When Does a Psychologist Violate the Principle of Confidentiality?
The principle of confidentiality for psychologists is an ethical and legal obligation based on the trust relationship established with their clients. According to this principle, the information shared by clients is not disclosed to third parties without consent. However, there are some exceptional situations; in these cases, psychologists may have to violate the principle of confidentiality.
1. Situations Threatening the Client's Life
Psychologists may breach confidentiality if they believe that the client is under a threat to themselves or others. For example, if an individual has suicidal thoughts or intends to harm someone else, the psychologist is required to report this situation to the appropriate authorities. Experts must be very careful when screening such situations and should offer options to their clients.
2. Protection of Children
Psychologists working with children and adolescents may violate the principle of confidentiality when witnessing cases of violence, neglect, or abuse. It is a primary obligation to ensure the safety of children as required by legal processes. In these situations, psychologists are obliged to inform the relevant services and legal organizations.
3. Legal Obligations
In some cases, psychologists may breach confidentiality due to legal requirements. For instance, this situation may arise when they are required to provide specific information by court order or when sharing information that needs to be disclosed during a criminal investigation. Psychologists are expected to comply with requests for legal documents.
4. Information Sharing with Client's Consent
In some cases, when the client consents to share their information, the psychologist may breach confidentiality. The client may approve sharing certain information in situations such as medical treatment, individual or group therapy. Documenting such situations in writing beforehand is crucial.
5. Disclosure of Confidentiality in Professional Processes
Psychologists may share client information during supervision or teamwork. However, during this process, information must be presented in a way that does not reveal the client’s identity. According to ethical rules, such sharing should only be done for professional development and information transfer purposes.
Conclusion
Situations where psychologists may violate the principle of confidentiality are determined by ethical and legal obligations. Beyond these situations, psychologists are obliged to keep the information shared by clients confidential. Maintaining clients' sense of trust is vital for an effective therapy process. Understanding clients' concerns about confidentiality and establishing open communication is an essential part of the therapy process.
