The fact that clinical psychologists encounter the complexity of humanity every day is clear. Human behavior and thinking cannot be fixed. Individuals’ lives can be impacted by the interaction of biological, psychological, social and other factors. No matter what their mental health condition, therapy is a way for people to overcome their problems and find relief. These goals can often be achieved if there is a good working relationship between the therapist/client (Lambert & Barley (2002)). Therapy sessions can be stressful for clients who are uncomfortable discussing sensitive topics. Clinical psychologists are legally and ethically bound to respect the privacy of their clients and make sure that all information is kept confidential.
In the first glance, confidentiality might seem like a straightforward and well-defined issue. But confidentiality is not always easy to use in therapeutic situations. It can also be complex because of a number of factors. While some believe confidentiality is crucial to therapeutic processes, and clients should remain private, others feel that information sharing is more important and should be disclosed in certain situations. This essay will examine both these perspectives critically. This will allow us to gain a better understanding of this controversial topic by looking back. Understanding confidentiality is key to clinical psychological practice. It is vital to look at its meaning. The term refers therapists’ obligation to protect clients’ records and not share their information (BPS, 2017). The British Psychological Society’s practice guidelines (BPS, 2017) include confidentiality as one of the legal and moral obligations of psychologists. Woody (1999), Confidentiality is “the foundation of professionalism” (p.607). All of this can help someone to see the importance of confidentiality as an ethical principle. It is crucial to understand confidentiality as part and parcel of therapy, rather than as a one-off procedure. First, confidentiality may lead to greater self-disclosure. A therapist might be able to help someone with a range of issues or symptoms. It can make it difficult for them to communicate their feelings and thoughts (Younggren & Harms, 2008). To put it another manner, clients can be embarrassed to express their thoughts and feelings without confidentiality. According to a survey conducted by Blanchard & Farber (2016), 93% of participants admitted lying to their therapists. There were many reasons for lying, but the most common was discomfort about the topic being discussed. It is easy to be dishonest and hide information, which can result in poor quality service and an adverse outcome. They will feel more comfortable sharing their information if they are informed about their privacy. This view is supported by evidence. Woods & McNamara (1980), clients may be more open to disclosure if they receive confidentiality promises from therapists. Research has also shown that confidentiality is a major factor in clients’ willingness or inability to reveal their secrets (Ignatius & Kokkonen (2007)). Research has also been extensive on the relationship between confidentiality and effectiveness in clinical practice. Numerous professionals have argued that confidentiality was essential for psychotherapy. (Kobocow McGuire & Blau. 1983). Building trust requires that you and your therapist discuss confidentiality and provide consent. A qualitative study that examined the experiences of clinical psychologist service users regarding informed consent and confidentiality was done to determine if any participants had a positive relationship with their therapist.
Clients can confide in their therapists that therapy is safe and they are free to share their feelings without fear. This will help them build a therapeutic relationship. A strong client-therapist alliance can have a positive impact on the outcome of therapy (Ardito and Rabellino 2011, 2011). It is easy to answer the question of confidentiality. It can be detrimental to clients to talk about their records outside of therapy and without their consent. It could also cause trust issues between the client’s therapist. In certain cases, however, disclosure seems to be the only option. This is done to improve the client’s service, protect clients and others, and attest before a court. (BPS 2017, p.58-62). Clients should be made aware of any sharing required and given their consent whenever possible. Psychologists often have to share information about clients with third parties to provide care and improve client well-being. This can occur in three main situations: supervision, multidisciplinary health team work, and information sharing with family members and caregivers. Psychologists may encounter a variety of difficulties during therapy. This can cause them to feel uncertain about the best way to deal with the situation. Supervision provides a forum for clinical practitioners to discuss their cases and get feedback. The evidence is clear that supervision of clinical practice addresses these issues. With the right skills, supervision can improve practitioner’s confidence, reduce bias, and improve therapy quality. The information shared during supervision sessions should, however, be kept anonymous. The information should not be shared in the second situation. However, it is possible to make the information anonymous. In these cases the information should be kept confidential and focused on improving clients’ lives. Multidisciplinary teams of health professionals work together towards a common goal. Psychologists may need access to client records to assist in this effort (Van Liew and colleagues, 2012). In the case of a diabetes clinic, one might have a psychologist, a dietician or an endocrinologist working with each client. They will, however, collaborate and share client information. They will be able to work together and get the best results. The impact of psychological factors on physical health can be significant. Accordingly, clients should not share their information as it could cause a decrease in quality. Psychologists may also share information with their family members or caregivers. People who attend therapy often need support or help with their daily lives. A supportive environment may be available for vulnerable adults or children (BPS 2017). Clients’ lives can be improved by sharing specific information. This is best illustrated by an elderly person suffering from dementia. They may exhibit maladaptive behaviors due to inability to communicate their feelings clearly. Psychologists can help clients with chronic problems and guide them in making the necessary adaptations. The client must be aware of who will have access and their rights to information. They should also give their permission. All of this makes it clear that sharing clients’ information can sometimes be beneficial and help people’s health. Protecting clients or others is another reason to breach confidentiality. “Safeguarding” refers to protecting someone’s wellbeing and rights (Care Quality Commission). There are many abusive behavior types that can cause harm, death, and violation of human rights. People can confess to their abuse during psychotherapy. This could be a dangerous or life-threatening behavior. The psychologist has an ethical obligation to ensure that children are not neglected or abused. Some people in therapy are also susceptible to suicidal thinking. Their psychologists must observe and weigh up the privacy of their clients against their protection.
If they determine that suicide is imminent, they may need to divulge their identity. Psychologists may also reveal some client information to court when asked. It can be detrimental to a case’s outcome if the court has access to information. Clients must be informed and asked permission to disclose information. If a court has instructed a psychologist to disclose, they must inform everyone involved that confidentiality cannot be offered (BPS 2017, p.61). The above scenarios show that information sharing can help improve client welfare and reduce risk to others. Yet, many believe that shifting attention from confidentiality to manage risk can lead “…to the diminishing of the value of confidentiality ” (Donner, et al. (2008) Psychologists find it difficult to follow a consistent pattern because of the complexity of human matters. It should not be easy to make the decision to reveal confidential information. There are many questions psychologists need to address before sharing any client information. It is important to inform clients at the beginning of therapy about confidentiality and explain to them how and in what situations it may be shared. This will help them to overcome any difficulties that might arise during the therapeutic process. Consent should be another issue that they must consider (BPS2017). The necessity of the disclosure is another important consideration. It would be helpful to know the outcome of the disclosure and who will benefit. They can then see the benefits and drawbacks of each option. But, relying on hypotheses and predictions can pose additional risks. It is important to be aware of the national guidelines and to keep your eyes on the facts. Confidentiality is an essential element of clinical practice and an ethical obligation. Brusing confidentiality should not be an option. It is necessary to disclose information to help the client and others. The practitioner should weigh the potential benefits and risks of disclosure in these situations. It is essential to have the right skills and training to manage client privacy while also managing possible risks and welfare. This issue is complex and there is not enough scientific evidence to support confidentiality in clinical practice. Further research is required. Therapists can avoid any predicaments by using informed consent and adhering to the professional guidelines. Professionals need to be sensitive to the needs of their clients. We can understand the unique challenges clients face and develop a holistic approach to confidentiality by highlighting its importance and its exceptions in clinical practices.
