.