Code Of Ethics: Privacy And Confidentiality

In this ethical vignette that I am reviewing, the central ethical problem or problems that are presented have to do with whether or not to release a client’s information to authorities. The counselor has to make a tough decision to release information, but she also has to take in account that the client signed an informed consent prior. The central problem is over client confidentiality versus what the authorities want from the counselor that involves a life or death situation, which isn’t relevant to the client at all. Another problem that seems to be controversial is whether we can trust this detective, whether or not he is legit and if he is just posing as an official just to seek out confidential information.
This ethical dilemma proposes …show more content…
The American Psychological Association of Code of Ethics could be useful to the problem that is identified here. Some of the passages that could be used from this code of ethics come from Privacy and Confidentiality, Informed Consent, and the Use of Confidential Information for Didactic or Other Purposes and Disclosures (APA ethics code). According to the principle concerning confidentiality, a psychologist has to take certain actions to protect the confidential information that is obtained through or stored in the systems (APA). This passage suggests that the counselor should try to keep all information that belongs to the client confidential and to not give out any information to anyone (APA). Under Privacy and Confidentiality, counselors should minimize intrusions on privacy by discussing the issue of confidential information for professional purposes with the persons who are concerned with this issue (APA). This particular passage is relevant to this ethical issue and to respond to this problem the counselor could inform the detective on the code retaining to how to deal with confidential information pertaining to a client and why she cannot release the information to him because it could cause intrusions on their privacy. Another passage from the APA code of ethics that could apply to this ethical dilemma is whether or not to disclose confidential information to the …show more content…
In addition to possible ways, there are some consequences for these actions that she is taking. The helping profession could respond to this dilemma by telling the officer she cannot release this type of information without the client’s permission, but by doing this it could cause offense to the officer and the client. This could cause the officer to be offended because he really needs this information and order to help his case that he is dealing with, without the help of the psychologist the case is doomed and his job might be on the line. Another possible way to get this information is that the officer could subpoena the counselor for the information, but even though he has a subpoena for her to the court, she really isn’t obligated to give out information based on the confidentiality agreement she made with her client. If she doesn’t give the information to the officer, this could possibly protect her and her agency from facing a lawsuit against the client because of the release of information. The psychologist could tell her supervisor about this ethical dilemma she is facing with the authorities and he could give her possible courses of actions on how to face this problem she is in. If the counselor doesn’t disclose this information, then a child’s safety and well being will be in jeopardy and the child could be placed in harm’s way. As a