What is the relationship between student counselors and confidentiality compared to licensed counselors?

What is the relationship between student counselors and confidentiality compared to licensed counselors?

• A. Student counselors have the same ethical obligations to uphold confidentiality
• B. Student counselors have no confidentiality obligations
• C. Student counselors have stricter obligations
• D. Student counselors can waive confidentiality at will

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality in counseling rests on trust and ethical duties that apply to anyone providing services, including students. Student counselors operate under the same ethical standards as licensed professionals and must protect clients’ private information, sharing it only under the same limited circumstances (such as with informed consent, to prevent harm, for abuse reporting, or as required by law). The supervision process does involve sharing some information with a supervisor to support training and ensure competent care, but this is limited to what is necessary and is disclosed to clients as part of informed consent. Clients should know that supervision occurs and how their information may be used, and a student cannot waive confidentiality at will. So, the obligations are the same for student counselors as for licensed counselors.

Confidentiality in counseling rests on trust and ethical duties that apply to anyone providing services, including students. Student counselors operate under the same ethical standards as licensed professionals and must protect clients’ private information, sharing it only under the same limited circumstances (such as with informed consent, to prevent harm, for abuse reporting, or as required by law). The supervision process does involve sharing some information with a supervisor to support training and ensure competent care, but this is limited to what is necessary and is disclosed to clients as part of informed consent. Clients should know that supervision occurs and how their information may be used, and a student cannot waive confidentiality at will. So, the obligations are the same for student counselors as for licensed counselors.