17.6 Client Privacy in Private Practice

Client privacy is a fundamental aspect of counseling, particularly in private practice, where maintaining confidentiality is critical to fostering trust and effective therapeutic relationships. However, there are situations where clinicians may need to consult with other professionals to provide the best care for their clients. In these instances, handling client information with utmost discretion is vital, ensuring that only pertinent details are shared and the client’s identity is protected whenever possible. The ACA (2014) Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and advises that counselors should disclose information only with appropriate consent or when necessary to achieve the purposes of the consultation. Similarly, the NAADAC (2021) Code of Ethics underscores that addiction counselors must adhere to strict confidentiality standards and should only share information for consultation with the client’s written consent, ensuring the information shared is directly relevant to the client’s care.

To uphold client privacy during consultations, counselors must take specific steps. They should obtain informed consent by clearly explaining the need for the consultation, the type of information to be shared, and the consultant’s identity, ensuring clients understand and agree before proceeding. Counselors must also limit the information shared, disclosing only what is essential and, whenever possible, anonymizing client details to protect their identity. Engaging with professionals bound by similar confidentiality standards is crucial to maintaining privacy, as is keeping thorough records of the consultation process, including the rationale for sharing information and the details disclosed. By following these practices, counselors in private practice can effectively balance the need for professional consultation with their ethical responsibility to safeguard client confidentiality. This approach not only ensures compliance with ethical standards but also reinforces the trust that is central to the therapeutic relationship. For more details on the importance of privacy and confidentiality in counseling, refer to Chapter 5.