What should counselors do if they need to breach confidentiality?

Choosing to identify situations and discuss this with the client is vital in maintaining transparency and trust in the counselor-client relationship. When a counselor needs to breach confidentiality—be it due to legal requirements, risk of harm to self or others, or other ethical obligations—engaging the client in this conversation acknowledges their autonomy and respects their rights.

This approach allows the counselor to provide the client with context about why the breach is necessary, helps them understand the ethical and legal responsibilities that the counselor has, and can alleviate any potential feelings of betrayal or confusion on the part of the client. By discussing these situations openly, counselors foster a collaborative environment, promoting the client's understanding and meaning-making, which is crucial for effective therapeutic work.

This collaborative approach contrasts with other methods, such as making unilateral decisions or ignoring established rules based on personal judgment, which can compromise the therapeutic relationship and may lead to ethical violations. Informing the client only if it affects them directly does not capture the comprehensive nature of informed consent and transparency required in ethical counseling practice.