Why Is Confidentiality Important In Counseling

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Ethics play important function in the counseling process in safeguarding the welfare of clients and culture. Confidentiality is a significant ethical standard in the counseling profession. It is through confidentiality that the trusting foundation on which the counseling relationship is built. Counselors cannot assist clients successfully unless they know the counselor will not betray their confidence. Moreover, it is the rights of clients that disclosures during counseling sessions are protected and kept contained by the boundary of the professional relationship. Clients must be able to feel safe within the therapeutic relationship for counseling to be most effective. There are conditions exist whereby confidentiality may be broken for ethical and legal reasons. Confidentiality may be broken to protect a client …show more content…
Counselors have a duty to protect and warn potential victims. There are three conditions that must be met before breaking confidentiality. First, the client communicates to the counselor a threat of physical violence. Next, the threat must be serious. Finally, the victims must be reasonably identifiable. Obviously, the responsibility to maintain client confidentiality is not unconditional in all situations. In concluding, I believe informed consent is another important ethical standard in the counseling profession. Counselors need to advise clients as to the nature of counseling and respond to inquiries in order that the client can make an informed decision. Informed consent provides opportunities for building a foundation for a collaborative and effective counseling relationship. Furthermore, informed consent defines the relationship between the counselor and client in the counseling process. This idea promotes clients and counselors as partners for the reason that both know the rules and participate freely in the counseling process. Finally, informed consent must be written and discussed from the beginning and throughout the