What does the confidentiality exception in psychological counseling mean?

Consultants should strictly abide by their own professional ethics and norms, keep the privacy of visitors (consulting content and related information) confidential, and may not disclose relevant information to any third party without the consent of visitors, except for confidentiality exceptions. According to the professional norms of psychological counselors, when there are some special crisis situations, due to some social and legal responsibilities undertaken by psychological counselors, psychological counselors need to implement confidentiality exceptions as a relief measure in an emergency. This is an obligation that the consultant must fulfill out of conscience and morality, as well as laws and norms. Confidentiality exceptions generally include the following two situations:

(1) If the visitor has or appears a serious attempt to self-harm, in order to avoid adverse consequences as much as possible, the psychological counselor has the obligation and power to contact the relatives of the visitor or notify other relevant organizations.

(2) When the visitor has or has a strong intention to seriously hurt others, based on the possible constraints of relevant laws on this issue, if the counselor judges that this behavior is likely to happen soon and the consequences are extremely serious, the counselor can inform the people related to this injury. The so-called serious harm to others generally refers to the behavior that may lead visitors to bear criminal responsibility.

There is also a situation that cannot be regarded as an exception to confidentiality, but it is necessary to pay attention to the situation related to confidentiality, that is, the consulting case may be used for academic research. In this case, the original case data will be revised as needed, and as an academic norm, the relevant content and information that may lead to the disclosure of visitors' identity will be strictly hidden or changed. There is no need to worry about this visitor. If you really don't feel at ease, you can also ask the consultant or consulting agency to state in the consulting agreement that the case of the visitor will not apply to the published academic reports, papers, etc. , or specify the degree of application.

Different consultants and consulting institutions may have different regulations. For details, please refer to the provisions on confidentiality exception in the agreement issued by the consultant or consulting institution. Generally speaking, as a psychological counselor, even under special circumstances, the main way is to work hard with visitors to solve problems and try not to take emergency rescue measures with confidentiality exceptions. Even if it is strictly judged that the confidentiality exception measures should be taken in time in an emergency, the consultant will strictly control the disclosure of relevant information within the necessary scope and limits.

Except for the confidentiality exception agreed by both parties, if the information is leaked without the consent of the visitor, the visitor has the right to pursue the legal responsibility of the consultant.