If a client refuses consent to share information with a third party, what is the counselor's appropriate action?

If a client refuses consent to share information with a third party, what is the counselor's appropriate action?

• A. Do not disclose without consent or legal requirement
• B. Disclose anyway if beneficial
• C. Share information if the client asks you to
• D. Share information if it's convenient

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in counseling: what the client shares stays private unless there’s consent to disclose or a legal obligation to do so. When a client refuses consent to share information with a third party, the counselor should preserve confidentiality and not disclose. This protects the client’s autonomy and the trust essential to the therapeutic relationship. There are narrow, well-defined exceptions where disclosure is allowed or required, such as mandated reporting of abuse or situations of imminent risk to the client or others. Outside of those exceptions, disclosure without consent is not appropriate.

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in counseling: what the client shares stays private unless there’s consent to disclose or a legal obligation to do so. When a client refuses consent to share information with a third party, the counselor should preserve confidentiality and not disclose. This protects the client’s autonomy and the trust essential to the therapeutic relationship. There are narrow, well-defined exceptions where disclosure is allowed or required, such as mandated reporting of abuse or situations of imminent risk to the client or others. Outside of those exceptions, disclosure without consent is not appropriate.