Psychotherapists recognize that the law is generally in place to uphold client-therapist confidentiality. However, there are situations that may occur where the therapist is under obligation to break that confidence. This obligation can vary depending upon where the therapist is practicing and it may occur as a result of their employment contract or of the law. Where such an issue does occur, the therapist is expected to firstly try and discuss the presenting issue with their client. However, in situations where the factors under consideration are particularly urgent, it is accepted that this cannot always be the case.Legitimate breaches of confidentiality relate to circumstances where the information the client has shared relates to acts of terrorism; information of this nature must be reported. There are other circumstances where breaching confidentiality may be considered legitimate, for example, in the case of serious crime or suspected child abuse. Individual employers and independent therapists have their own boundaries but must agree on this contractually with their clients at the outset of the therapeutic relationship.

Confidentiality can be broken in a client-therapist relationship in which of the following cases? Group of answer choicesIf the client is at risk to harm themselves or someone else If a therapist sees their client out in public and wants to say hi to them If the client and therapist decide to date each other Confidentiality should never be broken under any circumstances

Psychologists must safeguard the confidentiality of their clients’ information during the provision of psychology services. However, there are instances where a psychologist may disclose confidential information. Select from the list below the circumstances where a psychologist may disclose a client’s information:[Select all that apply] Group of answer choicesWhere another health professional asks for informationWhere there is a legal obligation to disclose informationWith the consent of the clientWith the consent of the person with legal authority to act on the client’s behalfWhere there is a specified risk of harm

Describe when and how clients are told about confidentiality and privacy.Please provide your critique of the adequacy of the discussion ofconfidentiality principles, the limits of confidentiality and the privacy policies atyour agency. Answer: The patient is informed about confidentiality before theassessment and before the intake process is completed.

During the first few sessions with a psychologist a client shares information about a relationship breakdown and difficulties in the workplace. In the most recent session, the client shares that they were a bystander when a physical altercation took place between their friend and a stranger at a local sports match. The client also reports that they have been temporarily stood down from their work role.In between sessions, a request from a legal firm comes through asking the psychologist to send a copy of the client’s file.Considering this information, outline two primary ethical principles and considerations.

Following a recent in-patient admission for schizophrenia a client has been referred for multi-disciplinary care and case management at your place of work. The client informs you that they have not been taking their psychiatric medication and they ask you specifically not to tell their family. ~At the beginning of the first meeting, you clearly outlined the client’s rights to confidentiality, and the limits to confidentiality. The client also completed an intake and consent form ensuring that all details about the service provision were clearly outlined. In doing so, you have already addressed the two primary ethical issues for consideration, confidentiality, & informed consent.Prior to meeting the client, you did notice that the client had not completed all parts of the intake, and you notice that they have not filled out the part of the form where they can note if they identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and so you ask in the interview. The client reports that they are Aboriginal, and that they didn’t write this down, as they are known to the Aboriginal Liaison Officer at the hospital and assumed this information would be passed on. The client explains that they are from a remote community in NSW, and they do not want to involve their family, as this would be a long trip for them, and they don’t want to worry them with this.Explain what you would do in managing the ethical decision making in this particular case?Type your response in the field below before clicking Next to continue to Scenario 2. [Approx. 250 words]