With respect to matters pertaining to confidentiality, psychologists have to make some tough decisions in the course of their careers. The psychological professional practice is governed ethical codes, and one of them is the confidentiality code; confidential information must not be shared with unauthorized people (Pope & Vasquez, 2010, p. 171). In other words, access to such data is governed by informed consent. Only designated persons (those with approved consent) can access such data. Patient impairment is one of the drawbacks when it comes to protecting the patient’s confidentiality.
It is important for therapist to attend to such issues at the beginning of the therapy. This approach makes room for responsible caring on the part of the clinician. Take for instance, a case in which an individual has been impaired by their condition, and cannot offer informed consent with respect to who should inherit their property.
At the beginning of the therapy, the therapist should assess the stability of the patient. It is important to deal with issues of consent and confidentiality from the start of the therapy. For example, the therapist needs to request the patient to provide the name (s) of the person they think should make vital decisions for them in case they are unavailable. In addition, the client ought to provide the conditions under which such decisions can be taken. In other words, such an agreement details what the chosen person can or cannot do, and the circumstances governing such a decision. When a therapist spells out such issues at the beginning of the therapy, they make their future decisions easier. In fact, it is a precautionary measure that avoids future complications associated with issues of confidentiality and informed consent.
Reference
Pope, S. K., & Vasquez, J. T. (2010). Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide. New Jersey, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
