Difference between revisions of "Maintain Confidentiality in Counseling"
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#*The counselors should discuss their qualifications, their credentials, their relevant experience, their approach to counseling and provisions for continuation of service should the counselor become unavailable to continue treatment. | #*The counselors should discuss their qualifications, their credentials, their relevant experience, their approach to counseling and provisions for continuation of service should the counselor become unavailable to continue treatment. | ||
#*You should also explain fees, billing, and procedures in case of nonpayment. | #*You should also explain fees, billing, and procedures in case of nonpayment. | ||
| − | #*If any supervisors or peers will review records, this should be noted in the informed consent procedure.<ref>http://www.zurinstitute.com/ethicsofconfidentiality.html</ref> | + | #*If any supervisors or peers will review records, this should be noted in the informed consent procedure.<ref name="rf1">http://www.zurinstitute.com/ethicsofconfidentiality.html</ref> |
| − | #Explain protection procedures. To obtain informed consent you need to explain how you will protect confidentiality. This includes detailing how records will be stored. It also includes explaining cases in which the client’s comments are not confidential.<ref | + | #Explain protection procedures. To obtain informed consent you need to explain how you will protect confidentiality. This includes detailing how records will be stored. It also includes explaining cases in which the client’s comments are not confidential.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*This applies to electronic communications as well, including after hour phone calls, text messages, email, and skype sessions. You should discuss how confidentiality shall be maintained in such circumstances, and what risks to client confidentiality emerge when you are contacted after hours.<ref>https://www.aamft.org/imis15/Documents/ND12.FTM.SinglePage.pdf</ref> | + | #*This applies to electronic communications as well, including after hour phone calls, text messages, email, and skype sessions. You should discuss how confidentiality shall be maintained in such circumstances, and what risks to client confidentiality emerge when you are contacted after hours.<ref name="rf2">https://www.aamft.org/imis15/Documents/ND12.FTM.SinglePage.pdf</ref> |
#Give the patient a form to sign. You should provide a written form for the patient to sign, authorizing informed consent. This should remain in your patient’s file. The language of the form is subject to change, but it should be inviting and easy to read. It should also cover most of the aforementioned points. | #Give the patient a form to sign. You should provide a written form for the patient to sign, authorizing informed consent. This should remain in your patient’s file. The language of the form is subject to change, but it should be inviting and easy to read. It should also cover most of the aforementioned points. | ||
| − | #*It is advisable that you keep a copy of the form in the lobby so that patients can read it before speaking to you.<ref>http://www.wvbec.org/images/Implementing_Informed_Consent.pdf</ref> | + | #*It is advisable that you keep a copy of the form in the lobby so that patients can read it before speaking to you.<ref name="rf3">http://www.wvbec.org/images/Implementing_Informed_Consent.pdf</ref> |
| − | #Get parental permission for minors. When counseling those under 18, informed consent must come from a parent. You should have two separate forms, one informed consent form that the minor signs and another consent for treatment of minors form that the parent signs.<ref | + | #Get parental permission for minors. When counseling those under 18, informed consent must come from a parent. You should have two separate forms, one informed consent form that the minor signs and another consent for treatment of minors form that the parent signs.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Describe research. If the sessions will be the basis for published research, this should be disclosed to the patient. Whether or not they will be anonymous and how their anonymity will be protected must be discussed.<ref | + | #Describe research. If the sessions will be the basis for published research, this should be disclosed to the patient. Whether or not they will be anonymous and how their anonymity will be protected must be discussed.<ref name="rf1" /> |
===Protecting Client Records=== | ===Protecting Client Records=== | ||
| − | #Store records safely. To maintain confidentiality, it is the counselor's responsibility to keep the client's records safe and appropriately secured. Records should be locked away where only the counselor can reach them.<ref | + | #Store records safely. To maintain confidentiality, it is the counselor's responsibility to keep the client's records safe and appropriately secured. Records should be locked away where only the counselor can reach them.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Protect records at home. It is important that you lock away documents at home as well as at the office. However, you might need to step away from your desk or take an emergency phone call with others around. You should ensure that anyone you reside with is aware of confidentiality procedures. | #Protect records at home. It is important that you lock away documents at home as well as at the office. However, you might need to step away from your desk or take an emergency phone call with others around. You should ensure that anyone you reside with is aware of confidentiality procedures. | ||
#*You should inform anyone with whom you reside what areas are off limits. | #*You should inform anyone with whom you reside what areas are off limits. | ||
| − | #*You should also make it clear to anyone around when a phone call is confidential. Close the door and inform them that they should leave you alone.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=CvpMAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA47&ots=TgtXFj7y4b&dq=should%20therapists%20say%20hello%20to%20clients%20in%20public&pg=PA115#v=onepage&q=talk%20at%20home&f=false</ref> | + | #*You should also make it clear to anyone around when a phone call is confidential. Close the door and inform them that they should leave you alone.<ref name="rf4">https://books.google.com/books?id=CvpMAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA47&ots=TgtXFj7y4b&dq=should%20therapists%20say%20hello%20to%20clients%20in%20public&pg=PA115#v=onepage&q=talk%20at%20home&f=false</ref> |
