Confidentiality

[DrSoon2016]

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When a teen discloses that they are becoming more involved with gang life (high risk for gang affiliation but won't provide specific details), does this require breaking confidentiality? On one hand, they are in a potentially unsafe situation (although the client is very vague as they want to keep the details private ) but on the other hand, I think it's good that this client has a safe place to explore complicated thoughts about it.

 

[temppsych123]

No. Your client has a right to confidentiality unless you become aware that they or another child/dependent adult is being/has been abused or neglected, or if they are at IMMINENT risk of serious danger to themselves or others (e.g. suicide attempt, knowing that your client has plans to try to kill someone). Vague safety concerns with an unspecified timeframe certainly don't require you to break confidentiality, and in most places doing so would be a significant violation of your patient's rights to confidentiality and privacy. Please consult with a supervisor about this for more specific details about your state/province's relevant laws on this issue.

 

[deleted343839]

"Gang life" can mean a lot of things, I suppose. Are you speaking about a known threat to a specific person, or information about dangerous acts toward vulnerable persons that would activate mandated reporting? If not, no reason to consider breaking confidentiality (and lots of reasons not to). But if you remain concerned or unsure I would seek consultation from a peer in your jurisdiction and/or your state's psychology board.

 

[WisNeuro]

It's not as cut and dry with minors, as the parent has some (limited" rights to know the content of treatment. This may help

Confidentiality in the treatment of adolescents

Beginning with this issue, and continuing every other month, the APA Monitor will feature "Ethics Rounds," in which APA's Ethics Office will answer questions about the ethical issues psychologists most commonly face.

www.apa.org

 

[modestmousktr]

That is a good question! What was your supervisors advice?

 

[pediatric_psydoc]

It does not sound like it meets criteria for breaking confidentiality based on the law (of course it varies slightly by state), but as @WisNeuro said, it is not cut and dry with minors as it relatively is with adults. Take a look at the APA article cited and seek supervision of the person under whose license you are practicing.


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