Transcript Confidentiality and boundaries in Counselling

NGfL CYMRU GCaD
Confidentiality and Boundaries
AIM:- To discuss the complexity of
confidentiality in relation to counselling
and the need for boundaries
To practice counselling skills in triads
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OBJECTIVES:-
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• Discuss the term ‘confidentiality’ and
where it might be applied
• Recognise the importance of
confidentiality in a counselling context
• Identify where there might be
limitations in confidentiality
• Identify the need for boundaries
• Demonstrate counselling skills learned
so far
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Confidentiality in counselling
•Confidentiality is fundamentally
important due to the intimate nature of
the relationship
•The Counselling relationship is based on
trust
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There are some circumstances
where client confidentiality
cannot be kept
• Make this clear from the outset
• Inform or negotiate with client prior to
giving information to another person
• If possible, seek permission from the
client
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Possible circumstances are:-
• If it is the policy of some agencies to keep
written record centrally
• Supervision
• Referral eg GP, psychiatrist, mental health
services, social services etc
• Client intention to harm themselves or commit
suicide (at the counsellors discretion)
• If the client discloses intention to harm
another
• Disclosures of acts of terrorism / drug
trafficking
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• By order of civil / criminal court
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• Under such circumstances efforts
will be made to minimise
information disclosed by concealing
client’s identity if possible. Eg.
supervision, keeping reports locked
up and always informing the client
before any disclosure is made.
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Exercise
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• In four small groups discuss
and debate the exercise
provided.
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Boundaries
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• What do we mean by boundaries?
• Boundaries can often help us with issues
of confidentiality in that we can inform
our clients prior to the onset of
counselling what the limits on offer
might be.
• This makes it very clear about what is
confidential and what is not ‘thus
providing a boundary’
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What other boundaries may a
counsellor need to consider?
• Time
• Physical space
• Information
• Intimacy
• Social roles
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Further reading
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• COUNSELLING SKILLS FOR HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS by Philip Burnard
• LEGAL ISSUES IN COUNSELLING &
PSYCHOTHERAPY by Peter Jenkins
• AN INTRODUCTION TO
COUNSELLING by John Mcleod
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NGfL CYMRU GCaD
• AIM:- To discuss the complexity of
confidentiality in relation to counselling and
the need for boundaries
• OBJECTIVES:• Discuss the term ‘confidentiality’ and where it
might be applied
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality in
a counselling context
• Identify where there might be limitations in
confidentiality
• Identify the need for boundaries
www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk