Confidential...

Brummie

Changed my mind again! Need to go talk to the people involved first.

New question...

At what stage would you break confidentiality with a person?

Lady Lee

Brummie

Personally I know I couldn't keep quiet. That is why I choose not to work with them

wednesday

if they were threatning some sort of harm to another person or themselves. If it was here on the DB, if they told me they had plans to cause problems for someone,harass or stalk, etc.

Thunder Rider

When it adversely effects an innocent or involves criminal activity or drug abuse.

Right is right.

Thunder

Ladylee, as you will know, in the counselling situation you could be working with a client for a few weeks before they feel "safe" enough to tell you what their problem is, do you have something that forwarns these types not to come to you?

Brummie

talesin

when i was trained to work on a rape crisis/support line (wrked there 3 yrs), we were told that any report made to us abt underage MUST be reported to the child protection agency.

the crisis line was one of complete confidentiality with only two exceptions. (1) if the caller was threatening to suicide, then we had to make a judgment call abt 911, but no judgment call was required in the case of (2) CSA - even if the person confessing to such a deed was UNDERAGE themselves. as a worker, i cud be charged by the police for not reporting, since where i live, EVERY ADULT is required to report ANY suspected child abuse.

also spent 3 yrs working at a homeless youth shelter - same rules applied. if it was CSA, must report. if the person was threatening to harm themselves or others, report.

i don't think you were morally (or legally here in CDA) wrong, although you may take heat from your co-therapists/counsellors and/or your association if anyone decides to make a big issue of it.

hope this was helpful, don't let it get you down.

talesin

i know a couple of therapists, and they lay down their boundaries from the get-go, in the first session. (eg, i report all instances of CSA; if i believe you are going to harm yourself or someone else, i will have to report).

it's just treated normally, the same as any other personal boundaries any counsellor has. this has worked well for them.

badolputtytat

eh hem... clears his throat at Brumm... I got your point....

I think if the confidentiality is broken only in the intrest of that person, for their safety... and NO details were given... then the kittie who broke the confidentiality should not be hanged by the tail for only looking out for said person.

Gee, I was just worried.

Brummie

talesin, YES that was all helpful. Infact you have given me some ammo to take back to them should they discuss this again. They would be breaking the LAW, i'm sure of it. I never thought of that...durrr, see how emotion can blare rationalism.

We would lay down the bounderies of our practice when we write out a contract between counsellor & client, yet for some reason 13 people thought being within the bounderies meant keeping their lips sealed, these where advanced people. I'll just rewrite my bounderies.

Strangely enough, each of these would break confidentiality if the client was threatning to hurt himself.

Thanks

Brummie

then the kittie who broke the confidentiality should not be hanged by the tail for only looking out for said person.

Phew, my tail is safe.

lol

Brummie

Confidential...

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