This scenario involves the issue of acting professionally as a therapist by maintaining the confidentiality of your client. In this case, the child’s mother has passed information to me as a therapist, which she is unwilling to share with anyone else. Breach of confidentiality attracts disciplinary action for the clinical. Therefore, it is essential to keep the information shared to prevent harm to the people involved.
In handling this case, I will apply Welfel’s decision-making model, which is based on a ten-step model (Welfel, 2015). First, I will develop ethical sensitivity while integrating professional and personal values. In this, I will have to evaluate the practices of where the father comes from and know whether those values will help me decide whether to disclose the information during family sessions.
In the next step, I will have to clarify facts and know the stakeholders beyond the son who is undergoing therapy sessions. I will also consider the son’s culture to determine the ethical options of the process. Finally, I will define the central issues, which includes the conflicts between offering therapy sessions to the son to improve on his behaviour and disclosing the information given by the mother to pave the way to resolving the issue at hand (Jungers et al., 2013).
On deciding whether to disclose the information, I will refer to the relevant standards and regulations. The code of conduct for clinical officers emphasizes confidentiality for any information given by the patient or client. In this case, the mother is not a patient or client. The next step will be to search for resources to back up my decision. I will do this by reading widely on relevant materials. In my case, as a therapist, I will apply the ethical principle to the dilemma. By not disclosing, my client will continue to suffer harm (Whyte et al., 2010). Therefore, it is better to disclose and find a way to resolve issues that may arise.
Before deciding to consult with colleagues and the supervisor, it is essential to know which case facts are the most relevant. Then, through deliberation and deciding on the available information, one can decide which option is the best suitable. After that, I will implement on decision-making process based on my deliberation. This process involves informing the supervisor to know the reason and choice behind the ethical decision. The last step will be to reflect on the experience of my decision. Then, as a therapist, I will apply ethical issues to disclose the information to stop the continuing harm on my client.
