Confidentiality - Research Paper Example

xviii ). They fear that they will be considered weak and dependent if they show their ‘real’ feelings to others (Aveline, 1997, p. xviii ). Hence, the only option that remains with them is to seek professional counseling to heal themselves from psychological and emotional problems. The assurance that the intimate emotions and thoughts they share with the counselor will remain confidential, is a huge driving force behind people going for counseling. Hence, confidentiality is one of the strongest foundations of the relationship between the counselor and the client and hence, the counselor should take every care to maintain confidentiality.

Only confidentiality assures open and positive involvement of client in the counseling process. However, the concept of ‘confidentiality’ has a potential to create huge ethical dilemma in the mind of a counselor. Hence, the true test of counseling profession comes when counselors face the ethical dilemma of confidentiality, and only those counselors are considered competent and efficient who know when to follow the code of confidentiality, and know when to breach it. Definition ‘Confidentiality’ in counseling has wide range of ethical aspects attached to it.

To honor and maintain ‘confidentiality’ in the process of counseling, it has to adhere to certain requirements regarding the information discussed in the counseling sessions. ‘Confidentiality’ is an agreement between the counselor and the client that the information and the learning that takes place in the session will not be disclosed to anyone outside the session by the counselor (MacLennan & Dies, 1992, p. 88). When the information given by client is kept secure and its disclosure is controlled by the counselor, then it can be said that he is maintaining confidentiality in the counseling (Bond & Mitchels, 2008, p.13). However, the requirement of ‘confidentiality’ does not end here.

Maintaining ‘confidentiality’ in the counseling process also requires the counselor not to disclose to anyone that the client is undergoing counseling or therapy (McLeod, 2004, p. 102), as this information can harm the reputation and social position of the client. Even though people take counseling because they are not able to fulfill different roles in their lives properly, they wish to portray socially that they are functioning efficiently in every aspect of their lives (Bond & Mitchels, 2008, p.15). Hence, as there are high stakes attached to the importance of confidentiality in counseling, it has become a legal duty of the counselor to keep client’s information safe (Corey, 2009, p. 41). Moreover, confidentiality is considered a core of counseling as it helps in creating the most important aspect of counseling and that is, a feeling of trust.

Importance Of Confidentiality People seek counseling when they are in psychological and emotional distress. They approach counselor only when they realize that they won’t be able to handle the situation, or find the solution to their problem, on their own. However, discussing personal matter with a ‘stranger’ is not an easy thing to do. Hence, the client’s right to privacy gave birth to the concept of confidentiality in the field of counseling and psychotherapy (Corey, 2009, p. 41). Even in case of group counseling, sharing the personal information of the client with others in group without his permission can be destructive and damaging to the relationship and the goals of counseling