Informed Confidentiality: A Case Study

All psychologists realize that they have an ethical obligation to provide confidentiality to their patients. However psychologists encounter other issues of how to handle confidentiality when treating a minor. Although they may want to preserve the minor’s right of confidentiality, they must also follow the laws of their states. In the case of the fifteen year old seeking therapy, the therapist could begin treating her without the consent of her parents. According to Illinois law because she is over the age of 12, she is entitled to five 45 minute sessions without her parent’s informed consent.
However before the therapist decides to treat her she should take into consideration the competency levels of the girl. Although the girl has many issues, she does exhibit a high degree of competence. Not only has she sought out therapy on her own and is willing to pay for it herself; she has a job, savings and gets good grades. …show more content…
Informed consent is an ongoing process and it is up to the psychologist to make this known to both the girl and her parents. During the initial informed consent session and afterwards when deemed appropriate, the psychologist should clearly explain how information that is disclosed in therapy will be treated (4.01 and 4.02, American Psychological Association, 2002). The psychologist should also advise the girl that it would be in her best interest for her parents to be a part of the treatment process. Not only would this be beneficial for the girl, it would also give the psychologist an opportunity to see how the family relates to one