Effects On Clients Of Unethical Disclosure Issues

Effects on Clients of Unethical Disclosure Issues Affecting Professional Supervision

Develop a 3- to 4-slide Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® presentation to brief the class on your topic. Include the following: Effects on Clients of Unethical Disclosure Issues Affecting Professional Supervision Format your presentation consistent with APA guidelines. Topic: Confidentiality and involvement of parents in mental health services for children and adolescents: Chapter 7. Reerence Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists, 3e Chapter 10: Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists, 3e ISBN: Author: Celia B. Fisher I need it for tonight at 11:00pm (M.S.T.) The presentation should include speaker notes.

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical considerations surrounding client confidentiality and professional supervision are central to maintaining trust and efficacy in mental health services, particularly when working with children and adolescents. Unethical disclosure issues—such as breaches of confidentiality—can have profound negative effects on clients. This paper discusses the effects of ethical violations on clients within the context of confidentiality and the involvement of parents, emphasizing the importance of adhering to ethical standards outlined in the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and as detailed by Celia B. Fisher in her work, “Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists” (Fisher, 2017).

Effects of Unethical Disclosure on Clients

Unethical disclosure occurs when mental health professionals reveal confidential information without proper consent or legal justification. Such breaches can erode client trust, diminish therapeutic rapport, and cause emotional distress or harm (American Psychological Association [APA], 2017). In the context of children and adolescents, breaches can be particularly damaging, affecting their sense of safety and willingness to seek future help. When a breach occurs, clients may experience feelings of betrayal, embarrassment, and loss of control over their personal information, leading to increased anxiety and a lack of confidence in mental health services (Fisher, 2017).

Legal and Ethical Implications for Supervision

Supervisors hold a critical responsibility to model and enforce ethical standards that prevent unwarranted disclosures. Failure to uphold confidentiality can not only harm clients but also jeopardize the supervisor’s licensure and credibility. Supervisors must ensure that supervisees understand the importance of confidentiality, especially when involving parents in the treatment of minors. Ethical breaches can result in disciplinary action from licensing boards and damage the reputation of the supervising institution (Fisher, 2017). Compliance with APA guidelines, including maintaining confidentiality unless exceptions apply, is crucial in professional supervision contexts.

Implications for Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Involving parents in mental health services for minors presents unique ethical challenges. While parental involvement can facilitate support and adherence to treatment, breaches of confidentiality can occur if boundaries are not carefully managed (Fisher, 2017). Ethical practice requires clear communication about confidentiality limits, particularly when minors are involved. Failure to appropriately involve or protect the confidentiality of young clients can lead to feelings of mistrust, withdrawal from therapy, and potential harm to the client’s psychological well-being (APA, 2017). Ethical guidelines emphasize balancing the rights of the client with parental rights, ensuring informed consent and assent procedures are followed.

Conclusion

Unethical disclosure issues can significantly harm clients, especially children and adolescents in mental health treatment. Supervisors and practitioners must adhere to ethical standards to protect client confidentiality and foster a safe, trusting therapeutic environment. Proper communication about confidentiality boundaries, adherence to legal and ethical guidelines, and careful management of parental involvement are essential to minimizing potential harms and ensuring effective, ethical mental health care.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
  • Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
  • Knapp, S., & VandeCreek, L. (2012). Practical ethics for psychologists: A positive approach. American Psychological Association.
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  • Sroufe, L. A., Egeland, B., Carlson, E. A., & Collins, W. A. (2005). The development of the person: The Minnesota study of risk and adaptation from birth to adulthood. Guilford Publications.
  • Zimmerman, M. A. (2014). Promoting healthy development through school-based mental health services. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 43(4), 567–577. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2013.830835
  • Miller, S. E., & Foreman, C. (2013). Confidentiality and adolescent mental health services. Journal of Adolescence, 36(4), 711–718.
  • Shapiro, S. L., & Gutierrez, D. (2007). Ethical considerations in involving parents in adolescent therapy. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 29(3), 57–69.
  • Leach, M. J. (2016). Ethical and legal issues in counseling minors. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94(2), 138–147.

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