Confidentiality in ethics practice: when is disclosure permissible?

• A. Only when the client explicitly requests disclosure.
• B. When required by law, with consent, or to public safety in limited, well-justified instances.
• C. Whenever a supervisor approves it, regardless of law.
• D. Never disclose, regardless of circumstances.

Answer: (B)

Confidentiality protects what a client shares, but it has important, permissible exceptions. Disclosure is allowed when required by law, when the client gives informed consent, or to prevent harm and protect public safety in limited, well-justified cases. This framing helps you uphold trust while meeting legal and ethical duties. Remember that a client’s request alone does not justify disclosure; you must have consent or a legal/ethical trigger. Similarly, a supervisor’s approval does not override legal or ethical requirements. And never disclosing is not absolute—there are concrete duties like mandatory reporting and imminent-risk scenarios. In practice, consult the relevant ethics code and laws, disclose only the minimum necessary information, and document the rationale.