Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered a potential reason for breaching confidentiality?

1. Financial difficulties faced by the counselor

2. Possibility of harm to self or others

3. Patient's lack of progress in therapy

4. Disclosure of non-critical information

The correct answer is: Possibility of harm to self or others

The potential reason for breaching confidentiality that is most widely accepted is the possibility of harm to self or others. In ethical and legal frameworks surrounding counseling and therapy, the principle of confidentiality is paramount; however, it is not absolute. Situations arise where maintaining confidentiality may pose a greater risk than breaching it. For instance, if a client threatens to harm themselves or someone else, a counselor has an ethical and often legal obligation to break confidentiality to ensure safety and take necessary precautions. This may involve notifying authorities, family members, or other relevant parties to prevent imminent harm. In contrast, financial difficulties faced by a counselor do not justify breaching client confidentiality, as they are personal matters of the counselor and unrelated to the client's right to privacy. A patient's lack of progress in therapy may be frustrating but does not constitute an ethical reason to disclose information without consent, as it does not present an immediate risk to safety. Lastly, disclosing non-critical information does not warrant breaching confidentiality unless it is in the context of a risk assessment for harm, thus reinforcing the importance of prioritizing safety concerns over other factors.