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Confidentiality is probably the single issue which raises most difficulties for counsellors. The sources of these difficulties are twofold. They arise from uncertainty about what the optimum practice ought to be and the problems experienced in implementing ethical practice. This situation is particularly anxiety provoking for counsellors, as confidentiality is so central to their work.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY IN COUNSELLING
Confidentiality is considered fundamental to counselling because, by its very nature, counselling is an intimate relationship which often involves clients in divulging information about their current and past situations, as well as their opinions and innermost feelings. This can take place only in a relationship based on trust. In particular, clients need to feel that whatever has been disclosed will not be used in ways which will harm them. This usually means that disclosures in counselling are made by clients on the assumption that what is said remains confidential between the counsellor and client.
DIFFERENCES OF VIEW ABOUT THE PRINCIPLE OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Although there is considerable agreement between counsellors about the importance of confidentiality, there are significant differences of view about what this means ethically and in practice.
Some take the view that confidentiality is an absolute principle. For example, Hetty Einzig, in a publication designed to help potential clients published by the British Association for Counselling (BAC), states: "all counselling is totally confidential" (Einzig, undated). This view has a strong following.
On the other hand, there is an opposing view which is that the significance of confidentiality can be overstated at the cost of ignoring other ethical principles. This view is based on the central value of autonomy in counselling. This value is particularly important to the client and involves respect for "the client's values, personal resources and capacity for self-determination" (British Association for Counselling, 1990). The priority of the principle of autonomy suggests that confidentiality should not be imposed on the client, even though the client may desire confidentiality, but should be the subject of negotiation. These negotiations may also have to take into account other competing ethical considerations. These include any contractual obligations the counsellor may have to the person resourcing the counselling, when this is not the client, e.g. an employer. It may also be considered to be in the...