What should counselors do to protect client confidentiality in the event of their incapacity or death?

To safeguard client confidentiality in the event of a counselor's incapacity or death, appointing a records custodian is the most appropriate action. This ensures that there is a responsible individual designated to maintain and protect client records, adhering to ethical standards regarding confidentiality. The records custodian can manage the client's information in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines, ensuring that confidentiality is upheld and that client information is not disclosed inappropriately.

This practice reflects the counselor's duty to protect client information, even after they are unable to do so themselves. By having a designated custodian, clients can feel secure that their confidential information will continue to be respected and handled properly.

In contrast, terminating all services immediately would leave clients without support and could unnecessarily compromise their treatment. Completely destroying all records would violate ethical responsibilities to maintain appropriate records as it removes the possibility of continuity of care or follow-up, and transferring all records to a public archive widely contradicts the protection of confidentiality, as it would expose private client information to the public. These choices undermine the core principles of client trust and confidentiality.