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The Center for Ethical Practice, Inc.

Selected Ethical Standards Relevant to Confidentiality*


COUNSELORS

  1. Key Standard
   

B.1.c: Respect for Confidentiality: Counselors do not share confidential information without client consent . . . .

       
  2. Clarification, Amplification, and Application Standards
    A. Expanding on the Confidentiality Rule
     

B.1.a. - Multicultural/Diversity Considerations
B.1.b. - Respect for Privacy
B.2.d. - Minimal Disclosures
B.3.c. - Confidential Settings
B.3.f. - Deceased Clients

    B. Applying the Confidentiality Rule in Other Specific Circumstances
     

A.6.b. - Confidentiality and Advocacy
A.9.c. - Confidentiality With Terminally Ill Clients
B.2.b - Contagious, Life-Threatening Diseases
B.3.b. - Treatment Teams
B.3.d. - Third Party Disclosures
B.3.e. - Transmitting Confidential Information
B.5 - Clients Lacking Capacity to Give Informed Consent
B.6.a. - Confidentiality of Records
B.6.d. - Client Access
B.6.e. - Assistance With Records
B.6.f. - Disclosure or Transfer
B.6.g. - Storage and Disposal After Termination
B.6.b. - Reasonable Precautions
B.7. - Research and Training
B.8.b. - Respect for Privacy in Consultations
B.8.c. - Disclosure of Confidential Information in Consultation
D.1.d. - Confidentiality in Judicial Roles/Settings
G.2 - Rights of Research Participants
H.2.b - Informal Resolution of Ethical Violations
H.2.c. - Reporting Ethical Violations

    C. Informing Prospective Clients/Consultees About Limits of Confidentiality
     

A.2.b - Types of Information Needed
A.12.g. - Technology and Informed Consent
B.1.d. - Explanation of Limitations of Confidentiality
B.4.a. - Group Work
B.4.b. - Couples and Family Counseling
D.2.d. - Explaining Limits of Confidentiality in Providing Consultation
F.6.h. - Supervisees Inform Clients That Supervision Limits Confidentiality

    D. Obtaining Consent for Recording/Observing
      B.6.b. - Permission to Record
B.6.c. - Permission to Observe
    E. Ensuring that Others Protect Clients' Confidentiality Rights
     

B..8.a. - Consultation Agreements
F.1.c. - Informing Supervisees About Clients' Confidentiality Rights

    F. Responding to Conflicts Between Ethical Duties and Other Duties
     

B.2.c. - Court-Ordered Disclosure
H.1.b. - Conflict Between Ethics & Laws
H.2.e. - Organizational Conflicts  

  3. Exceptions to the Key Standard
    B.2.c: Respect for Confidentiality: Counselors do not share confidential information without client consent or without sound legal or ethical justification. B.2.a: Danger and Legal Requirements: The general requirement that counselors keep information confidential does not apply when disclosure is required to protect clients or identified others from serious and foreseeable harm or when legal requirements demand that confidential information must be revealed . . .
       

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* Selected Ethical Standards related to confidentiality
are arranged in categories suggested by Knapp & VandeCreek (2006).

These Ethical Standards from American Counseling Association (2005)
Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
were selected for training purposes.
Familiarity with these standards is not a substitute for knowing all sections of your Ethics Code.

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