| − | #Provide records to client. A client may request his or her own records in most situations. The counselor however can refuse to provide access to portions of the records if it will cause harm to the client. The counselor must document the request of the client and the reason for withholding the information.<ref | + | #Provide records to client. A client may request his or her own records in most situations. The counselor however can refuse to provide access to portions of the records if it will cause harm to the client. The counselor must document the request of the client and the reason for withholding the information.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*When there are multiple clients, such as with family counselling, then the counselor should only provide records relevant to the individual client, not other clients in the group.<ref | + | #*When there are multiple clients, such as with family counselling, then the counselor should only provide records relevant to the individual client, not other clients in the group.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Do not release records to any third parties. A client's records are only to be released to a third party if the client has provided written consent. This includes third parties who pay for treatment. | #Do not release records to any third parties. A client's records are only to be released to a third party if the client has provided written consent. This includes third parties who pay for treatment. | ||
| − | #*With minors it is important to also obtain consent from parents before releasing information to a third party<ref | + | #*With minors it is important to also obtain consent from parents before releasing information to a third party<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Be aware of exceptions. There are some exceptions when confidentiality should not be preserved. These vary somewhat with state law. You should make both yourself and your clients aware of these exceptions. Generally there are a few standards for the lapse of confidentiality: | #Be aware of exceptions. There are some exceptions when confidentiality should not be preserved. These vary somewhat with state law. You should make both yourself and your clients aware of these exceptions. Generally there are a few standards for the lapse of confidentiality: | ||
#*Confidentiality is waived when the client makes threats of suicide or homicide. | #*Confidentiality is waived when the client makes threats of suicide or homicide. | ||
| − | #*It is also waived when information is disclosed relevant to the abuse of children or the elderly.<ref | + | #*It is also waived when information is disclosed relevant to the abuse of children or the elderly.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #*Depending on the state in which you operate, you might be required to reveal to a third party when your client has a life-threatening disease that could be communicated to said third party.<ref | + | #*Depending on the state in which you operate, you might be required to reveal to a third party when your client has a life-threatening disease that could be communicated to said third party.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*If a court subpoenas your records you should ask for written consent from your client. If that is not forthcoming, it is your responsibility to try to limit or prevent the disclosure of records.<ref | + | #*If a court subpoenas your records you should ask for written consent from your client. If that is not forthcoming, it is your responsibility to try to limit or prevent the disclosure of records.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Stay current with counseling ethics and regulations. Counseling associations such as the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), the American Counseling Association (ACA )and the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) all provide their members with a set of ethics for conducting counseling which include how to maintain confidentiality in a therapeutic relationship. You should also familiarize yourself with state regulations. | #Stay current with counseling ethics and regulations. Counseling associations such as the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), the American Counseling Association (ACA )and the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) all provide their members with a set of ethics for conducting counseling which include how to maintain confidentiality in a therapeutic relationship. You should also familiarize yourself with state regulations. | ||
#*When a counselor finds him or herself in a situation where maintaining a client's confidentiality becomes a problem, consulting with colleagues and/or a direct supervisor can help the counselor with appropriate decision-making. | #*When a counselor finds him or herself in a situation where maintaining a client's confidentiality becomes a problem, consulting with colleagues and/or a direct supervisor can help the counselor with appropriate decision-making. | ||
#*A counselor may also discuss confidentiality concerns with his or her own therapist, so long as they don’t reveal information that may identify the client being discussed. | #*A counselor may also discuss confidentiality concerns with his or her own therapist, so long as they don’t reveal information that may identify the client being discussed. | ||
===Protecting Against Lapses in Conversations=== | ===Protecting Against Lapses in Conversations=== | ||
| − | #Avoid confidential details in discussions with peers. When a counselor seeks advice from a fellow professional about a client, they should not disclose confidential information. Information that is provided should not allow for the identification of the client. Furthermore, it should be limited to what is necessary to obtain relevant suggestions.<ref | + | #Avoid confidential details in discussions with peers. When a counselor seeks advice from a fellow professional about a client, they should not disclose confidential information. Information that is provided should not allow for the identification of the client. Furthermore, it should be limited to what is necessary to obtain relevant suggestions.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Change details. When engaged in conversation with friends or family, change important information about clients. Alter facts so that the client will be in no way identifiable.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=CvpMAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA47&ots=TgtXFj7y4b&dq=should%20therapists%20say%20hello%20to%20clients%20in%20public&pg=PA115#v=onepage&q&f=false</ref> | + | #Change details. When engaged in conversation with friends or family, change important information about clients. Alter facts so that the client will be in no way identifiable.<ref name="rf5">https://books.google.com/books?id=CvpMAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA47&ots=TgtXFj7y4b&dq=should%20therapists%20say%20hello%20to%20clients%20in%20public&pg=PA115#v=onepage&q&f=false</ref> |
| − | #Do not engage in conversations in public. All conversations about clients should be in a private setting. If you receive an urgent phone call from a client, try to find a private place from which to return the call.<ref | + | #Do not engage in conversations in public. All conversations about clients should be in a private setting. If you receive an urgent phone call from a client, try to find a private place from which to return the call.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #Do not acknowledge clients in public. Clients might not want their association with you to be public knowledge. Do not acknowledge them, unless they acknowledge you first.<ref | + | #Do not acknowledge clients in public. Clients might not want their association with you to be public knowledge. Do not acknowledge them, unless they acknowledge you first.<ref name="rf5" /> |
== Things You'll Need == | == Things You'll Need == | ||
*Informed consent documents | *Informed consent documents | ||
