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RESEARCH
This paper describes the results of research that explored how mental health counselors consider the confidentiality of minors and conditions under which they would breach it. Major variables of study included counselor background, the age of the minor, and seriousness of behavior or activity being revealed. Mental health counselors are protective of their minor clients' confidentiality rights with variation based on degree of seriousness and age of the client. Recommendations are made concerning future research and clarity of policies.
Confidentiality is one of the most critical aspects of any counseling relationship. Confidentiality is a widely held ethical standard (American Counseling Association, 1995; American Mental Health Counselors Association, 2000). Collins and Knowles (1995) stated of confidentiality "it has long been argued that effective counseling is compromised without the assurance of confidentiality, but it is also increasingly acknowledged that confidentiality is discretionary" (p. 179). Confidentiality is a variously accorded legal right of clients and a primary responsibility of mental health counselors who are charged with making professional judgments that protect clients. Client reports of behaviors that may be dangerous to self and others require the professional judgment of the counselor to determine what is in the best interest of the client, which may mean protecting or breaching confidentiality.
Confidentiality is further complicated when the client is a minor. Societal stressors such as juvenile crime and substance abuse, which threaten the well being of children, have created the need for information sharing among agencies, families, and law enforcement units when the information is necessary to protect children (Taylor & Adelman, 1998). Prout, DeMartino, and Prout (1999) explained that professionals working with the same child routinely share information with each other, which is quite different from the way adult confidentiality rights are handled.
The difficult task-of balancing client rights with the legal and ethical requirement to protect clients and to consider legitimately interested third parties (families, victims, or the broader society)-is complicated in the face of conflicting laws and ethics (Collins & Knowles, 1995; Swenson, 1997). This balancing act is managed with little guidance with regard to the concerns of the special population called minor clients (Lawrence & Kurpius, 2000.)
CONFIDENTIALITY AND MINORS
Confidentiality and the Counseling Relationship
While the counselor's responsibility is to protect the...