Week 3 discussion - Coursework Example

Psychology: Confidentiality Affiliation Psychology: Confidentiality The requirement to retain confidentiality is a professional requirement for psychologists. The patient expects the professional ethical requirement of the practitioner to retain all the information provided in the interaction. However, the professional is also required to breach the confidentiality requirement in case of imminent danger. In the instance where a defendant reveals the intent to commit murder, the duty of the profession shifts to an ethical requirement to protect the victim.

The professional has the duty to warn the potential victim. In addition, the duty extends to informing the relevant authorities if the threat is of a significant magnitude. In an argument by Granich (2012) the homicidal threat by a defendant provides the practitioner with a proper reason to breach the confidentiality requirement. However, variations in the scenario may vary based on the medical evaluation of the defendant. The practitioner should be able to understand the seriousness and intent of the defendant.

This could be done by evaluation the violence history of the client. From the knowledge obtained, the practitioner is then required to make the sound ethical decision. Regardless of the variations, the threat to commit a homicide by a defendant is enough for the breach of the confidentiality requirement (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2011). ReferencesCorey, G., Corey, M. & Callanan, P. (2011). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. New York: Cengage Learning. Granich, S. (2012). Duty to Warn, Duty to Protect.

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