Confidentiality in Marital and Family Counseling or Psychotherapy

Abstract

Nowadays divorce has become very easier step to run away from one's responsibility and getting rid from a relationship, even though it is the social and human expense and ethically a wrong deed. Therefore Family and Marital counseling has drawn the special attention by the government in our society. The social mediation has possessed its own importance and value because counseling is the only tool which can hold to the unconditional happenings of divorces. It also serves the duty for the happiness of couple, children and public in general for their future assessment. However, personal reputation and private information also requires the assurance of confidentiality and protection of communication in family and marital counseling.

Introduction

Psychotherapy serves the significant part for the good health of families, couples and relationships. In marital and family life; it is important to keep the matter confidential or to be not disclosed to the third party that what is going on in their personal life. Patient always put their trust on the serving therapist that they will settle out their problems. Professional therapists thus holds the high standard of ethics as the trust placed on them should not be ill treated. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) has introduced the Code of ethics and norms that draws the concentration and proper regulation to the improper and appropriate behavior for family and marriage therapists. The AAMFT committee has designed the command that if a therapist found guilty or abusing the code of ethics, the association has the power to inspect these charges and urge disciplinary actions if it is warranted.

Discussion

Personal mediation is a technique in which an impartial intermediary helps couples considering divorce or separation with realization of future consequences. On the other hand, civil laws provide resolution for solving arguments amid private individuals, counting disputes regarding child, property, family proceedings and the interest of individuals such as personal reputation, privacy and confidentiality. (Jenkins,1997).

In therapy; basic principle relies on confidentiality, beneficiary to both ethical and trust grounds. Confidentiality makes it promising for a relationship to swiftly maintain trust and promote clients independence and self satisfaction based on the guiding principles of ethics. On the other part, it is a legal matter of public interest and privilege stands on the concept of equality and justice. Therefore the law prohibits using the information of the client for their inequitable and personal advantage. Professionals and counseling bureaus must ensure that the data and information given by their clients should be given in confidence and remains confidential and it can only be disclosed in the circumstances allowed by law. (Stewart 2005).

A therapist can divulge client's confidentiality under the severe situations in order to safe third party from harm such as suicide, child abuse or suspected terrorism. Other than that, the law of states warns a counselor to disclose any information unless the written documented permission is provided by the client. However, the law also allows a counselor to disclose the data, ...